[dhpflyn]

I know you can all help me with this question. My family and I are still looking at moving to the area in the next year and I am looking for some fun places to go. Could you suggest some fun places to go with kids? Camping hiking lakes ? Do many people drive to SoCal and hit the beach? Is Tahoe or Donner lake to far? Like I said anynfun things you have done or have heard of is appreciated.

Also living in Texas now knowing camping would be to hottt in the summer but any suggestions will be appreciated


Thanks

[doolish1]

You would leave the woodlands! It's so nice there! In the summer you can do whatever you want as well, just drive about an hour UP and to the west and you will be in perfect weather. So you are wrong about no hiking in the summer.

Vegas area has everything. Within a couple hours you can do anything you want.

[dynimagelv]

for weekend trips winter or summer
Great Basin National Park
ZION Canyon National Parl
Bryce Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park [No. OR So. Rims]
Death Valley National Monument [only in Winter unless you're German]
Yosmite National Park [3 days is better but you CAN do it QUICK in 2 days]

And that's only the National Parks....you have Kelso Dunes in California for Dune Buggy trips BIG Dune up near Lathrop Wells.

And onnnn and onnn and onnnnn....

[dhpflyn]

All sounds great !! Any lakes that you prefer?

[dynimagelv]

not a lake person.....but for waterskiing it cant get better then lake mead

[swagger]

Came across this page while looking for someplace to go this weekend. Hope it helps.

Nevada State and National Parks in the Las Vegas Surrounding Areas

[Buzz123]

All of those things dynimage listed, and much, much more. It's at least half the reason most people live here. Yes you can go to the beach in Cal on a weekend trip if you leave on Friday night. It's better as a long weekend. Tahoe is 400 miles away, Donner Lake is further than that, but driving in Nevada is easy. No traffic, and straight roads. But almost anyplace you go in Nevada outside of Southern Nevada, you'd want to plan a day there and a day back.

In the Spring Mountains, the south loop trail to the top of Mt. Charleston (plus many easier trails in those mountains) is only 30 to 40 minutes away. We like to brag that we snow ski and water ski in the same day here.

Southern Utah is not far, and there is lots of outdoors stuff to do ...Cedar Breaks is a good place to hike, and not too far. That and Bryce might be a little too warm in July/August because you're going down into the canyon, but a horseback ride along the rim at Bryce is fun anytime, as is snow shoeing and X/C skiing along the rim. Navajo Lake is at 9,000 feet, so it's cool in summer and freezing in winter. There are a lot of small lakes for fishing in Southern Nevada and Southern Utah a few hours away by car.

Bryan Head, UT, is only 3½ hours away, and is a very nice ski resort. After a day at the Bryan Head Ski School you'll all be on the lifts and having a ball.

The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is open year round, but it's best to go to the North Rim in summer, as it is 1,000 feet higher elevation, and several degrees cooler (not to mention, son mas bonita). Plus the North Rim gets only about 10% of the tourists that the South Rim gets.

Zion National Park is good anytime of year, and a river runs through it (the Virgin River that is). It's not only one of the most beautiful places on the planet, the little gateway town of Springdale, UT, has one of the best Mexican Restaurants within 400 miles. All of Utah is magnificent for that matter.

There's not a lot between here and LA, but there are a few things. The Tom Sawyer Festival with its Blue Grass Music in Victorville is fun and an easy overnighter. Of course, for the kids and the parents, besides the LA beaches, there is the happiest place on earth ...Disneyland.

Closer to home, there are small fishing ponds at three of the city parks. Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs is the nicest one, but they're all good. No swimming or boating though. Red Rock Canyon is a fantastic place to hike, and is only 20 minutes or so from town. Rock climbers come here from all over the world to climb the cliffs out there. Just beyond Red Rock is Bonnie Springs Ranch, and just beyond that is Spring Mountain Ranch.

Then, of course, here in town we have the Springs Preserve, the Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Cactus Garden, various museums and many parks.

What the kids would enjoy depends on how old they are.

I suggest a Google search of Nevada State Parks, Utah Parks, Las Vegas Parks and Recreation, Clark County Parks and Recreation, Henderson Parks and Recreation, and North Las Vegas Parks and Recreation.

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by swagger

Came across this page while looking for someplace to go this weekend. Hope it helps.

Nevada State and National Parks in the Las Vegas Surrounding Areas

Nice site. They didn't leave much out did they?

[MSchu]

subscribed for some great ideas...

[dynimagelv]

Do a Google search for Calico Ghost Town.....more info then you EVER wanna see