Originally Posted by
amanuensis
Great Basin NP (Nevada's sole national park) is worth seeing.
Concur. But it might strain the definition of "around Vegas" (per the OP's thread title) since it's a 300 mile one-way drive. (It amuses me that there is an exit sign for the park on I-15, even though it's 275 miles-ish from that exit!
Pipe Spring NM is good for a half day.
Concur. Red Rocks canyon or Mt. Charleston would also be nice 1/2 day trips.