As Nevada's largest city, Las Vegas is an internationally renowned nightlife hub and the unofficial capital of gambling. Indeed, hundreds of casinos located in luxury local theme hotels make it hard to think otherwise. However, this city has another attractive travel option. This is an excellent starting point for exploring natural and man-made beauties throughout the state.
Pick up Jeep Wrangler rental Las Vegas for access to some of Nevada's most incredible sights. Majestic canyons, silent deserts, and amazing geysers will allow you to experience incredible nature. Plus, when traveling in a rental car, you will find even more interesting places around. So, if you're ready to start your hot Nevada road trip, check out some of the best spots you shouldn't miss.
Hoover Dam
Hoover Dam is one of the greatest structures of the 20th century and the largest dam on Earth. It took 20,000 people and years of hard work to build the dam. Many travelers come there to admire the grandeur of this place. Hoover Dam is located 38 miles from Las Vegas, and you need about 40 minutes to get there by rental car.
The dam cuts off the Colorado River in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison and provides water to Southern California. The dam got its name in honor of the author of the project for its creation – Herbert Hoover.
Today, excursions are held at the dam. You can learn its history, watch a movie about it, and even visit the engine room. The observation deck offers panoramic views of the Colorado River, manufacturing facilities, and Lake Mead, which is the largest reservoir in the United States.
Red Rock Canyon
Red Rock Canyon is a very ancient place that was under the ocean water 600 million years ago. Then, 250 million years ago, the earth began to rise, and rocks of salt and gypsum were formed above the water.
The canyon's unique red hue is caused by oxidation as a result of the displacement of rocks from the ocean floor. So, this place got its name precisely because of the red color of the rocks. The reserve is located at a distance of about 16 miles away from Las Vegas and stretches in length for several miles. By the way, there’s a road between the rocks, and it would be a great idea to drive along it in your rental car. Along the way, you will find several viewpoints to stop and take some fantastic photos.
Valley of Fire
This is one of the oldest parks in Nevada. It’s located an hour's drive from Las Vegas, making it easy to reach with your rental car. The gorgeous red rocks of this valley were formed tens of millions of years ago. Looking at the park in the bright light of the sun is a wonderful sight. Depending on the shape and location of the rock, the color palette expands from light yellow to reddish-brown.
While traveling through the Valley of Fire and admiring the unique rock formations, you may be lucky enough to see the rock paintings of Indian tribes who lived in these places many years ago. You won’t leave the valley without a sense of spirituality from touching the history of the Earth.
Fly Geyser
The beauty of Nevada's Black Rock Desert doesn't end with unearthly landscapes. You can also meet plains with geysers and geothermal springs on its territory. One of them is the Fly Geyser. It’s located on the territory of a private ranch, the owner of which once wanted to drill a well and came across hot springs.
After some time, the Fly Geyser became the most famous local sight, and now it attracts a large number of travelers year by year. In order to see the geyser at close range, you will need to negotiate with the rancher. The source has been growing for over 100 years and is still increasing in size.
Fly Geyser has a beautiful color as a result of algae, bacteria, and mineral salts dissolved in water. While observing the source, you can even see a small fish in the cascading multi-colored pools around the geyser.
Grapevine Canyon
This canyon is located near the town of Laughlin, 92 miles away from Las Vegas. This means a rental car is a great way to go there for a 1-day trip. On the rocks of the canyon, you can observe many petroglyphs that were painted by the ancient Indians of the Mojave tribe.
Thanks to the spring water, there’s a lot of greenery in the territory of the Grapevine Canyon. This creates a certain contrast with the nearby Mojave Desert. Most travelers like to go hiking in these places in late autumn or winter. Even during this period, the air temperature in the canyon is quite high, so it’s recommended to stock up on a couple of bottles of water.
Eldorado Canyon
This legendary location is also within driving distance of Las Vegas. In the era of the gold rush in America, the coordinates of the canyon were kept secret, which gave rise to many rumors and legends. Everyone thought that only a lucky man could find his way to Eldorado.
However, in the modern world, it won’t be difficult to visit this mythical place. You just need to rent a car. In Eldorado Canyon, you will have the opportunity to listen to fascinating stories about bandits and brave cowboys, visit gold mines, and plunge into the atmosphere of the Wild West.
