10 Weekend Road Trips Outside of Las Vegas

Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world, is more than just neon lights and slot machines. In fact, for those with a spirit of adventure, it’s the perfect launchpad for incredible weekend camping trip destinations! If you’re looking to swap the chaos of the Strip for peace, quiet, and fresh air, there’s no better way of exploring than by renting a campervan in Las Vegas, giving you the freedom to hit the open road and have a safe, comfortable place to call home, no matter where you’re headed.

But once you’re in the driver’s seat, where exactly should you go? The options are endless, but to make planning your vacation that much easier, we’ve put together a list of the best weekend road trips you can make straight out of Vegas. Below, you’ll find information on where to go, what to do, and even the best places to park your RV for a couple of nights.

Ready to hit the road? Let’s see what’s out there!

Valley of Fire State Park

Nevada

Distance from Las Vegas: 46 Miles

Less than an hour northeast of Las Vegas, Valley of Fire State Park is Nevada’s oldest and largest state park, and definitely one to visit if you’re a nature lover. It takes its name from the amazing red sandstone formations formed over 150 million years ago that light up like fire, especially at sunset.

The Fire Wave Trail is a particular favorite for visitors here, a short hike that rewards you with a striped rock formation resembling a frozen wave. White Domes Trail is another great hiking choice, and it offers you a bit of everything, from slot canyons to panoramic views, while Mouse’s Tank Trail is better if you’re looking for an easy walk that passes through petroglyphs etched by Native Americans. Likewise, Rainbow Vista is another quieter option and is the perfect spot to sit back and enjoy the views.

When it comes to finding a place to spend the night, Atlatl Rock Campground is an excellent place to pull up. The 22 sites here are spacious, and there are electric and water hookups, flush toilets, and showers. You’ll also find picnic tables and fire pits (perfect for unwinding and getting that true camping experience at the end of the day), and it’s only 15 minutes away on foot from Atatl Rock itself, where you can climb a set of steps and see the ancient petroglyphs up close.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Nevada

Distance from Las Vegas: 20 Miles

Just 20 miles from Las Vegas, Lake Mead National Recreation Area is the place to go if you love watersports or are simply looking for a refreshing escape from the desert heat. The reservoir here was formed by the Hoover Dam, and it offers you the opportunity to enjoy an afternoon of kayaking, canoeing, or paddle boarding on calm waters surrounded by hidden coves waiting to be explored.

Prefer to keep your feet firmly planted on the ground? The Historic Railroad Trail is a family-friendly hike with incredible views of Lake Mead and tunnels that once carried supplies to build the dam. Also, if you’re visiting during the summer, cooling off with a swim at Boulder Beach is a must!

Lake Mead RV Village is the place to set up camp when you’re exploring this corner of Nevada. It’s only five minutes away and has full hookups, level pull-through sites, and stunning lake views on offer. There are also laundry facilities, restrooms with showers, and even a swimming pool, a hot tub, and free WiFi to take advantage of. Not to mention, the night skies here are amazing due to the lack of light pollution, giving you the perfect opportunity for some stargazing or astrophotography.

Hoover Dam

Nevada

Distance from Las Vegas: 36 Miles

An engineering marvel built just after the Great Depression, the Hoover Dam is a must-see destination that is around 40 minutes from Las Vegas. You can take a guided tour around the dam to learn more about its history and see the massive turbines up close, as well as walk across the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial bridge, which spans the Colorado River and offers amazing photo opportunities.

Once you’ve explored the Hoover Dam in all its glory, a 5-minute drive will take you to Goldstrike Canyon and its awesome hiking trails. Or, for the chance to spot some wildlife and get a truly immersive nature experience, you’re just 12 minutes from the River Mountains Loop.

Obviously, you can’t set up camp in the Hoover Dam, but Willow Beach Campground & RV Park is an excellent choice. It’s only 30 minutes away and has 28 full-service RV sites that include water, sewer, and electric hookups, as well as fire rings, picnic tables, laundry facilities, and 24-hour toilet and shower facilities.

Mount Charleston / Spring Mountains National Recreation Area

Nevada

Distance from Las Vegas: 42 Miles

Just 45 minutes from Las Vegas, Mount Charleston is a cool oasis in the desert and a part of the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area. This is the place to head if you’re looking for a way to escape the desert heat, as the crisp mountain air provided by 11,000 feet of elevation in this area will keep you cool while still providing you with some amazing views and opportunities to explore forests.

The Mary Jane Falls Trail is a very popular hike here, which is only 5 minutes away, and gives you the chance to see a seasonal waterfall surrounded by beautiful wildflowers and rock formations. Or, if you’re looking for something a little more challenging, a 5-minute drive takes you to the Griffith Peak Trail, where you can explore caves and take some incredible photos of the mountain views. Also, if you’re traveling during winter, Mount Charleston itself is transformed into a snowy wonderland that is perfect for sledding, skiing, and snowshoeing.

For camping, Fletcher View Campground is a fantastic spot just 6 minutes away that offers another chance to escape the heat as it is surrounded by pine trees. You’ll find spacious RV sites here, 11 of which have electric hookups, as well as picnic tables, a flush toilet, and potable water. You can also reserve spots here, which is ideal if you like to plan as far in advance as possible, and it’s open all year round.

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Nevada

Distance from Las Vegas: 16 Miles

Not keen on heading too far from Vegas? Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is just 15 minutes away and is a must-visit if you want to explore cliffs and colorful rock formations and have almost endless opportunities for outdoor activities. Even the drive here feels like an adventure itself, taking you through some of the most beautiful parts of the conservation area before you hit the trails.

And when it comes to those trails, there are plenty to choose from. One of the most popular is the Calico Tanks Trail, which is 13 minutes away along Red Rock Canyon Road and leads to a natural basin with stunning views of the Strip in the distance. Likewise, the Lost Creek Trail is another popular site, and while it’s a little further out at 25 minutes away, you’ll get to explore a desert oasis with a seasonal waterfall.

When you’re ready to set up camp, we recommend staying at Red Rock Canyon Campground. This spot is 4 minutes away and is really well-suited to RV campers looking for more of a rugged experience, with 53 standard sites scattered across 3 fully accessible campgrounds. While there aren’t any hookups, the spacious sites give you a sense of privacy, and you’ll get access to vault toilets, trashcans, and drinking water, so you’ll have everything you need for a comfortable stay in nature.

Grand Canyon National Park

Arizona

Distance from Las Vegas: 280 Miles

Few places on Earth are as awe-inspiring as the Grand Canyon National Park, and while it’s a four-hour drive from Las Vegas, it’s well worth the trip if you’re looking for a truly memorable experience and the opportunity to explore a truly fascinating place. The South Rim is the most accessible area here and it features iconic viewpoints like Mather Point, Yavapai Observation Station, and Desert View, each of which has something unique to offer.

Should you want to venture deeper into the Canyon, the Bright Angel Trail is just 11 minutes away from the Grand Canyon along the S Entrance Road and allows you to get up close and personal with the rocks while offering plenty of spots to rest along the way. Or, for something a little more leisurely, take the South Rim Trail or the North Rim Trail for amazing views of one of the world’s most famous natural wonders.

After a day of exploring, set up camp at Trailer Village RV Park, which is the only campground set within the national park with full hookups, including water, sewage, and 30-amp and 50-amp electricity. The sites here are spacious and shaded (giving you some escape from the heat if you’re traveling in the summer), and you’ll also find flush toilets, hot showers, laundry facilities, and a dump station. It’s open all year round, too, and is located close to the shuttle system, making it easy to explore the park without having to move your RV. Don’t worry if you can’t get in here, though, as there some other fantastic options for Camping in the Grand Canyon.

Death Valley National Park

California & Nevada

Distance from Las Vegas: 110 Miles

Death Valley National Park is a land of extremes, home to the lowest point in North America and some of the most surreal landscapes in the world. Traveling through here can feel challenging at certain times of the year, but if you’re looking for a real adventure and the opportunity to explore a place that feels totally different from anything you’ve experienced before, it’s worth the effort.

Zabriskie Point is a must-visit destination in Death Valley, especially at sunrise, where the golden light lights up the badlands and makes for some amazing photo opportunities. Badwater Basin, which is the lowest point of the continent, is another fascinating spot with salt flats stretching as far as the eye can see. And, since it’s a place of contrasts, you can also head up to Dante’s View for panoramic views of the valley below. Whatever you choose to do, you’ll be in for a truly unique experience.

Naturally, you’ll need a place to camp while you’re here, and Furnace Creek Campground is the perfect place. It’s just 20 minutes from Death Valley and is the only NPS campground in the park that is reservable, so it’s ideal if you’re concerned about finding a space last minute. It also offers full hookups, flush toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and shaded sites, all of which come together to provide you with a comfortable campsite surrounded by beautiful scenery.

DISCLAIMER: We do have strict restrictions for traveling through the Death Valley. This is really more for your & the campervan’s safety – 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius) is simply too hot. As such we don’t allow any travel through the Death Valley between the 1st of May to 30th of September each year; at any other time, you are more than welcome to explore Death Valley.

Zion National Park

Utah

Distance from Las Vegas: 152 Miles

A little over two hours from Las Vegas, Zion National Park is one of the most popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts in the Southwest and is home to sandstone cliffs, pools, and narrow slot canyons that are all begging to be explored. It’s also pretty easy to navigate, thanks to the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, which, as its name suggests, provides you with some awesome views that’ll have you reaching for your camera.

When it comes to hiking, Angels Landing is a very popular trail, and while it’s fairly challenging, you’ll be rewarded with even more epic views. You can also hike the Narrows, where you’ll pass along the Virgin River and the surrounding canyon walls. Or, for a less strenuous hike, the Emerald Pools Trail takes you through greenery and past beautiful waterfalls. All of these are within just 20 minutes of the national park.

Zion Canyon Campground is an epic campground to book and the perfect base for exploring the park, at just a 5-minute drive away. This is a full-service RV park that offers spacious sites with full hookups, climate-controlled showers, laundry facilities, and an on-site convenience store. There’s also an outdoor heated pool (open from Easter Weekend through mid-October), and its location means the shuttle system is right on your doorstep.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Utah

Distance from Las Vegas: 260 Miles

About four hours from Las Vegas, Bryce Canyon National Park is a destination that feels like you’re stepping into a fantasy world, with hoodoos made up of red, orange, and white rock sculpted over millennia by frost and water erosion. The Bryce Amphitheater is the park’s main attraction and is best viewed from Sunrise Point or Sunset Point, where the light illuminates the hoodoos and produces a spectacle like nothing you’ve ever seen before.

If you want to get up close and personal with the park’s famous hoodoos, head out on the Navajo Loop Trail, which is just 10 minutes from Sunset Point. This hike descends into the canyon and leads you past formations like Thor’s Hammer and Wall Street, and if you have a little more time, you can also connect to the Queen’s Garden Trail from here to create a longer circuit. Or, for something a little less challenging, the Fairyland Loop Trail is an 8-mile circuit 4 minutes from the park’s entrance sign and offers you the opportunity to spot mule deer and a plethora of birdlife along the way.

Ruby’s Inn RV Park & Campground is the place to stay when visiting Bryce Canyon. It’s less than five minutes from the park’s entrance and offers full hookups, free WiFi, restrooms, showers, and water facilities. There’s also a heated pool and hot tub that are perfect for unwinding after a long day of exploring, and there’s a shuttle service that runs between the campground and Bryce Canyon, so you can explore without the hassle of finding parking.

Joshua Tree National Park

California

Distance from Las Vegas: 187 Miles

Another great location if you’re looking to escape Vegas and head out on a national park vacation, Joshua Tree is about three and a half hours from the Strip and is the place where the Mojave and Colorado Deserts meet. The result is a surreal landscape dotted with Joshua trees, massive boulders, and amazing night skies.

The Hidden Valley Nature Trail (15 minutes along Park Blvd) is one of the most popular spots here, and its one-mile loop is perfect for families and beginner hikers alike, taking you through a collection of boulders and trees that make for some fantastic photographs. Or, if you’re looking to combine history and nature, the Barker Dam Nature Trail is a little further along the road (6 minutes from Hidden Valley) and offers you a fascinating journey through Native American rock art sites, a historic water reservoir, and beautiful desert scenery.

When camping, Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground is an excellent base for your visit here, and it offers full hookups, restrooms with hot showers, picnic areas, and free WiFi. There are also occasional live music events here, giving you the opportunity to connect with fellow travelers. Not to mention, it’s only 20 minutes away from Joshua Tree National Park, so it’s easy to get an early start on your adventures!

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re hiking Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos, camping in the Grand Canyon, or exploring the Hoover Dam, there are plenty of unforgettable adventures leading straight out of Las Vegas. And, when it comes to comfort and convenience on the road, you’ll have everything you need with a campervan rental from Travellers Autobarn. Our campervan rentals in Las Vegas even include free unlimited miles, so you can roam as far and wide as you want without worrying about racking up extra miles. All you need to do now is pack your bags, pick your destination, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!

Want to discover more? Check out these other posts:

• Best Campervan Campgrounds Near Las Vegas
• Free Camping Nevada
• Top 15 Campervan Campgrounds in Nevada
• Best Summer Hikes in US National Parks

DISCLAIMER: All information provided, including prices, availability, and site details, is correct at the time of publishing. We recommend contacting campsites or caravan parks directly to confirm the latest details before planning your visit. Please review our Terms and Conditions for additional information.