Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge
Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge, in nearby Pahrump, has more than 20 plants and animals that aren’t found anywhere else in the world, including the endangered pupfish. The endangered fish lay their eggs in Crystal Spring, but humans cannot swim in the natural pool. Swimming and boating are allowed only at the nearby Crystal Reservoir. Guests can also enjoy nature trails and picnic areas at Ash Meadows. Many visitors like to come to the refuge during the fall, which is when many birds stop at Ash Meadows for food. The wildlife refuge is 90 miles west of Las Vegas. Office hours at Ash Meadows vary, depending on the number of staffers present.

Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park, off of California Highway 190, has several natural phenomenons that guests should not miss. One of the park’s attractions is the Racetrack, which is a dry lakebed. The famous rolling stones phenomenon starts after rain falls and causes cliff rocks to drop to the desert floor. Winds push the rocks, causing them to roll. Another natural wonder is the Ubehebe Crater, which is a molehill that was created by a volcano. The crater is 800 feet deep and a half a mile across. Death Valley’s visitors center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets costs $10 per car and $5 per motorcycle or bicycle to enter the park. The tickets are valid for seven days. Guests can also buy an annual pass for $20 or an annual National Parks pass for $50.

Hoover Dam
This structure demonstrates the ability to build large projects under challenging circumstances. Thousands of workers spent five years constructing the Hoover Dam. It is a National Historic Landmark. Hoover Dam is 726.4 feet tall and weighs more than 6,600,000 tons. The dam is 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Lake Mead
Visitors can go swimming, hiking, and boating at Lake Mead. The lake is the 16th largest man-made lake in the world and the largest man-made lake in the Western Hemisphere. Lake Mead was created when workers dammed the Colorado River. The National Park Service named this 1.5 million-acre area a national park in 1964. Lake Mead has eight campgrounds, five motels, and seven RV campsites. Its visitors center is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The recreation area is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The entrance fee is $5 per car and $3 for motorcycles and bicycles.

Mount Charleston
This is Nevada’s third-highest mountain peak. Mount Charleston, which is also called Spring Mountain, is 12,000 feet tall. The mountain is famous for its year-round ski resorts and hiking trails. The area around the mountain is also available for camping and picnicking.

Red Rock Canyon National Park
This national park is 20 miles west of Las Vegas. Red Rock Canyon National Park has hiking trails, picnic areas, and wildlife. The park’s main feature is its unusual 3,000-foot tall red rock formations. Geologists believe the rock’s red color is the result of weathered iron composites. Guests can also visit the 13-mile loop that curves through the canyon. Red Rock Canyon’s visitors center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The entrance fee is $5 per car and $2 for motorcycles.

Valley of Fire
The Valley of Fire is Nevada’s first state park. It is named after the fiery red rocks that surround nearby mountains. Guests can also see the rocks up close. There is a two-mile road in the 35,000-acre park where visitors can climb the rocks. Some of the park’s main attractions are the Arch Rock, the Beehives, and the Piano Rock, which are named for the shape of their formations. The Mouse’s Tank is an area where rainwater gathers in a natural rock basin. This park has campsites and picnic areas available. The Valley of Fire is an hour northeast of Las Vegas in Overton. It costs $5 per car to enter the park. Visitors can also purchase an annual pass for $35. The park is open from dawn to dusk.