10 Easy Out-of-County Road Trips From North Las Vegas
If you live in
North Las Vegas and you’re itching to get out of town for the day, you’re in a perfect spot. Within just a few hours’ drive, you can hit dramatic desert landscapes, cool little towns, ghostly ruins, and even a stretch of old Route 66 history.
This guide focuses on
short road trips outside Clark County, into nearby places like
Mohave County, Arizona,
Inyo and San Bernardino Counties in California, and
Lincoln and Nye Counties in Nevada.
Think of these as easy
day trips and weekend getaways from North Las Vegas you can do without getting on a plane.
1. Laughlin & the Colorado River (Mohave County, AZ)
Just about
100 miles south of North Las Vegas, you’ll hit
Laughlin, Arizona, a riverfront town that feels like a mini Vegas on the water. It’s across the Colorado River from Bullhead City, AZ, and it’s a great change of pace if you want casinos plus outdoor fun.
What you can do here:
- Walk the Riverwalk: A paved path runs along the Colorado River with great views of the water and the hills beyond.
- Take a river cruise: Short sightseeing boat tours give you a new angle on the desert.
- Rent jet skis or kayaks: On hot days, getting out on the river feels amazing.
- Try your luck in smaller casinos: It’s like Vegas, but more laid-back and usually cheaper.
From North Las Vegas, plan on about a
1.5 to 2-hour drive each way, mostly along US-95 and NV-163.
2. Lake Havasu City & London Bridge (Mohave County, AZ)
Yes, there’s a real
London Bridge in Arizona. And it’s only about a
2.5- to 3-hour drive from North Las Vegas.
In
Lake Havasu City, the imported London Bridge crosses a channel of the lake, and the area around it feels almost like a desert beach town.
Things to do:
- Walk across London Bridge: Grab an ice cream or coffee and stroll along the water.
- Rent a boat or pontoon: Take a spin on Lake Havasu; you can swim, fish, or just float and relax.
- Hang out at the beaches: There are small sandy areas perfect for a picnic.
- Check out the English Village: It’s touristy, but fun for a quick wander.
If you’re looking for a road trip from North Las Vegas that mixes quirky history with lake time, this is an easy win.
3. Oatman: Wild Burros & Route 66 (Mohave County, AZ)
Looking for something truly different? Head to
Oatman, Arizona, an old mining town on historic
Route 66, about
2.5 hours from North Las Vegas.
The town is famous for its
wild burros that wander the streets like they own the place. Many are descendants of the pack animals miners once used.
What to expect:
- Burros everywhere: They stroll down Main Street and sometimes poke their heads into shop doors.
- Old West vibe: Wooden storefronts, staged “gunfights” on busy days, and lots of Western souvenirs.
- Scenic drive on Route 66: The road in is twisty, with great lookout points.
If you have kids, or you just love quirky stops, Oatman makes a fun side trip. Many people combine Oatman with a stop in Laughlin or Bullhead City for a full day.
4. Death Valley National Park: Badwater Basin & Dante’s View (Inyo County, CA)
Head west and you’ll hit one of the most extreme places in America:
Death Valley National Park in
Inyo County, California. It’s about
2 to 2.5 hours from North Las Vegas, depending on your route.
Even if you’ve seen desert before, Death Valley feels different—bigger, stranger, and surprisingly colorful.
Top spots to check out:
- Badwater Basin: The lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level. You walk out onto a wide, white salt flat that looks like the surface of another planet.
- Dante’s View: A high overlook more than a mile above the valley floor. On clear days, you can see for what feels like forever.
- Zabriskie Point: Sunrise and sunset are gorgeous here, with rolling golden hills and ridges.
Tip:
Summer gets dangerously hot. If you go from June through September, start early, carry plenty of water (a gallon per person is a good rule), and don’t plan long hikes midday.
5. Furnace Creek & Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes (Inyo County, CA)
Still inside
Death Valley, but worth its own mention, is the area around
Furnace Creek and the
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. From North Las Vegas, you can reach this part of the park in about
2.5 hours.
Why it’s special:
- Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes: These dunes are easy to reach from the road. You can walk out onto the sand and watch the wind shape the ridges. Sunrise and sunset are best for cooler temps and softer light.
- Visitor center at Furnace Creek: Good place to learn about the park, check the weather, and use the facilities.
- Stargazing: If you stay into the evening or overnight, the night sky is incredible—Death Valley is an International Dark Sky Park.
This is a great weekend trip from North Las Vegas if you’re into photography, geology, or just want to see landscapes that don’t look real.
6. Mojave National Preserve (San Bernardino County, CA)
About
1.5 to 2 hours south and west of North Las Vegas, you’ll find the
Mojave National Preserve in
San Bernardino County. It’s huge, quiet, and often way less crowded than better-known parks.
Highlights include:
- Kelso Dunes: Massive sand dunes you can hike up. On some days, the sand makes a “booming” sound when it slides.
- Cinder cones and lava fields: The volcanic landscape feels like you landed on Mars.
- Joshua tree forests: Yes, you can see Joshua trees here, not just in Joshua Tree National Park.
If you want a true desert escape with wide-open spaces and hardly any people, this is a great day trip or overnight camping option from North Las Vegas.
7. Pahrump: Wineries, Racing, and Desert Views (Nye County, NV)
Less than
1.5 hours from North Las Vegas,
Pahrump in
Nye County makes for an easy, relaxed day trip. It’s a small desert town with some surprisingly fun things to do.
What you might enjoy:
- Local wineries: Desert wine? Yep. Pahrump has a couple of wineries with tastings and casual dining.
- Racing experiences: Some visitors come here specifically to hit racetracks or off-road experiences (check what’s available before you go).
- Gateway to Death Valley: Many people stay in Pahrump as a cheaper base for exploring Death Valley.
If you don’t have a full weekend but want to get out of North Las Vegas for the day, Pahrump is just far enough to feel like a change of scenery.
8. Beatty & Rhyolite Ghost Town (Nye County, NV)
Drive about
2.5 hours northwest and you’ll reach
Beatty, a small town in Nye County that’s often called the “Gateway to Death Valley.” Just a short drive from Beatty is one of Nevada’s most famous ghost towns:
Rhyolite.
Here’s what to see:
- Rhyolite Ghost Town: Crumbling buildings, an old bank, and other ruins from the early 1900s mining boom.
- Art installations: The nearby Goldwell Open Air Museum has strange, modern art pieces out in the desert.
- Desert wildlife: If you’re lucky, you might see wild burros around Beatty too.
Beatty makes a nice road trip from North Las Vegas if you like history, photography, and that eerie, quiet feeling only ghost towns can give.
9. Caliente & Kershaw-Ryan State Park (Lincoln County, NV)
Head about
2.5 hours north and you’ll find
Caliente, a railroad town in
Lincoln County, Nevada. Just outside town sits
Kershaw-Ryan State Park, a hidden little green canyon in the middle of the desert.
Why go:
- Easy hiking: Short trails with nice views and shady spots—great if you’re not looking for anything too intense.
- Picnic areas: This is a solid family day trip with lawn areas and playgrounds in season.
- Historic train depot in Caliente: Stop in town to see the old Spanish-style train station.
If you’ve done the usual Vegas-area trips and want something quieter, this is a peaceful alternative.
10. Pioche & Cathedral Gorge State Park (Lincoln County, NV)
A bit farther, but still doable as a long day trip or an easy overnight, is the combo of
Pioche and
Cathedral Gorge State Park in Lincoln County, about
3 hours from North Las Vegas.
Pioche is an old mining town perched on the hillside, and Cathedral Gorge is one of Nevada’s most visually striking state parks.
What you’ll find:
- Cathedral Gorge: Tall, narrow clay formations that look like natural cathedrals. There are short slots and paths you can wander through.
- Historic Pioche: Old buildings, mining relics, and a real “Wild West” backstory—this was once known as one of the roughest towns in the West.
- Big skies and quiet nights: It’s a great spot for stargazing if you stay over.
For North Las Vegas locals, this trip feels like stepping into a different time and a different kind of Nevada.
Tips for Road Trips From North Las Vegas
Before you head out to any of these spots in Mohave, Inyo, San Bernardino, Lincoln, or Nye Counties, keep a few basics in mind:
- Gas up early: Some stretches of road have long distances between gas stations.
- Carry extra water: The desert can be unforgiving. Keep a few bottles per person in the car at all times.
- Check the weather: Heat, flash floods, or winter road closures can change plans quickly.
- Tell someone where you’re going: Especially if you’re heading into more remote areas.
Ready to Hit the Road?
Living in or visiting
North Las Vegas means you’re surrounded by amazing
day trips and weekend escapes in every direction. From the burros of Oatman and the waters of Laughlin and Lake Havasu, to the otherworldly landscapes of Death Valley and Cathedral Gorge, there’s always a new place to explore just a short drive away.
Have you tried any of these out-of-county road trips yet? Which one are you planning next?
If you found this guide helpful, please share it with friends or family who live in the Las Vegas area or are planning a trip. And if you have your own favorite North Las Vegas road trip ideas, drop them in the comments—I’d love to hear what you recommend.
Comments
Post a Comment