Las Vegas, Nevada. Jan. 16, 2022.

There are two Vegases. The first is this human-made Wonderland. Artificial cheap elegance plopped right in the middle of the most gorgeous, barren landscape. It almost feels dystopian, like the Restaurant at the End of the World meets Mad Max, with slot machines and giant rum slushies thrown in. 

I didn’t expect to like Vegas as much as I did. I’m not a gambler, and it’s tricky to party in the middle of a pandemic. But there’s something about the City of Sin: all these people from different walks of life, ages and backgrounds converging together in the middle of the desert, searching for some sign of Luck or Good Fortune. 

There’s a lot to recommend in Vegas, and I think every trip will give you a different scene or experience, depending on what you’re searching for. 

For me, the best part was fewer than 30 minutes outside of the city. This Second Vegas might not be on every bachelorette party itinerary, but it’s the first thing I recommend when people ask me about my trip: “If you can, get out of the city for a breath, drive toward the red rocks.” 

Red Rock Canyon is a geological wonder. It rises from the Mojave Desert in the native lands of the Nüwüwü (Chemehuevi), Nuwuvi (Southern Paiute) and Newe (Western Shoshone).  Even if you’ve never hiked a day in your life, I’d urge you to make the 17-mile drive, worth it for the views alone. If you can’t drive, try a ride-sharing option. Both Lyft and Uber will take you for a decent price. You can also rent a car or catch a bus, although I wouldn’t suggest the second option if you want to cruise the entire 13-mile scenic drive. 

Things to Do:

Scenic Drive

If you don’t have lots of time or are with a group of visitors who don’t hike as much, I’d suggest taking the scenic drive at sunset to see the gorgeous displays of light hitting the canyons and mountains. You’ll pass by plenty of overlooks where you can hop off to take pictures or even walk a short trail.

Petroglyph Wall

The perfect option for those who want to do a short trail (takes fewer than 10 minutes) and still see ancient artwork of cultural significance. The conservation area offers plenty of Native American artwork including pictographs. On this trail, you will see several petroglyphs, which are etched into light sandstone and detail vital aspects of ancient desert life.

Day Hikes

For those with more time or who want to really hike, I’d recommend checking out one of the numerous trails and day hikes in the area.

Some popular trails include:

Ash Spring Trail: Distance: 1 mile roundtrip; Average time: ½ hour; Difficulty: Easy

Moenkopi Loop: Distance: 2 miles; Average time: 1.5 hrs; Difficulty: EASY

Calico Hills: Distance 2-6 miles; Average time: 1.5 – 3.5 hrs; Difficulty: MODERATE

Calico Tanks: Distance 2.2 miles; Average time: 2hrs; Difficulty: MODERATE – STRENUOUS 

Turtlehead Peak: Distance 4.6 miles; Average time: 3.5-4.5hrs; Difficulty: STRENUOUS

Keystone Thrust: Distance 2.4 miles; Average time: 1.5hrs; Difficulty: MODERATE

White Rock – Willow Springs: Distance: 4 miles; Average time: 2.5hrs; Difficulty: MODERATE

White Rock Mountain Loop: Distance 6.2 miles; Average time: 3.5hrs; Difficulty: STRENUOUS

La Madre Spring: Distance 3.6 miles; Average time: 2hrs; Difficulty: MODERATE

North Peak: Distance: 11.8 miles; Average Time: 5 hrs; Difficulty: Strenuous

Bridge Mountain: Distance: 15.8 miles; Average Time: 6-7 hrs; Difficulty: Strenuous

Would I go back to Vegas?

Absolutely. Whenever I talk to people about their favorite places they’ve traveled, I always ask this question: “Would you go back there?” I would definitely visit Vegas again. The city has a little something for everyone, and there are plenty of other ecological wonders nearby to explore.

Want to continue your journey through the American Southwest?

Check out: Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest National Park, Southern Arizona and Southern New Mexico.