Las Vegas offers a unique range of activities to explore nature and relax the body and mind. The adventurer is rewarded with a desert oasis complete with a stream, emerald ponds and waterfalls. For those seeking respite from the heat, a spa visit soothes the soul with massage, music, aromatherapy and healthy nibbles; for the more intrepid, zip-lining or dune buggy racing provides thrills to get the heart pumping.
Find an Oasis
Red Rock Canyon, west of Las Vegas, has 30 miles of trails into the canyons. Locals recommend First Creek trail, known for a fun climb, seasonal ponds and waterfalls. The marked trail head and road side parking is on Charleston Road about two and a half miles past the park's entrance. This on- and-a-quarter-mile trail will lead hikers to First Creek with its seasonal emerald ponds and little waterfalls. Locals advise to stay to the left when hiking in to find the falls. Total hike time: one hour and 30 minutes.
Cool Off in the Mountains
Referred to by locals as Mt. Charleston, Spring Mountains National Recreation Area has 316,000 acres with 51 miles of trails for hikers, bikers, equestrians and hunters, and is located 30 minutes from Las Vegas. Activities include rock climbing, camping, hunting, fishing, skiing and snowshoeing. Summer temperatures are often 30 degrees cooler than Las Vegas. The park encompasses three distinct wilderness areas with variations in elevation up to 6,000 feet. Brownstone Canyon in the La Madre wilderness has prehistoric sites with pictographs and petroglyphs.
Enjoy a Spa Treatment
Kick back and unwind in the cool serenity of a world-class spa. Many of the luxurious resort spas in Las Vegas offer discounts and specials for Las Vegas locals. Discounts for services at the Marriott, The Hotel, Drift Spa at Palms Place Hotel, Grand Spa at MGM and Mandalay Bay Spa are listed on the Stay and Play Special Offer's for Locals website page. A valid Nevada ID is required for all discounts.
Experience the Thrill of Flying
Bootleg Canyon Flightlines provides 1.56 miles of zip-lines in sections that range from 1,150 to 2,550 feet. After a training session, groups are shuttled to the top of Red Mountain, and through a series of line rides, return to the base. While flying through the mountains in a paragliding harness, zip-liners discover new views of Lake Mead, Las Vegas and the Eldorado Valley. Total tour time: approximately two and a half hours.
Fun in the Sand
For the extreme sportsman or woman, racing in the desert in a dune buggy could provide the thrill you need. For those more interested in a breezy experience, landsailing is for you. Vegas Mini Baja Chase provides dune buggies to drivers over 16 with a driver's license. Tours are approximately three and a half hours. Landsailing Tours provide a landsail for riders under 6 feet four inches tall and under 350 lbs. Tour time: approximately four hours. Both tours include pick-up and drop-off.
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