Red Rock Canyon
Red Rock Canyon, only a few miles west of the Las Vegas strip, is a desert encompassing 197,000 acres. This beautiful natural landmark in the Mojave Desert features red rocks, over 45 species of mammals, and almost 2,000 species of plants. Interestingly enough, the Red Rock Canyon was once the bottom of the ocean and is a geological point of interest for many geologists and students. Hikes and bike rides are sponsored by private organizations and public services (U.S. Forest Service, Red Rock Canyon Volunteers, Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association and Bureau of Land Management) for hikers and bikers of all levels. You can sign up for their mailing list at Red Rock Canyon's website to be notified about future events.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Clark, NV 89149
(702) 242-2576
www.redrockcanyonlv.org/
Lake Mead
Located four miles southeast of Boulder City and about one hour by car from the twinkling lights of Las Vegas sits Lake Mead, boasting two lakes and over 1.5 million acres of land. Those itching to explore Lake Mead can take short hikes along the trails, plan bike rides, host picnics or barbecues, fish, water ski, camp, canoe or kayak, enjoy the wide variety of animal and plant life, or simply relax in the sun. You can drive though most of the scenery, however, there are parts of the park not accessible by car, so you'll need to think about planning short hikes or bike rides. Stop by the Visitor's Center for more information on the variety of plants and animals found in the desert as well as maps of designated trails and hikes and information on the designated areas for campers. Reservations are required for campers, although the area does provide an array of services for campers such as dumps, grills and bathrooms.
Lake Mead
601 Nevada Way
Boulder City, NV 89005
(702) 293-8990
www.nps.gov/lame/
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe, the place where California and Nevada meet, is a great recreation center for those in Northern California or Nevada. In the winter, patrons can enjoy skiing (both downhill and cross country) and snowboarding, while in the summer a variety of water activities (such as fishing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, water-skiing), camping, hiking and biking can be enjoyed. In addition, there are several golf courses as well as beaches on the lake. Tahoe offers a wide range of activities for any type of outdoor enthusiast, including 11 small towns to shop, dine and relax in after their outdoor adventures. South Lake Tahoe also features several casinos and performance venues where famous bands and comedians are often headliners.
Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority
169 Highway 50/ P.O. Box 5878
Stateline, NV 89449
(775) 588-5900 or (800) AT-TAHOE
www.bluelaketahoe.com/
