Las Vegas - The Consolidated "Hiking near Las Vegas" thread

My wife and I are flying into Vegas on Friday December 23rd. We arrive at 10 AM, we are planning on renting a car at the airport when we arrive for the day before we check-in (staying at the Venetian) and want to go hiking nearby (1 hr. away or so). Where would you suggest (we are looking for about a 3-5 mile scenic hike) and will the weather be ok?

Also want to go out on Saturday night what clubs/lounges will be going on since it is Christmas eve?

Thanks!

Red Rock Canyon is about 30 minutes off the strip and has a variety of hikes; it's very accessible and pretty, and you can watch the rock climbers at various points along the way. Some hikes take you by Indian Petroglyphs.

You can also go out to Lake Mead, but that is a further drive.

Valley of Fire is not too far either. I've done some great hikes there. Here's the website: http://parks.nv.gov/vf.htm#HIKES

Yes, several places to hike. Red Rock is one, but just like the trails at Mt Charleston, it will be cooler there because of the elevation and mountains. Around the 40's this time of year for this season.

Valley of Fire is about an hour to the NE. Not a bad trip and some good hiking.

Lake Mead is only about 30 minutes away, just take I 15 to 215 E. toward Henderson. At the Fiesta it turns into Lake Mead Pkwy and the rec area is about 7 miles just past Lake Las Vegas. You can go in from Boulder City by Hoover dam, just head south on 93 just before the Fiesta.

Also a new paved trail in Henderson. River Mountain Trail has 10 miles open and will be 35 miles when done. It will make a loop from Henderson around River Mountain into the Lake Mead area and Boulder City. Was on it last trip there, pretty nice.

Info on that and the other trails can be found about 3/4 of the way down this page. It's where I found out about it.

http://members.cox.net/sparky-dog3/links.htm

For Clubs might try Tao at Venetian, Body English at Hard Rock, Tangerine at TI.

I believe Rain, Rum Jungle, Studio 54 and some others will be closed either for the holiday or renovations.

Just wanted to add that we took a 5-mile hike outside of Las Vegas in the vicinity of Mt. Charleston. There are lots of cool trails to hike. This was an enjoyable activity that provides a fresh break from casino valley. About a 40-minute drive.

http://www.hikinglasvegas.com/MtCharleston.html See the link for info. You don't need buy a map. You can get directions to the trail heads just about anywhere.

M8

Another great diversion is Valley of Fire. I'm a sucker for slot canyons. It's about 55 miles from Las Vegas.

Another great diversion is Valley of Fire. I'm a sucker for slot canyons. It's about 55 miles from Las Vegas.

Thanks for the tip on Valley of Fire.

Mary Jane Falls also appears to be a slot type canyon. Water was actually falling at the top of the hike, though this time of the year it is sometimes dry. The hike is characterized by switchbacks that take you up to the top.

Cheers,

M8