Explore 93 Hiking Trails near Henderson
Ranked by local hikers using actual hike times, parking difficulty, and crowd levels. Includes difficulty ratings, seasonal tips, and trail highlights.
Find Hiking Trails by Type
93 Hiking Trails by Location
When to Hike Near Henderson
Seasonal Information
Summer heat
June–September, valley-floor trails regularly hit 105°F+ with no shade. Several Valley of Fire trails close entirely May 15–Sept 30.
SummerPermits
No permits required anywhere in this series. Red Rock's Scenic Drive needs a timed-entry reservation instead — see Before You Go.
ReservationsBest seasons
October–April for Red Rock, Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. June–September for Mt. Charleston and Lee Canyon, which stay cool at elevation.
Year-round optionsBest time of day
Before 8am year-round, especially in summer. Sunrise or sunset both work well for Strip-view hikes like Frenchman Mountain and Lone Mountain.
Sunrise/SunsetEvery trail has its own page with full details.
Before You Go
Fees
$20/vehicle at Red Rock, $10–15 at Valley of Fire, $25 at Lake Mead. Mt. Charleston, Sloan Canyon, and most city/BLM trails are free.
Reservations
Red Rock's Scenic Drive needs a timed-entry booking Oct 1–May 31, 8am–5pm only. No reservation the rest of the year.
Water & Safety
Carry more water than you think — most trails have zero shade. Flash-flood risk in any canyon-bottom trail, July–September.
How We Rank These Trails
Every ranking on this site starts with official land-manager data — distance, elevation, fees, and current reservation or closure rules straight from the NPS, BLM, USFS, and Nevada State Parks. We layer on our own editorial review of each trail, then fold in real hiker-submitted reports as they accumulate.
- Official source data refreshed each season — fees, permits, reservation systems, and known closures.
- Editorial review of every trail before it's ranked, not just distance and elevation.
- Hiker-submitted time, parking, and crowding reports fold in as they accumulate — currently editorial estimates, clearly marked.
Common Questions
What is the best hike near Las Vegas for a first-timer?
Calico Tanks Trail in Red Rock Canyon — short enough for a half-day, moderate rather than technical, and it ends with a real payoff view most first-time visitors don't expect.
Do I need a reservation to hike in Red Rock Canyon?
Only for driving the Scenic Drive, and only from October 1 through May 31, 8am to 5pm. No reservation is required June through September, or outside those hours.
Which hike near Las Vegas has the best Strip views?
Frenchman Mountain and Lone Mountain Summit are the two locals actually climb for a dedicated Strip skyline view — both under 30 minutes from the Strip.
Are dogs allowed on hikes near Las Vegas?
It varies by trail — check the specific trail's own guide before bringing a dog. Petroglyph Canyon Trail and Cowboy Trail in Sloan Canyon both prohibit dogs despite being excellent hikes otherwise.
What's the best time of year to hike near Las Vegas?
October through April for anything at low elevation (Red Rock, Valley of Fire, Lake Mead). June through September works better for the higher-elevation Mt. Charleston and Lee Canyon trails.
Is there a free hike near Las Vegas?
Yes — Petroglyph Canyon Trail, Frenchman Mountain, Lone Mountain Summit, Cathedral Rock, and the Mt. Charleston trails all have no entrance fee.