Most people are planning weekend trips to Las Vegas. But believe it or not, not everyone that lives in Vegas stays in Vegas, and when you live in such a busy place, you have to plan an escape from the city every now and then.
Enter: weekend trips near Las Vegas.
Fortunately, Las Vegas is surrounded by amazing places to visit, and whether you’re looking for quick Las Vegas day trips or places to go for an entire long weekend, you’re sure to find the perfect place to visit.
Here are some of our favorite things to do around Las Vegas.
Joshua Tree National Park
Distance from Las Vegas: 3 hours
First on our list is Joshua Tree National Park. Oddly, this park is often forgotten, but that doesn’t make it any less beautiful and amazing. In fact, this might be one of our favorite parks in the region.
One of the best things to do in Joshua Tree National Park is, of course, hiking. There are tons of great hiking trails throughout the park. One of our favorites is the Hall of Horrors trail, which features tons of great rock formations as well as some amazing bouldering opportunities. Arch Rock Trail is another favorite that we consider a must-do when visiting the park.
In addition to hiking, you’ll also want to make sure to wander the Cholla Cactus Garden, check out an oasis or two, tour Keys Ranch, and stay up late for some of the most incredible stargazing you’ll find anywhere in the country.
Where to Stay
When visiting Joshua Tree National Park in an RV, it’s best to stay in the park itself. There are several great campgrounds in the park, but one of our favorites is Jumbo Rocks Campground. Although you won’t find hookups at any of the in-park campgrounds, you will find plenty of beautiful views as well as easy access to trails and other activities.
Death Valley National Park
Distance from Las Vegas: 2 hours
A short two-hour drive from Las Vegas, Death Valley National Park is another fantastic park that is worth your weekend. Based on its name alone, one might not expect much from this place, but amazingly, the park is actually teeming with life and is absolutely beautiful in the late fall, winter, and early spring.
Wondering what one does while visiting Death Valley National Park? Well, first and foremost, you must get yourself to Dante’s View and take in the amazing scenery. Here you’ll look down on Badwater Basin (the lowest point in the country) and get a good look at the beauty that the park holds. Be sure to take some of the short trails from the parking lot for some different perspectives.
You’ll also want to drive down to Badwater Basin to check it out up close, explore the lumpy salt flats called the Devil’s Golf Course, take the Artist’s Drive to see the amazing Artist’s Palette, and hike through an oasis to Darwin Falls.
Where to Stay
A handful of campgrounds and camping areas are scattered around the national park. Our favorite? Furnace Creek Campground. This NPS campground features some full-hookup sites as well as a dump station, restrooms with flush toilets, and potable water for filling your tank.
Zion National Park
Distance from Las Vegas: 3 hours
Yep, we are adding yet another national park to our list. You see, the beauty of living in Arizona is that you’re surrounded by some of the most gorgeous outdoor spaces in the world, so you really should take the opportunity to visit them. This time we are recommending a visit to Zion National Park.
Easily one of the coolest parks in the country, Zion is one of those places that everyone should visit at least once. That said, you will want to do a bit of planning before you go, as parking is pretty limited (and much of it is paid parking) and there is a shuttle system to learn about before you go.
All that said, your efforts will be rewarded. Zion Canyon is absolutely beautiful and hiking The Narrows is epic. The Canyon Overlook Trail is ideal for those who can’t do long, strenuous hikes, and the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive offers some stunning views. If you have extra time, consider hiking to the Emerald Pools or checking out the Zion Human History Museum.
Where to Stay
It’s always best to stay in the park you’re visiting if at all possible, and in Zion it’s totally possible. Watchman Campground is located inside Zion National Park and is run by the NPS. There are sites with hookups as well as dry camping sites, and restrooms are available. Of course, the location is the best thing about this little campground.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Distance from Las Vegas: 4 hours
Another national park that’s just a short drive from Las Vegas? That’s right! Bryce Canyon National Park is just four hours away—and is well worth the drive. Don’t think a single park is worth that drive? You could always combine Zion and Bryce Canyon to create an incredible weekend getaway you’ll never forget!
Whether you combine the two or not, there are certain things you’ll want to be sure to see and do in Bryce Canyon National Park. For one thing, you will absolutely want to make a pit stop at the visitor center. There, you will find interesting information about the park that will make your visit more engaging.
After the visitor center, we recommend a walk or a hike. An easy option that offers spectacular views is the Rim Trail from Sunset Point to Sunrise Point. Be sure to stop and take in the beauty at each of these points, as well as other points along the way.
Another great option? The Queens Garden Trail, which can be done on its own or in conjunction with the more difficult Navajo Loop Trail.
Where to Stay
Once again, we highly recommend staying in the national park. One great place to do this is North Campground. This campground is great because it can accommodate even the longest RVs. There is a dump station onsite, and potable water is available for filling tanks. Unfortunately, hookups are not present at the campsites.
Grand Canyon National Park
Distance from Las Vegas: 4 hours
Of course, we can’t leave Grand Canyon National Park off the list! This is another one of those parks that everyone should see at some point, and it absolutely deserves a place on your weekend getaway bucket list, especially since it’s just a short four-hour drive from Vegas.
There are tons of awesome things to do in this park, and filling a whole weekend will be a cinch. We recommend starting at a visitor center to get oriented and learn a little about the canyon. If you can, attend a ranger program too. They are really informative and engaging.
Once you’ve done a bit of learning, it’s time to set off on an adventure. For those who aren’t into hardcore hiking, a simple stroll around the Rim Trail is a good place to start. This easy trail will give you lots of good views as you hike around the rim of the canyon.
Looking for a bigger challenge? There are tons of more-challenging trails available, including the well-known Bright Angel Trail (just be sure to pack camping gear for this one, because it will take two days).
Other things to see and do in Grand Canyon National Park include rafting the river, riding the Grand Canyon Railway, visiting the Grand Canyon Skywalk, and taking a day trip to see Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon.
Where to Stay
Trailer Village RV Park is the place to camp in an RV when visiting Grand Canyon National Park. Although it isn’t technically in the park, it is very, very close, and it can accommodate large RVs. On top of that, the campground offers full hookups, something you won’t find at other nearby campsites.
Flagstaff, AZ
Distance from Las Vegas: 4 hours
Prefer to visit a town rather than a national park? Flagstaff might be a good pick. The pace of life in Flagstaff is much slower than in Las Vegas, giving you a nice break from the hustle and bustle. Still, there is plenty to see and do in the area.
Lowell Observatory is one of our favorite places to visit in Flagstaff. It’s where they first discovered Pluto nearly a century ago! Here, you can look through some seriously strong telescopes and learn all about the night sky. Just make sure you visit during one of their nighttime events in order to get the full effect.
Other great things to see in Flagstaff include the Museum of Northern Arizona and the Riordan Mansion State Historic Park. The Walnut Canyon National Monument is also nearby for those looking for a bit of adventure.
Where to Stay
There are lots of great places to park an RV in Flagstaff. One great option is the Flagstaff RV Park. This awesome little campground is a bit tight but comes equipped with all kinds of awesome amenities. These include full hookups, free Wi-Fi, a laundry room, and more!
Los Angeles
Distance from Las Vegas: 4 hours
If you don’t mind trading one bustling city for another, Los Angeles could be a good option. You won’t be getting much rest or relaxation while in this loud, busy place, but you will get a change of scenery, and sometimes the energy of a different city is just what you need to recharge.
It’s impossible for us to list all of the amazing ways one could fill a weekend in Los Angeles, but we’ll try to hit the highlights. Obviously, you will want to get a photo with the Hollywood sign and check out the Hollywood Walk of Fame. If theme parks are your thing, Universal Studios Hollywood is a fantastic option. Griffith Park is also a definite must-see if you get the chance.
Be sure to hit up Venice Beach for a lovely day by the sea, and if you’re visiting with kids, you might plan to spend one day at Disneyland. The Aquarium of the Pacific is another good choice for kids, and a Warner Brothers Studio Tour is a nice pick for pretty much anyone.
Where to Stay
Unfortunately, there are no RV parks in Los Angeles proper. There are several options outside of the city though. One good choice is Golden Shore RV Park in Long Beach. This RV park is in an ideal location near the beach as well as the downtown area. Full hookups are available and there is a swimming pool with a hot tub available for guests.
More Things to Do Outside Las Vegas
Believe it or not, the options listed above are just a fraction of the many things to do outside Las Vegas. Other great ideas for weekend trips near Las Vegas—or even Las Vegas day trips!—include Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and the awesome town of Page.
Of course, an RV will be necessary in order to ensure you stay comfortable no matter where you roam. That’s where our Las Vegas RV rentals come into play. No matter what kind of RV you’re looking for, we have something to suit you. Why not book today so you can start adventuring as soon as possible?
