If you’re looking for amazing sights to see on a Las Vegas road trip, look no further.
Vegas is great. It’s one of the few places in the world where you can go really go wild and let loose.
But after a few days of it, it can be draining. You start to lose track of time, incur gambling debt and walk around with a constant hangover.
That’s when it’s nice to pack up and recharge your batteries with some of the amazing landscapes surrounding the Vegas area.
Nevada borders Arizona and Utah and is within driving distance to everything from the Hoover Dam to dinosaur tracks.
Those looking for an escape will find a welcome sanctuary in Mother Nature after a week of partying in Vegas.
Here’s a sample itinerary to make the most of a 4-day Vegas road trip.
Day 1: Visit Zion National Park
Zion National Park is famous for several trails, including the Narrows and the gravity defying Angel’s Landing hike.
It’s only about an hour and half outside of Vegas and can be easily reached by car.
Parking fills up early, so try to get there the night before if possible to get an early morning start.
There is a complimentary shuttle service that takes you to and from the different trailheads, and a restaurant midway along the stops.
Note that if you wanted to add additional days to your road trip, this would be a great spot to do so.
Zion is less than an hour and a half away from Bryce Canyon, which could make on easy second stop on the way to Page, Arizona. You can also choose to hike both The Narrow and Angel’s Landing on two separate days.
They can technically be done in one, but it’s not recommended.
After you’re done, start heading east, back into Arizona. Make sure you rest, you’re sure to be wiped after some challenging hikes.
RELATED POST: WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE HIKING ANGEL’S LANDING AT ZION NATIONAL PARK
Day 2: Go to Page, Arizona
Page, Arizona is home to stunning natural beauty.
It has sunset views of red rocks and Horseshoe Bend, a horseshoe-shaped river that has a constant stream of admirers people posed along its perimeter.
You can also visit Lake Powell Tribal Park to see Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, slot canyons on Navajo territory that are highly photographed and in demand.
You can also take a tour of the surrounding canyons, such as Owl Canyon, where if you’re lucky you’ll spot one of the resident owls.
Start with Upper Antelope Canyon and aim for a 10:30am tour so you’ll be primed to capture sunbeam shots.
Then head to the Lower Antelope Canyon tour immediately afterwards. It’s about a 10 minute drive away and there are only two tour providers that grant access.
Finish your day at Horseshoe Bend, beating the sunset crowds while still capturing glare-free panoramic photos.
Once you’re done, head to Williams, Arizona, where you’ll find the most affordable hotels to stay in near the Grand Canyon.
RELATED POST: SHOULD YOU VISIT UPPER OR LOWER ANTELOPE CANYON?
Day 3: Hike The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon was on the cover of Oprah’s Year of Adventure issue, and with good reason.
It’s the most expansive and awe-inspiring place on the West Coast, making you suddenly aware of your size and place in the universe.
It has a way of humbling you, and testing your endurance.
The South Kaibab Trail is a great way for beginner hikers to experience the canyon from within, hiking past Ooh-Ah point to Cedar Ridge and perhaps seeing a mule or two along the way.
There are several lookout points around the visitor’s center area, and you can join the masses there for pictures before leaving if you want to walk around more.
It will seem insanely crowded, however, after you’ve had your moment in the Canyon.
You can choose where to stay tonight. I picked Laughlin because it was centrally located between The Grand Canyon and Vegas and I didn’t want to pay Grand Canyon lodging rates.
My room in Henderson was only $26 for the night compared to my $120 Days Inn rental in Williams.
The main point is that you find a comfy place to rest and celebrate your recent hiking achievements.
RELATED POST: HIKING THE GRAND CANYON SOUTH KAIBAB TRAIL
Day 4: Explore Seven Magic Mountains outside Las Vegas
Take this day to sleep in, have a late breakfast and lounge.
When you’re ready, head to Henderson, Nevada to see Seven Magic Mountains, a temporary art installation on display for a limited time.
If you have time, stop by the High Roller at the Linq Promenade in Vegas for farewell views of the city.
Then, head to the airport and return your rental car, your adventure is over.
RELATED POST: SEVEN MAGIC MOUNTAINS OUTSIDE LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
Four days is plenty of time to explore the Vegas area. If you have more time, look into adding Bryce Canyon in Utah to your list, or stopping by more canyons in and around the Page area.
There is no shortage of amazing road trips in the United States.
I hope this post helps you in your planning. Till next time, safe travels!
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nice post
This place is incredible! I want to go there 😉
wow beautiful place
Wow! these high mountains and the curves of the rocks are so serene and big. I’d be spending my time staring at the abyss that exists from that height.
Oh my gosh. I’m going to Vegas in October. I hope I have time to see the Seven Magic Mountains! Those rock formations look so surreal set against the desert landscape.
We were just at Angel’s Landing. That was a great hike. I did the rim-rim-rim day hike back when I was younger and in better shape. We took Bright Angle both ways but I think it would have been better to head down Kibab and back up Bright Angle. The view are way better coming down on Kibab because you’re in Bright Angle Creek drainage until you’re just about at the river on Bright Angle. Looks like a fun road trip.
Definitely a great starter list. Vegas is a great base camp for a lot of the southwest. I love Valley of Fire about an hour outside of Vegas, it’s a beautiful spot as well!
I’ve seen so many people visiting Zion and the Antelope Canyon in the past few months! The landscape is mesmerizing! The last time I was in Las Vegas, I only visited the Grand Canyon. I need to visit these other places next time!
You’re so right, Vegas sucks the life outta ya! We’ve only been down to Vegas to party, totally missing out in these amazing sights! Wish the currency exchange rate wasn’t so shitty so we can make a trip back out there so we can tick these off our list!
I had no idea there were so many great sites within easy driving distance of Vegas! My husband has been bugging me to get to Zion National Park, so would definitely want to do that. And of course the Grand Canyon is on my bucket list. Great to know about the other two as well!
All these places you had listed here on my to go list in US, especially Zion National Park! I hope I’ll get to see these places soon enough and your itinerary is perfect to plan a road trip!
This is great! It’s great there are so many options to get away from the city life of Vegas should one want to! I’ve been dying to see the art installation – do you know when in 2018 it’s scheduled to be gone
Hi Ashley! Definitely get out there asap, it’s scheduled to come down May 2018!
I really agree with you on this — Vegas can be draining for me after two days or even one! I’ve seen tours go out of Vegas over to Zion and Bryce in Utah, but I hadn’t thought about road tripping from there. Great idea! And also, I really want to see the Seven Magic Mountains — hopefully before it’s too late 🙂
I’m not a huge fan of Vegas, but I LOVE all of the sights that are in driving distance of it. I skip Vegas and spend more time in Zion and the Grand Canyon — two of the most amazing national parks in the USA. This is a great itinerary, though, for folks with a limited amount of time — it’s better to see these places for a short time than not at all.
YAYYYY I did this too! I missed the magic mountains tho which I’m sad about, but we did to Antelope Canyon. I love how you cann hit up so many states in one go!
That’s awesome Katie! I wish I’d had the chance to see more of Utah, but you’re right traveling in between the states on the West Coast was so easy!
I love going on road trips. Sadly I didn’t see any of these on my road trip around California and Vegas. Maybe next time.
Nice article. Las Vegas is a city that beckons visitors from all corners of the world and I think your post provides very valuable information to those who are interested in visiting there.