The Nevada Desert is an area of stunning natural beauty and there are some fantastic scenic routes in the locale. In particular, there are some great drives out of Las Vegas, which can be a good way to get from one stop to the next on a road trip, or provide a day trip out of the city and a pleasant change from gambling and free cocktails! Most of the drives out of Las Vegas are suitable for pretty much any car, from a convertible through to a 4×4, but if you’re planning any off-roading make sure your vehicle is up to the job.

Red Rock Canyon

Red Rock Canyon is a huge national conservation area that is located just outside Las Vegas. It makes for a pretty scenic driving route as it encompasses the fantastic Mojave Desert and the imposing Spring Mountains. It’s possible to take a 20km drive along State Route 159 that goes right around the Canyon and takes in all of its most attractive sites. There is a visitor’s centre along the route for those who want to stop off and learn about local wildlife, as well as the history of the people who have lived in the area. Exploring Red Rock can easily be done in a morning or afternoon

Valley of Fire

Just under 50km outside Las Vegas is the Valley of Fire highway that winds through the Valley of Fire State Park, the oldest state park in Nevada. The park gets its name from the stunning 150 million year old red rock formations that cover the area and glow like fire when the sun rises and sets. 20 ft drops, a ‘Rainbow Vista,’ and ‘Silica Dome’ (a smooth, sandstone hill), make this one spectacular route for a drive, particularly if you can time it so that you are in the Valley of Fire as the sun rises or sets.

Mojave National Preserve

The Mojave National Preserve is around 2 hours south of Las Vegas and a scenic drive here makes for a great break from the flashing lights and synthetic pleasures of The Strip. It can get very hot in this area during the summer months so it’s a good idea to make sure you’ve got a vehicle with air conditioning, particularly if you’re planning to stay out for the day. It’s possible to drive in a scenic loop through the Mojave National Preserve, taking in a number of the local landmarks and much of the distinctive scenery on the way – including lava flows, forests of Joshua Trees, cinder cones and sand dunes.

Lake Mead

If you’re visiting Vegas in summer and you’re gasping for some water then Lake Mead is a great drive just southwest of the city. Head out of Las Vegas on Lake Mead Drive and this will take you out of the Las Vegas Valley and towards the lakes. You can stop off during the drive for a dip on Lake Mead, or Lake Mohave, sunbathe on Boulder Beach, or stop off to marvel at the 700ft high Hoover Dam on your scenic route.

These great drives out of Las Vegas provide a unique way to get to know the local scenery and to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city itself. All you need is the hire of a car and a local map and you can have some adventures in the open air before heading back refreshed to the tables to win your fortune.

Written by John for Alamo – You can pick up car rental Las Vegas with Alamo US car hire