10 Easy Out-of-County Road Trips From Las Vegas You’ll Actually Want to Take
If you love Las Vegas but sometimes crave fresh air, open roads, and star-filled skies, you’re in luck. Las Vegas is surrounded by incredible places in **Arizona, California, and rural Nevada** that make perfect day trips or quick weekend getaways.
Below are **10 short out-of-county road trips from Las Vegas** (so, nothing inside Clark County) that will give you new ideas for things to do near Las Vegas — from ghost towns and hot springs to giant craters and wild desert landscapes.
1. Laughlin & The Colorado River – Mohave County, Arizona
If you’ve ever wished Vegas had a beachfront, this is the next best thing.
Laughlin, AZ sits right on the Colorado River, about
100 miles south of Las Vegas.
- Drive time: About 1 hour 45 minutes
- Best for: River fun, casual casinos, laid-back vibes
What to do:
- Rent a jet ski or kayak and ride along the Colorado River.
- Walk the riverfront trail behind the casinos – it’s surprisingly peaceful.
- Take a short drive to Davis Dam for views of Lake Mohave.
If Vegas sometimes feels “too much,” Laughlin is like its relaxed cousin. You still get gaming and entertainment, but with flip-flops, river breezes, and sunsets over the water.
2. Oatman – Wild Burros & Route 66 Charm (Mohave County, Arizona)
Just across the river from Laughlin sits one of the quirkiest towns near Las Vegas:
Oatman, Arizona, an old mining town along historic Route 66.
- Drive time from Las Vegas: About 2 to 2.5 hours
- Best for: Old West vibes, Route 66 photos, families
What makes it special?
- Wild burros (donkeys) freely wander the streets. They’re descendants of old mining pack animals.
- Wooden boardwalks, staged “gunfights,” and classic Route 66 signage.
- Rustic little shops selling ice cream, souvenirs, and Route 66 gear.
It’s the kind of place where you’ll snap a hundred photos without trying. Just keep some distance and use common sense with the burros—they’re cute but still animals.
3. Death Valley National Park – Otherworldly Desert (Inyo County, California)
If you’re searching for things to do near Las Vegas that feel totally different,
Death Valley National Park is hard to beat. It’s one of the most extreme landscapes in the USA.
- Drive time: About 2 to 2.5 hours to Furnace Creek
- Best for: Scenic drives, sunrise/sunset views, stargazing
Highlights:
- Zabriskie Point – Golden badlands that glow at sunrise.
- Badwater Basin – The lowest point in North America, about 282 feet below sea level.
- Dante’s View – A high overlook with panoramic views of the valley.
Visit in late fall, winter, or early spring if you can. Summer heat can easily soar above 110°F. Bring plenty of water and fuel—things are very spread out.
4. Trona Pinnacles – A Sci-Fi Landscape (San Bernardino County, California)
If you’ve ever watched a movie and thought, “That doesn’t look like Earth,” there’s a good chance it was filmed at the
Trona Pinnacles.
- Drive time: About 3.5 hours from Las Vegas
- Best for: Photographers, stargazers, adventurous explorers
What you’ll find:
- Hundreds of tall, spiky rock formations rising out of a dry lake bed.
- Big, open skies with very little light pollution.
- Plenty of room to wander, take photos, and just soak in the silence.
The last stretch is on a rough dirt road, so check conditions first. It’s still doable in a regular car when dry, but go slow. Pack snacks, water, and a full tank—it’s remote.
5. Mojave National Preserve – Sand Dunes & Lava Tubes (San Bernardino County, California)
Located between Interstates 15 and 40, the
Mojave National Preserve is an easy but rewarding escape from the city.
- Drive time: About 1.5–2 hours to the Kelso area
- Best for: Desert lovers, hikers, quiet scenic drives
Don’t miss:
- Kelso Dunes – Huge sand dunes you can hike. On the right day, the sand can even “sing” with a deep humming sound.
- Mojave Desert Joshua trees – A forest of these unusual trees spreads across the preserve.
- Lava Tube – A short hike leads to an underground lava tube where sunlight beams through holes in the ceiling (check road and weather conditions).
There are almost no services inside the preserve, so think of it as a “bring everything with you” type of trip. But the payoff is peaceful, wide-open desert beauty.
6. Cathedral Gorge State Park – Slot Canyons & Clay Spires (Lincoln County, Nevada)
Looking for a less crowded alternative to the big national parks?
Cathedral Gorge State Park in Lincoln County is one of Nevada’s hidden gems.
- Drive time: About 2.5–3 hours north of Las Vegas
- Best for: Families, photographers, easy hikes
What you’ll see:
- Tall, narrow slot canyons carved into soft clay.
- Spiky formations that look like melted castles or gothic cathedrals.
- Short, fun trails perfect for wandering and exploring.
It’s easy to spend a full day here walking in and out of the little canyons. The park is small, manageable, and great for a relaxed pace road trip.
7. Pioche & the Historic Mining District (Lincoln County, Nevada)
Combine Cathedral Gorge with a visit to
Pioche, a historic mining town perched on a hillside.
- Drive time: About 3 hours from Las Vegas
- Best for: History buffs, small-town Nevada charm
Highlights:
- Old buildings from its “Wild West” days.
- Aerial tramway buckets still hanging above town from the mining era.
- Quiet streets, friendly locals, and a totally different pace than Vegas.
It’s an easy place to stroll, take photos, and imagine what life was like when the town was booming with miners and outlaws.
8. Pahrump – Wineries, Off-Roading, and a Laid-Back Vibe (Nye County, Nevada)
If you don’t want to drive too far,
Pahrump in Nye County is one of the closest road trip spots from Las Vegas that still gets you out of Clark County.
- Drive time: About 1 hour west of Las Vegas
- Best for: Quick getaway, local wine tasting, desert drives
Things to do:
- Visit a local winery with a scenic pond and tasting room.
- Use Pahrump as a base to explore nearby desert trails and off-road routes.
- Enjoy small-town Nevada with fewer crowds and slower traffic.
Pahrump is also a handy stop on the way to Death Valley. Think of it as your “gateway town” for food, fuel, and a more relaxed overnight stay.
9. Beatty & Rhyolite Ghost Town – Gateway to Death Valley (Nye County, Nevada)
Head northwest from Las Vegas and you’ll hit
Beatty, a small desert town that’s perfect as a launching point for Death Valley and the famous ghost town of
Rhyolite.
- Drive time: About 2–2.5 hours from Las Vegas
- Best for: History, photography, quirky roadside stops
What you can explore:
- Rhyolite Ghost Town – Old stone ruins, a famous bottle house, and an eerie abandoned train depot.
- Outdoor art installations near Rhyolite, like ghostly white statues in the desert.
- Beatty’s small-town diners and motels, great for an overnight trip.
If you like abandoned places and desert history, this area checks all the boxes.
10. Lunar Crater & The Open Road – Central Nye County, Nevada
If you’re the type who loves wide-open spaces and long, quiet roads, the
Lunar Crater National Natural Landmark in Nye County feels like another planet.
- Drive time: About 3.5–4 hours from Las Vegas
- Best for: Road trip purists, geology fans, dark skies
Why go?
- A huge volcanic crater that really does look like a chunk of the moon.
- Classic Nevada open highway along U.S. 6 with almost no traffic.
- Some of the darkest skies in the region—perfect for stargazing.
This is a true “bring everything” adventure: water, snacks, fuel, and a paper map as backup. But if you’ve ever wanted to feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere (in a good way), this is it.
How to Make the Most of Your Las Vegas Road Trips
To keep these out-of-county day trips fun and stress-free, a little planning goes a long way.
- Start with fuel: Fill up in Las Vegas before you head out.
- Pack water: The desert is dry and temperatures swing a lot, especially in summer.
- Check weather and road conditions: Especially for Death Valley, Mojave, and dirt-road spots like Trona Pinnacles.
- Bring layers: Desert nights can get cooler than you expect.
If you’re traveling with kids, look for shorter hikes and places with restrooms and picnic areas, like Cathedral Gorge, Mojave National Preserve’s visitor areas, and Pahrump.
Ready to Explore Beyond the Neon?
You don’t have to leave the Southwest to feel like you’ve traveled far. From **Arizona river towns** and **California desert parks** to **Nevada ghost towns**, these out-of-county road trips show a totally different side of the Las Vegas region.
Have you tried any of these road trips from Las Vegas?
- Which one was your favorite?
- Which place are you adding to your list next?
Share this post with a friend who’s planning a Vegas vacation and wants to see more than the Strip, and drop your questions or tips in the comments. Your own stories can help other travelers discover new things to do near Las Vegas—far beyond the casino lights.
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