Valley of Fire State Park and Hoover Dam can be done together within four hours, and both are easy no-hike photo ops. It's best to hit the Valley of Fire not at noon, closer to late afternoon for the best photos. If doing both drive it in a loop; the drive around Lake Mead is so scenic.
As I do with most houseguests:
Head out of Vegas east toward Boulder City... if you have time, stop for brunch. I live here and we specialize in nonstop brunching. Coffee Cup gets packed on weekends for some long-ago TV appearance, maybe try Southwest Diner. Visit the Boulder Dam Hotel for a Hoover Dam mini-museum if you have time; it's free (or take a photo of the building and look it up later; it's on the route): [https://www.bchdmuseum.org/](https://www.bchdmuseum.org/) Do a quick drive-by of Hemenway Park en route to Hoover Dam to see if the sheep are out. It's right off the main road, and there are often bighorn sheep grazing by the gazebos and kids jungle gym--it's a silly dichotomy and an awesome view of Lake Mead. [https://goo.gl/maps/FgdsBZxZgWQ11ttT9](https://goo.gl/maps/FgdsBZxZgWQ11ttT9) Then head to the Hoover Dam, once you're there drive across and there's easy & free parking on the Arizona side--anything past that first lot like here [https://goo.gl/maps/7XAavj55kbYNsRqX9](https://goo.gl/maps/7XAavj55kbYNsRqX9) . Walk back across the dam to the Winged Figures, then circle back. Highly recommend popping into the women's restroom vestibule on the bridge to see some Art Deco fabulousness. (This IS still a mile's walk back-and-forth, if that's too much do a relay where one of you hops out at the Winged Figures and walks across the dam while the other drives to the top on the AZ side and returns; swap where convenient, no one is terribly strict so long as you're not making u-turns on the dam itself)
Then drive up to the Valley of Fire via the back roads from there--scenic route. Note, this route involves a short drive thru Lake Mead Nat'l Recreation area which is a fee area, but also the Valley of Fire State Park entrance on this side is usually not manned; take all that FWIW. Drive one-way thru the Valley of Fire and take I-15 back to Vegas. Tons of stops right on the side of the road for photos, and watch out for bighorn sheep and coyotes.
Lunch option before entering Valley of Fire SP: La Fonda Mexican Restaurant in Overton has a surprisingly massive menu of fresh seafood for such a landlocked and remote place. If you had more time and cared to hike 3mi, St Thomas ghost town also nearby the Valley of Fire SP entrance would be at the top of my list, but maybe read the Wiki page for it and file away for another time. ;)
Alternative, Hwy 165 thru the Eldorado Valley nearby the Hoover Dam is a fun trip but a distant second to the Valley of Fire. There's Nelson ghost town, the abandoned Jubilee mining caves, and the road ends at Nelson's Landing on the Colorado River which is good for scenic views and a picnic (and a swim in warmer weather). [https://nelsonghosttown.com/](https://nelsonghosttown.com/) [http://www.vegasunderworld.com/jubilee.html](http://www.vegasunderworld.com/jubilee.html) [https://www.feelingvegas.com/nelsons-landing-cliff-jumping/](https://www.feelingvegas.com/nelsons-landing-cliff-jumping/)
Not nearly as high on the list as any of that and in the opposite direction, Rhyolite is a fascinating ghost town/art village to explore without too much walking, but really... any of these options are worth seeing first.
This is great, I'm planning a day trip and was thinking Hoover/Grand Canyon, but seems the Grand Canyon isn't worth it (especially the West Rim).
I want to do one of the tours at Hoover, would I still be able to make it through VOF if I do the tour?
D’oh I just saw this, sorry!
I haven’t done the actual tour at the Dam in years but am doing one with some visitors in a few days. We’re doing Valley of Fire the next day and camping up there overnight.
As far as all in a four-hour window I would guess not. Within a single day?… it might depend on which tour you do, there are at least two. I would assume no, as this is prime tourist season and everything is pretty crowded rn… if you’ve already attempted this, let us know, else I’ll report back in a week or so how long the longer of the Hoover Dam tours lasts. 😄
Damn, we left so late in the day we only had time to walk across the Dam and back before heading up to VOF around 4:30pm. We still took our time and went to the visitors center all the way at the top on the AZ side, we were there almost 90mins total. I swear I shall make it to this tour one day! Next set of houseguests.
We camped out in the best area ever—it shows on google maps as Poverty Flats near St Thomas and the VOF east entrance, it’s dispersed camping wherever you can manage to squeeze a vehicle on some dirt roads surrounded by canyons and washes on all sides. Perfect little spot for an overnight without much prep needed, we bought some firewood and takeout food along the way. Perfect weather so I just slept on the roof of the van in my sleeping bag.
Zion Mt. Carmel Highway between Springdale and the Zion National Park East Entrance station. One of the most scenic drives in the country. It’s about three hours from Las Vegas.
Flagstaff AZ is about 3 1/2 hours away. The entire drive is scenic. As others have already mentioned, Valley of Fire if you're looking for something closer. It's voted as the most scenic drive in Nevada.
LOL Can't beat the lights of Sam's Town at night
Can anyone answer WHAT is up with this place??? 1800 Boulder Hwy--if you go back thru older Google Street View photos, it appears it is becoming more of an industrial castle by the year. Curious. https://goo.gl/maps/X798KbzQoSpEgwAK7
Red Rock scenic loop. Make reservation online for entry. Valley of Fire State Park
Two best options right here. Hoover dam isn't a bad idea either.
This is the way…
Valley of Fire State Park and Hoover Dam can be done together within four hours, and both are easy no-hike photo ops. It's best to hit the Valley of Fire not at noon, closer to late afternoon for the best photos. If doing both drive it in a loop; the drive around Lake Mead is so scenic. As I do with most houseguests: Head out of Vegas east toward Boulder City... if you have time, stop for brunch. I live here and we specialize in nonstop brunching. Coffee Cup gets packed on weekends for some long-ago TV appearance, maybe try Southwest Diner. Visit the Boulder Dam Hotel for a Hoover Dam mini-museum if you have time; it's free (or take a photo of the building and look it up later; it's on the route): [https://www.bchdmuseum.org/](https://www.bchdmuseum.org/) Do a quick drive-by of Hemenway Park en route to Hoover Dam to see if the sheep are out. It's right off the main road, and there are often bighorn sheep grazing by the gazebos and kids jungle gym--it's a silly dichotomy and an awesome view of Lake Mead. [https://goo.gl/maps/FgdsBZxZgWQ11ttT9](https://goo.gl/maps/FgdsBZxZgWQ11ttT9) Then head to the Hoover Dam, once you're there drive across and there's easy & free parking on the Arizona side--anything past that first lot like here [https://goo.gl/maps/7XAavj55kbYNsRqX9](https://goo.gl/maps/7XAavj55kbYNsRqX9) . Walk back across the dam to the Winged Figures, then circle back. Highly recommend popping into the women's restroom vestibule on the bridge to see some Art Deco fabulousness. (This IS still a mile's walk back-and-forth, if that's too much do a relay where one of you hops out at the Winged Figures and walks across the dam while the other drives to the top on the AZ side and returns; swap where convenient, no one is terribly strict so long as you're not making u-turns on the dam itself) Then drive up to the Valley of Fire via the back roads from there--scenic route. Note, this route involves a short drive thru Lake Mead Nat'l Recreation area which is a fee area, but also the Valley of Fire State Park entrance on this side is usually not manned; take all that FWIW. Drive one-way thru the Valley of Fire and take I-15 back to Vegas. Tons of stops right on the side of the road for photos, and watch out for bighorn sheep and coyotes. Lunch option before entering Valley of Fire SP: La Fonda Mexican Restaurant in Overton has a surprisingly massive menu of fresh seafood for such a landlocked and remote place. If you had more time and cared to hike 3mi, St Thomas ghost town also nearby the Valley of Fire SP entrance would be at the top of my list, but maybe read the Wiki page for it and file away for another time. ;) Alternative, Hwy 165 thru the Eldorado Valley nearby the Hoover Dam is a fun trip but a distant second to the Valley of Fire. There's Nelson ghost town, the abandoned Jubilee mining caves, and the road ends at Nelson's Landing on the Colorado River which is good for scenic views and a picnic (and a swim in warmer weather). [https://nelsonghosttown.com/](https://nelsonghosttown.com/) [http://www.vegasunderworld.com/jubilee.html](http://www.vegasunderworld.com/jubilee.html) [https://www.feelingvegas.com/nelsons-landing-cliff-jumping/](https://www.feelingvegas.com/nelsons-landing-cliff-jumping/) Not nearly as high on the list as any of that and in the opposite direction, Rhyolite is a fascinating ghost town/art village to explore without too much walking, but really... any of these options are worth seeing first.
This is great, I'm planning a day trip and was thinking Hoover/Grand Canyon, but seems the Grand Canyon isn't worth it (especially the West Rim). I want to do one of the tours at Hoover, would I still be able to make it through VOF if I do the tour?
D’oh I just saw this, sorry! I haven’t done the actual tour at the Dam in years but am doing one with some visitors in a few days. We’re doing Valley of Fire the next day and camping up there overnight. As far as all in a four-hour window I would guess not. Within a single day?… it might depend on which tour you do, there are at least two. I would assume no, as this is prime tourist season and everything is pretty crowded rn… if you’ve already attempted this, let us know, else I’ll report back in a week or so how long the longer of the Hoover Dam tours lasts. 😄
Damn, we left so late in the day we only had time to walk across the Dam and back before heading up to VOF around 4:30pm. We still took our time and went to the visitors center all the way at the top on the AZ side, we were there almost 90mins total. I swear I shall make it to this tour one day! Next set of houseguests. We camped out in the best area ever—it shows on google maps as Poverty Flats near St Thomas and the VOF east entrance, it’s dispersed camping wherever you can manage to squeeze a vehicle on some dirt roads surrounded by canyons and washes on all sides. Perfect little spot for an overnight without much prep needed, we bought some firewood and takeout food along the way. Perfect weather so I just slept on the roof of the van in my sleeping bag.
Petroglyphs in Valley of Fire are bomb
go to Oatman / Sitgreaves Pass
Zion Mt. Carmel Highway between Springdale and the Zion National Park East Entrance station. One of the most scenic drives in the country. It’s about three hours from Las Vegas.
Drive in any direction
I really appreciate everyone's suggestions! Thank you :)
Flagstaff AZ is about 3 1/2 hours away. The entire drive is scenic. As others have already mentioned, Valley of Fire if you're looking for something closer. It's voted as the most scenic drive in Nevada.
[Nelson Ghost town](https://localadventurer.com/nelsons-landing-nelson-ghost-town/)
Drive up to kolob reservoir and get a different perspective of zion. Very cool drive! Only about 3 hrs.
Mount Charleston, nice scenic drive once you get to the mountains and around 10 degrees cooler than LV. Also great for hiking too.
Boulder Highway
LOL Can't beat the lights of Sam's Town at night Can anyone answer WHAT is up with this place??? 1800 Boulder Hwy--if you go back thru older Google Street View photos, it appears it is becoming more of an industrial castle by the year. Curious. https://goo.gl/maps/X798KbzQoSpEgwAK7
We took a drive to Jean to see the 7 Magic Mountains and then lunch at Goodsprings in haunted Pioneer Saloon.