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I'm planning on going to Vegas at the end of August. I've done Vegas (meaning the strip) a bunch of times so I was wondering if there is anything to do like right outside of Vegas. For example, looking at the map i see red rock canyon national park - is that something I could go visit at the end of august? I wanted to do some hiking/nature-ish stuff but I will be staying on the las vegas strip, so I'm wondering if I need to rent a car or what. Or maybe even Utah? Isn't Lake Tahoe nearby? is it possible to do these things while staying on the Strip? Also will it be too hot at the end of August to do anything like hiking outside?
I can't speak to the heat in August (we went in March) but there is a lot to to outside of the strip. I love the lights and sights but I also like to get away.
We rented a car for the day and drove through Red Rock park. Plenty of places to get out and explore, and we did see many people hiking up the rocks. You don't even know the strip is a stone's throw away - like another world. In my research, I did see that people recommend the Valley of Fire park more than Red Rock, but we just didn't have the time to visit.
We also took one of the desert ATV tours (we used "Sun Buggy" but there are tons of others) and it is a guided tour through the desert on ATV's. The tour was 1.5 hours and groupon has (or at least had) discounted tickets. I would do that again next time I visit.
We only had 3 days there so we were limited in what we could do, but it seems that there is a ton to do if you have the time.
Vegas has been ridiculously hot lately (110ish.) It's a dry heat, but if you are not used to that kind of weather, I would NOT recommend doing any hikes, etc, outside.
Tahoe is a seven hour drive...no where near close. Red Rock is more reasonable...but again, be aware of the heat.
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Utah National Parks are very great and very accessible from Vegas (and will be very HOT in August).
I would be SURE to be at Valley of Fire for dawn / sunrise for at least one morning (1 hr north of LV, on the way to UT parks ... will require a rental car)
Grand Canyon trips are common from LV. Rent a car & go to St George UT, about 90+ minutes away, visit Snow Canyon state park. Rent a boat on Lake Mead?
Of course you are asking us about these outdoor activities when it is commonly 100+ degrees in these areas, this is what you want to do?
I'm planning on going to Vegas at the end of August. I've done Vegas (meaning the strip) a bunch of times so I was wondering if there is anything to do like right outside of Vegas. For example, looking at the map i see red rock canyon national park - is that something I could go visit at the end of august? I wanted to do some hiking/nature-ish stuff but I will be staying on the las vegas strip, so I'm wondering if I need to rent a car or what. Or maybe even Utah? Isn't Lake Tahoe nearby? is it possible to do these things while staying on the Strip? Also will it be too hot at the end of August to do anything like hiking outside?
Thanks.
Valley of Fire State Park is about fifty miles north outside of Las Vegas. It has a series of interesting Indian Petroglyphs. Its certainly worth seeing once.
I have been to the Red Rock Canyon area. Its not a national park. Its something like a national conservation area. Its worth seeing, but its not a triple star attraction either.
Both can be visited in August.
If you have a full day and get an early start, you can drive all the way to Death Valley National Park. A full day is enough to drive to the park and than drive to the major locations within the park. I would characterize these as: Devil's Golf Course; Zabriskie Point; Artist's Palette; and Bad Water (lowest point in the USA).
Beware that it is extremely hot in this park at this time of the year. The temps in Death Valley are literally the highest in the United States. Its been hitting 125 degrees there in the last few days.
Zion National Park in Utah is about 170 miles away. You would have to drive north up I-15 to Hurricane (just north of St. George) and than drive about forty-five miles to the park. I suppose its like Death Valley. If you want to get up early and do it, you could probably fit it into an entire day. Zion is becoming a very crowded national park. You have to park your car and take a shuttle bus through most of the park. Parking is extremely crowded at the visitor center.
Las Vegas is nowhere near Lake Tahoe. You may be confusing it with Lake Meade which is the lake created by Hoover Dam. The dam is worth seeing too if that sort of thing interests you. Lake Meade is not scenic like Lake Tahoe is. BTW, Tahoe is about 250 miles north of Las Vegas and near Carson City.
The temps in Death Valley are definitely the hottest, but plan on weather in the 100 degree range. Yeah, its hot this time of year. Humidity is very low though in this desert climate.
am i thinking of carson city then? lol i'm thinking of something in Nevada that i thought was close to lake tahoe. thought it was vegas but i guess not. sorry!
Oyster Bar in Palace Station casino Way off the strip. A 2 hr+ wait. It is open 24 hrs and even at 3 AM there's a 2+ hr wait. I remember complaining a lot... but then we sat down and ate. I would do those 2+ hours standing on my head! Best New Orleans cuisine outside of NOLA.
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