Top Wildlife Safaris & National Parks in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
1. Spring Mountains National Recreation Area
A vast wilderness with diverse wildlife and scenic hiking trails, just a short drive from the Las Vegas Strip.
- Wildlife Diversity: Home to bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and black bears.
- Scenic Hiking Trails: Offers trails for various skill levels, including the popular Kyle Canyon Trail.
- Nearby Las Vegas: Easily accessible from Las Vegas, making it a convenient escape from the city.
2. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
A breathtaking desert landscape with unique geological formations and abundant wildlife.
- Desert Wildlife: Hosts coyotes, roadrunners, and rattlesnakes.
- Scenic Driving Tours: Features a scenic 13-mile loop drive with numerous pullouts for photography.
- Climbing Opportunities: Offers opportunities for rock climbing and bouldering.
3. Valley of Fire State Park
An ancient red sandstone landscape with petrified trees, petroglyphs, and native wildlife.
- Petroglyphs and Petrified Trees: Features ancient petroglyphs and petrified trees.
- Desert Wildlife: Home to bighorn sheep, desert tortoises, and various reptiles.
- Hiking Trails: Offers numerous hiking trails with stunning vistas.
4. Lake Mead National Recreation Area
A vast lake and recreational area offering wildlife viewing, boating, and fishing.
- Fishing Opportunities: Provides opportunities for catfish, striped bass, and rainbow trout fishing.
- Wildlife Diversity: Home to bald eagles, bighorn sheep, and desert tortoises.
- Boating and Water Sports: Offers boating, water skiing, and jet-skiing opportunities.
5. Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
A unique desert oasis with diverse wetlands, springs, and abundant wildlife.
- Wetland Wildlife: Hosts a variety of waterfowl, amphibians, and reptiles.
- Rare Plants: Home to many rare and endangered plant species.
- Hiking Trails: Offers several hiking trails with interpretive signage.
6. Gold Butte National Monument
A remote desert landscape with ancient petroglyphs, scenic canyons, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
- Petroglyphs: Features numerous ancient petroglyph sites.
- Desert Wildlife: Home to bighorn sheep, desert tortoises, and various reptiles.
- Scenic Canyons: Features beautiful canyons with opportunities for hiking and off-roading.
7. Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument
A prehistoric fossil site featuring mammoth bones and camel teeth.
- Fossils: Features a vast array of fossils, including mammoth bones and camel teeth.
- Hiking Trails: Offers several hiking trails with interpretive signage.
- Desert Wildlife: Home to desert tortoises, coyotes, and various reptiles.
8. Mojave National Preserve
A vast desert landscape with volcanic cinder cones, Joshua trees, and unique geological formations.
- Joshua Trees: Features the famous Joshua tree forest.
- Desert Wildlife: Home to desert tortoises, coyotes, and various reptiles.
- Scenic Driving Tours: Offers scenic driving tours through the desert landscape.
9. Death Valley National Park (bordering Nevada)
An expansive desert landscape with sand dunes, hot springs, and unique geological formations.
- Sand Dunes: Features stunning sand dunes like Eureka Dunes and Racetrack Playa.
- Hot Springs: Offers hot springs for relaxation and soaking, such as the Ubehebe Hot Spring.
- Scenic Driving Tours: Features scenic driving tours through the vast desert landscape.
10. Zion National Park (nearby Nevada border)
A stunning canyon landscape with towering cliffs, narrow slots, and diverse wildlife.
- Canyon Landscape: Features towering sandstone cliffs and narrow slot canyons.
- Desert Wildlife: Home to bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and various reptiles.
- Hiking Trails: Offers numerous hiking trails with stunning vistas.
11. Grand Canyon National Park (nearby Arizona border)
A vast and awe-inspiring canyon with colorful layers, diverse wildlife, and scenic vistas.
- Canyon Landscape: Features the famous layered red rock canyon.
- Desert Wildlife: Home to bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and various reptiles.
- Scenic Viewpoints: Offers numerous scenic viewpoints along the South Rim.
12. Bryce Canyon National Park (nearby Utah border)
A unique landscape with red rock hoodoos, scenic vistas, and diverse wildlife.
- Hoodoos: Features the famous red rock hoodoos.
- Desert Wildlife: Home to mule deer, foxes, and various reptiles.
- Scenic Viewpoints: Offers numerous scenic viewpoints along the rim.
13. Capitol Reef National Park (nearby Utah border)
A unique landscape with colorful rock formations, ancient petroglyphs, and diverse wildlife.
- Colorful Rock Formations: Features the famous Waterpocket Fold with vibrant colors.
- Ancient Petroglyphs: Offers numerous ancient petroglyph sites.
- Scenic Driving Tours: Features scenic driving tours through the desert landscape.
14. Arches National Park (nearby Utah border)
A unique landscape with over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, scenic vistas, and diverse wildlife.
- Sandstone Arches: Features over 2,000 natural sandstone arches.
- Desert Wildlife: Home to mule deer, bighorn sheep, and various reptiles.
- Scenic Viewpoints: Offers numerous scenic viewpoints along the park's loop road.
15. Canyonlands National Park (nearby Utah border)
A vast desert landscape with deep canyons, scenic vistas, and diverse wildlife.
- Deep Canyons: Features deep canyons like the Island in the Sky.
- Desert Wildlife: Home to bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and various reptiles.
- Scenic Viewpoints: Offers numerous scenic viewpoints along the park's three districts.