Visiting Vegas and looking for more to do than the usual Vegas hot spots? Want to experience some spectacular desert sunsets outside the city? Hop off the Las Vegas strip for a respite from the crowds, lights, and craziness, for some fun outdoor adventure in this immaculate desert landscape.
An hour outside of Las Vegas and only six miles from the beautiful Lake Mead, The Valley of Fire State Park is the very oldest and largest state park in Nevada. With 3,000 year-old Indian petroglyphs, ancient trees, and petrified wood, the Valley of Fire is a great place for photography, picnics, hiking, camping, and more. The red sandstone formations that make up the present landscape are what remain from a time when dinosaurs roamed the region. The scenic great sand dunes have shifted, followed by the uplifting and faulting, and then extensive erosion, over the centuries. There really is no other place quite like it and it draws those people seeking refuge from the glam and glitter of Las Vegas. This Valley of Fire is a pre-historic place that was named for the vibrant colors of sandstone that populate it to this day. Stop by the Visitor Center for information on routes, plant and animal life, history, and facilities available.
Just 30 minutes off the strip, in Boulder City, visit the Flightlinez Bootleg Canyon and fly at speeds of up to 50 mph. Choose from four separate zip lines, to soar over the Mojave Desert, for a bird’s eye view of the gorgeous desert valley below. Sitting in a paragliding harness that is suspended from cable wires, visitors fly from the top of Red Mountain and gain a whole new perspective of the stunningly brightly-colored mountains and remarkably expansive skyline all around. The knowledgeable tour guide offers fascinating facts about the area, including its natural and cultural history.
After your respite is through, head back to “civilization” and the loads of fun that Sin City offers to all its visitors–welcoming them with open casinos and buffets galore.
