Explore 80 Hiking Trails near Las Vegas
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
Best hikes near Las Vegas
Fifteen trails within about an hour of the Strip, ranked by overall quality, with an at-a-glance comparison table and links to each trail's full guide. Explore
Short hikes near Las Vegas (under 2 miles)
Twelve trails near Las Vegas under 2 miles round trip.... Explore
Best hikes near the Strip
Ten hiking trails all within about 30 minutes of the.... Explore
Best hikes in Red Rock Canyon
Twelve trails inside Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, ranked.... Explore
Hardest hikes near Las Vegas
Ten of the toughest trails within reach of Las Vegas,.... Explore
Best family hikes near Las Vegas
Nine trails near Las Vegas picked specifically for families —.... Explore
Accessible and adaptive trails near Las Vegas
Ten trails near Las Vegas rated for wheelchair and stroller.... Explore
Where to hike near Las Vegas in summer
Ten trails near Las Vegas that stay genuinely comfortable in.... Explore
Best winter hikes near Las Vegas
Ten trails at their best during winter's comfortable temperatures —.... Explore
Free hikes near Las Vegas
Ten trails near Las Vegas with zero entrance fee, including.... Explore
Dog-friendly hikes near Las Vegas
Ten confirmed dog-friendly trails near Las Vegas — and a.... Explore
Best Strip-View Hikes Near Las Vegas
Six hikes near Las Vegas with a genuine Las Vegas.... Explore
Best Waterfall Hikes Near Las Vegas
Five hikes near Las Vegas with a real seasonal waterfall.... Explore
80 Hiking Trails by Location
When to Hike Near Las Vegas
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.