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Las Vegas is the mecca of glitz, glam and good times but located just beyond the city limits awaits a different kind of adventure.
From the red clay ravines of the Grand Canyon to the party boats on lake Havasu there is no shortage of the great outdoors surrounding sin city.
Desert adventure inspiration below!
Red Rock Canyon
Located only twenty minutes East of the Las Vegas strip, this is an easily accessible activity for those not looking to stray too far from the Las Vegas action. There are 26 hiking trails throughout the conservation area that range from easy to difficult as well as plants, wildlife, geology, campgrounds and stunning views. Hiking isn’t really you’re thing? That’s okay! Turn on some good tunes, roll down the windows and enjoy the 13-mile scenic drive through the canyon!
Seven Magic Mountains
A large-scale desert artwork comprised of seven boulder towers that reach over 35 feet tall. This colorful art installation is created to encompass that natural beauty of the desert mountain backdrop and the artificial aspect of the heavy traffic highway. This is a fun few hours spent taking pictures with your friends and admiring the work of Swiss artist, Ugo Rondinone. Don’t wait too long to make your to the Seven Magic Mountains… It will only be on view until Spring of 2018!
The Hoover Dam
A piece of history, powerful energy source and colossal beauty, the Hoover Dam is a treat to visit. Walk across the bridge for some stunning views or take a guided tour for a more in-depth history lesson. Being only 40 minutes outside of Vegas, the Hoover Dam comes as a strong recommendation by many, myself included! I’ve literally been there SIX times this year. It’s a (Hoover) dam good time!
Lake Havasu
If you’re looking to stretch your wings a bit further while on your desert excursion you might want to consider one of Arizona’s top rated tourist attractions; Lake Havasu. 2.5 hours South of Vegas on the border of California and Arizona is where you will find this gem. Stay in a cabin, rent a boat, hike, fish, enjoy every water sport imaginable and (the best part) have fun! This is the ultimate socializing-let-loose-have-a-good-time-in-the-great-outdoors spot for you and your friends!
Grand Canyon West
Time to check off another one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World; The Grand Canyon! Grand Canyon West is located on the Hualapai Indian Reservation on the very West rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. It’s an easy (and beautiful!) two hour drive from Vegas. The trip can be done in a day but you do have the option to stay the night in a cabin on the reservation, which I highly recommend. Waking up to the sunrise kissing the raw land of the Grand Canyon is incredible and you can take your time enjoying the helicopter tour, river tour or bus tour throughout the reservation.
Zion National Park
Calling all nature lovers! Zion National Park is a remarkable, 148,000-acre stretch of land and the oldest state park in Utah. This enchanting area is filled with picturesque world-renowned points of interest like “Angels Landing,” “Cathedral Mountain” and “The Narrows.” Zion National Park is around 2.5 hours from Vegas and it is one of several national parks in Utah including Bryce Canyon National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. All of these are stunning expanses of land that offer their own take on beauty.
Our lives quickly become the embodiment of busyness, to-do lists and constant stimulation. As we’ve grown up we’ve traded our childhood outdoor playtime for traffic and desk cubicles. Hey, that’s okay… In some way or another we all do it. We’ve got goals to meet and we work hard for the things we have, but we should remember to devote some time to self-love and love for what’s around us!
“When your world grows dark and your soul feels heavy.
Rise up to meet the sky, spend the night with infinity.
Let the universe wrap it’s arms around you as you draw courage from the stars.
Rest your weary head on hope and know that you are loved, for love is everywhere.”
-Christy Ann Martin
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