Looking for a family Las Vegas road trip itinerary?
Las Vegas is famous for its vibrant nightlife and glamorous casinos, but there is much more to explore beyond the city limits. I would even recommend getting out of the Strip if you’re visiting with children and exploring the beauty of the city surrounding.
We just came back from an amazing campervan Las Vegas road trip and it’s 100% the highlight of our trip. It’s not the Strip, the free lights shows and the extravaganza of the hotels, but our adventures around the city.
In this article, I’ll take you on a 7-day road trip from Las Vegas to some of the most picturesque destinations near Las Vegas, including:
- the Valley of Fire,
- Lake Mead,
- Red Rock Canyon,
- Nelson Ghost Town,
- the Hoover Dam
- and more
Disclaimer: Just a heads up, this free article contains affiliate links. If you purchase after clicking one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost. Also, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Your support helps me continue to provide helpful and free content for you.
A Few Things to Know When Planning a Family Las Vegas Road Trip
Consider renting a campervan
While you can make this 7-day road trip from Las Vegas with a car rental and hotel bookings, I highly recommend renting a campervan instead.
We rented a Del Mar family campervan from Escape Campervan and it was amazing. We didn’t see many hotels near Vallet of Fire and Lake Mead, and options are really limited to the other area. Most likely, you would have to drive back and forth from Las Vegas, which is not ideal.
»» Consider renting a campervan and read our in-depth review of Escape Campervan.
[wptb id=24039]Plan on warm temperature
We visited at the beginning of April and had temperatures over 100°F a few days (around Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam).
You’ll want to pack lots of water and put sunscreen on regularly. Don’t forget your sun hat and UV clothes. The kids had their SwimZip sun hats and rash guard on.
Also, plan on doing hikes early in the morning and enjoying the water or shade at pick temperature time.
Note that lots of places close during the hot summer months, from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Extend your trip a little to visit Las Vegas and the Strip
In this road trip from Las Vegas itinerary, there is not much time for Las Vegas and The Strip itself. So, you might want to add a few extra days at the start or at the end of your trip to explore the Sin City.
While it’s not the most kid-friendly city, you’ll find LOTS of kids’ activities and attractions.
An Epic Family Las Vegas Road Trip for Nature Lovers
Here is your 7-day road trip from Las Vegas.
Day 1: Seven Magic Mountains & Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Start your visit day at the Seven Magic Mountains.
Seven Magic Mountains
The Seven Magic Mountains is a large-scale public art installation located in the desert outside of Las Vegas, Nevada. It consists of seven brightly-colored towers of stacked boulders, standing over 30 feet tall.
To get to the Seven Magic Mountains from Las Vegas, you’ll follow to sign to. Interstate 15 (direction to Los Angeles), and you’ll see signs for the Seven Magic Mountains. It’s about 10 miles south of Las Vegas. There is no parking or entrance fee. It’s all FREE.
The installation was created by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone and was opened to the public in May 2016. The brightly colored rocks stand out starkly against the desert landscape, and the installation has become a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
It was originally intended to be on display for two years, but due to its popularity, it has been extended several times and is now expected to remain in place until at least 2027.
I recommend visiting early in the day as it gets really crowded.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
When you are ready, slowly drive to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
From the Seven Magic Mountain, it’s a 37-mile drive. It will take you about 45 minutes. Red Rock Canyon is known for its towering red sandstone cliffs and scenic hiking trails. The area is home to a wide range of wildlife, such as desert tortoises, bighorn sheep, and golden eagles.
To visit Red Rock Canyon between October 1 and May 31, you’ll need to get a timed-ticket entry reservation. It can be purchased online. Note that America is Beautiful pass is accepted, but you’ll still need your reservation ticket and to pay the reservation fee ($2.00).
If you don’t have the national park pass, then it’s a $20.00 entrance fee per vehicle.
Start your visit with a stop at the visitor center to learn about the area’s geology, ecology, and history. It’s also at the visitor center, you can ask for the Junior Ranger Book (or you can print the online one here).
From there, drive to the Scenic Drive, a 13-mile loop that takes you through some of the most picturesque spots in the area. You can stop at several viewpoints along the way, such as Calico Hills, Red Rock Overlook, and Willow Springs.
Take your time and enjoy each viewpoint. There are hiking (and climbing) opportunities everywhere along the way. Our kids loved climbing through the rocks at the Calico I stop (the first viewpoint on the Scenic Drive).
There are several hiking trails in the area, such as the Calico Tanks Trail, which takes you through a slot canyon and past ancient petroglyphs. The Ice Box Canyon Trail is another popular hike that takes you through a narrow canyon with stunning waterfalls and rock formations.
Where to Sleep near Red Rock Canyon
End your day at the Red Rock Canyon Campground. It’s located two miles east of the visitor center.
Day 2: Valley of Fire State Park
Wake up, have a good camping breakfast (We love overnight oat), and drive to the Valley of Fire State Park. It’s a 67-mile drive. It should take you a bit more than 1 hour if you don’t stop along the way.
The Valley of Fire State Park is known for its stunning red sandstone formations that were created by shifting sand dunes 150 million years ago. There are several hiking trails in the park that offer breathtaking views of the landscape.
You’ll arrive at Valley of Fire from the West entrance. You can stop at Beehives, Petrified Logs Trail (a 0.25-mile trail), and Atlatl Rock. Then, follow the sign to the Visitor Center.
At the visitor center, there’s a small display/museum where you’ll learn about the park’s geology, ecology, and history. Don’t forget to ask for the kids’ Junior Ranger booklet. You can also do the short Balancing Rock Trail, a 0.1-mile little loop. My kids also loved just climbing on the big rock formation just by the visitor center.
When you’re ready, drive on the Fire Canyon Road, where you’ll want to make many stops for hikes and breathtaking viewpoints such as:
- Mouse’s Tank Trail: a 0.75-mile out-and-back trail.
- Rainbow Vista: where you can see the famous image of the Valley of Fire road. To get to the viewpoint, you’ll need to park in the Rainbow Vista parking lot. Then, you’ll walk across the street and walk on the rock to the big boulder, where you can take a few amazing pictures.
- Fire Canyon Overlook
- Fire Wave Trail: a moderate 1.5-mile hike that leads you through colorful sandstone formations.
- White Domes Trail: a 1.1-mile loop that takes you through a slot canyon and past ancient petroglyphs.
When you are ready, you can head back past the Visitor Center and continue toward the East entrance of the park. Don’t miss the Seven Sisters viewpoint and Elephant Rock (where you can take a picture of the “Greetings from Valley of Fire State Park”).
Where to Sleep near Valley of Fire
You can try to stay at the campground within the state park. There are two campgrounds with a total of 73 campsites, but they are all first-come, first-serve. I would thus recommend stopping by the campgrounds as soon as you get into the park to see if there are some spots available.
We didn’t get any spots, so we drove to Echo Bay Lower Campground in Lake Mead National Recreation Area. It was a nice campground (no hook-up, no water, no electricity) with lots of shade and lake access nearby.
Day 3: Boulder Beach, Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Today, you’ll discover another section of Lake Mead National Recreation Area. You’ll drive from Echo Bay to Boulder Beach.
Take the morning easy, and enjoy the campground. You can also drive to the lake. Then, drive to Boulder Beach.
Boulder Beach
Boulder Beach is located just outside Boulder City, which is a cute little town with a few museums and playgrounds for the kids, such as:
- Nevada State Railroad Museum Boulder City
- Hemenway Park and playground
Then, go to the Lake Mead area. The lake is surrounded by stunning desert scenery and offers a wide range of activities, such as swimming, boating, hiking, and fishing.
Historic Railroad Hiking Trail
You can start your visit with a stop at the Alan Bible Visitor Center to learn about the park’s history and attractions. Then, if it’s not too hot, you can hike the Historic Railroad Hiking Trail. It’s 30+ miles of the trail system that takes you along the path of a former railway line. You’ll go through tunnels and have beautiful views over Lake Mead.
You can walk as long or as short as you want.
End your day at Boulder Beach. The North or the South swim beaches are great for families. I think we went to the North one. Bring water shoes, as it’s pretty rocky.
Enjoy the rest of your evening at the campground.
Day 4: Hoover Dam, Route 66, Williams
Start your day with a visit to the Hoover Dam.
Hoover Dam
You can go by yourself or take a guided tour. You can also take a boat tour of the lake to get a different perspective of the dam and the surrounding landscape.
If you visit by yourself, don’t miss the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. It’s a pedestrian bridge that spans the Colorado River. The bridge offers breathtaking views of the dam and the surrounding area. Make a small detour to the Lake Mead Overlook on your way out.
On a guided tour of the dam, you’ll learn about its history, construction, and operation. The tour takes you through the power plant, the dam’s interior, and the observation deck, which offers stunning views of the surrounding area.
Route 66 & Williams
Then, it’s time to drive to Williams, Arizona. It’s a 200-mile drive. I recommend taking the Historical Route 66 instead of the main highway.
In Williams, you’ll want to stop at Wild West Junction. Kids will also love to visit Bearizona.
Bearizona is a wildlife park located in Williams, Arizona, where you can see a variety of North American animals up close, including black bears, wolves, bison, elk, and more.
The park offers two distinct areas for visitors to explore:
- the drive-through area and the walk-through area: You can drive through the park and observe animals in their natural habitats from the safety of your own vehicles.
- the walk-through area: it’s a separate section of the park where you can park and explore on foot. You’ll see smaller animals, such as otters, foxes, and porcupines, as well as attend live animal shows and presentations.
Where to Sleep in Williams/Grand Canyon:
If you’re looking for a unique stay, I would recommend glamping at Wander Camp Grand Canyon.
Wander Camp Grand Canyon is a luxury camping experience located just outside of the Grand Canyon National Park. It’s 15 miles from the South Entrance of the Grand Canyon and 15 miles from Williams.
It’s a unique way to experience the Grand Canyon wilderness while still enjoying a bit more comfort than regular tent camping. Wander Camp Grand Canyon offers luxury glamping tents
Day 5: Grand Canyon South Rim
Spend the entire day exploring the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Start at the Visitor Center, where the kids can get their Junior Ranger Books. Then, you can hike a section of the Rim Trail (Map here).
Then, head to the Bright Angel Trailhead and hike down this fairly easy trail. I would recommend not going past the 1½-Mile Resthouse when young children. It would be a 3-mile (4.8 km) roundtrip hike with a 1,120 feet (340 km) elevation change.
End your day exploring the scenic Hermit Road. Note that it can only be accessed by the free Hermit Road (Red Route) shuttle bus, on foot, or bicycle from March 1, through November 30, of each year. There are 9 viewpoints (and bus stops) along this beautiful road.
Looking for a unique experience? Park your car at the Train Depot in Williams and use the Grand Canyon Railway Train ride. It’s $67.00 per adult and $32.00 per child.
Where to Sleep in Williams/Grand Canyon:
You can go back to Williams for the night or camp directly at Grand Canyon.
Day 6: Route 66 and Willow Beach
If you have more time, you could extend your trip to visit Utah’s National Parks including Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.
It’s time to drive back closer to Las Vegas, with a few more exciting stops.
Willow Beach & Emerald Cove
Willow Beach is 175 miles away from Williams or 235 miles away from Grand Canyon South Rim.
At Willow Beach, you’ll want to enjoy the Colorada River. It’s a great place for paddle boarding or kayaking. You can also take part in a guided kayak tour to Emerald Cove.
»» Learn more about this Emerald Cove Kayaking tour ««
Where to Sleep in Willow Beach:
You can stay at the Willow Beach Campgroud, or you can go back to Boulder Beach Campgroud.
Day 7 Nelson Ghost Town, Henderson & Las Vegas
This is the last day of our 7-day road trip from Las Vegas, and it’s a busy day.
Nelson Ghost Town
Start your day with a little detour to Nelson Ghost Town. It’s an abandoned gold mining town. You’ll see lots of abandoned buildings, vintage cars, and other artifacts from the mining era.
You can explore the town’s old buildings and structures, such as the Techatticup Mine. It’s the oldest and richest gold mine in southern Nevada. The mine offers guided tours, where you’ll learn about the history of the mine and see the equipment and machinery used in gold mining operations.
Through your visit, you’ll have a little glimpse into life in the Old West.
Be careful. There are lots of cacti in the area. Plus, during the summer heat, you can find lots of rattlesnakes, so keep your kids close.
When you’re ready, drive back into Las Vegas.
Henderson
Stop in Henderson for two fun kids’ activities.
First, you’ll want to see the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve. It’s a nice calm bird preserve where you can walk around and see different birds. Plan for an hour at least to walk around.
Then, head to Ethel M Chocolate Factory & Cactus Garden. You can walk around in the Cactus Garden and do a tour of the chocolate factory (and of course taste some yummy chocolate).
Final Thoughts: Las Vegas Road Trip
A road trip from Las Vegas to the nearby attractions can offer a memorable and adventurous experience. The Valley of Fire, Lake Mead, Red Rock Canyon, Nelson Ghost Town, and the Hoover Dam offer stunning natural beauty, rich history, and unique attractions.
Whether you’re interested in hiking, sightseeing, or learning about the area’s history and culture, there is something for everyone on this road trip.
I recommend doing this Las Vegas road trip with a campervan. If you’re looking at a campervan rental company, I highly recommend Escape Campervans. It’s with one of their campervans that we did our trip.
So, pack your bags and hit the road for an unforgettable journey through some of the most picturesque spots near Las Vegas.
