Paradise, Nevada: 10 Short Road Trips for Easy Desert Escapes

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10 Easy Out‑of‑County Road Trips from Paradise, Nevada (That Are Totally Worth the Drive)

If you’re staying in Paradise, Nevada (right next to the Las Vegas Strip) and you’re itching to escape the city for a day, you’re in luck. Within just a few hours’ drive, you can find wild desert landscapes, ghost towns, forests, lakes, and some of the darkest night skies in the country. The best part? Every spot on this list is outside Clark County. We’re heading into:
  • Mohave County, Arizona
  • Inyo County, California
  • San Bernardino County, California
  • Lincoln County, Nevada
  • Nye County, Nevada
Gas up, grab some snacks, and let’s hit 10 short out‑of‑county road trips from Paradise, NV.

1. Hoover Dam Lookouts & Lake Mead Overlooks (Mohave County, AZ)

Drive time from Paradise: about 45–60 minutes Most visitors stand on the Nevada side of Hoover Dam and call it a day. But crossing over into Mohave County, Arizona gives you quieter viewpoints and different angles of this massive landmark. What to do on the Arizona side:
  • Walk or drive across the dam and enjoy views of the Colorado River far below.
  • Stop at Arizona pullouts along Highway 93 for wide, open shots of the dam and Lake Mead.
  • Check out the interpretive signs to learn how this thing was built in the 1930s without modern equipment.
If you like quick road trips from Paradise with big payoffs, this is a no‑brainer. You can easily do it in a half day and be back in time for dinner on the Strip.

2. Oatman, Arizona – Wild Burros & Old West Vibes (Mohave County, AZ)

Drive time from Paradise: about 2.5 hours If you’ve ever wondered what a mining town from the early 1900s felt like, head to Oatman. This quirky little place in the Black Mountains feels like a movie set that never got taken down. Highlights:
  • Wild burros (descendants of miners’ pack animals) wander the streets like they own the town.
  • Old wooden storefronts, saloons, and shops packed with Route 66 souvenirs.
  • Occasional “gunfight” reenactments in the street during busy seasons.
Tip: The road into Oatman is narrow and twisty in spots, but the mountain views are worth it. Take it slow and enjoy those classic Route 66 curves.

3. Death Valley National Park – Badwater Basin & Zabriskie Point (Inyo County, CA)

Drive time from Paradise: about 2–2.5 hours (to the main viewpoints) For many people, Death Valley is a bucket‑list road trip from Las Vegas. Parts of the park stretch into different counties, but the famous sights like Badwater Basin and Zabriskie Point are in Inyo County, California. Top spots for a day trip:
  • Badwater Basin – Walk out onto the bright white salt flats, 282 feet below sea level.
  • Zabriskie Point – Catch sunrise or late afternoon light over golden, eroded hills.
  • Artist’s Drive – A short scenic loop past colorful, mineral‑stained hills.
It gets brutally hot here in summer. Bring lots of water, sunscreen, and a hat. If you can swing it, visiting in fall, winter, or early spring makes this trip way more comfortable.

4. Panamint Springs & Father Crowley Vista (Inyo County, CA)

Drive time from Paradise: about 3–3.5 hours If you want the dramatic edges of Death Valley without the crowds at the main spots, head to the western side near Panamint Springs in Inyo County. What makes it special:
  • Father Crowley Vista Point – A cliff‑top overlook into Rainbow Canyon. You might even see low‑flying jets training below you.
  • The drive along Highway 190 – Twisting desert mountains, wide open valleys, and very little traffic.
  • Big‑sky sunsets – Perfect if you time your drive back for late afternoon.
On one of my visits, I pulled into the overlook just as a fighter jet roared through the canyon. I didn’t even know they trained there; it was like watching an air show in the middle of nowhere.

5. Mojave National Preserve – Kelso Dunes (San Bernardino County, CA)

Drive time from Paradise: about 2.5 hours The Mojave National Preserve in San Bernardino County, California is often overlooked, which is exactly why it’s so peaceful. The star of the show here is the Kelso Dunes. What to expect:
  • A sea of soft, sandy dunes rising up to around 650 feet.
  • A rugged dirt road to the trailhead (usually passable for most cars if it’s dry).
  • A 3‑mile (round‑trip) hike if you want to reach the top.
Climbing sand is like walking on a stair climber set to “evil,” so take your time. But standing on the crest at sunset, watching the shadows stretch across the desert, makes every step worth it.

6. Joshua Tree National Park – Mojave Desert Side (San Bernardino County, CA)

Drive time from Paradise: about 3–3.5 hours (to the northern entrances) If you’ve got a full day (or better yet, a long weekend), head to Joshua Tree National Park, mostly in San Bernardino County. It’s where the Mojave and Colorado Deserts meet, and it looks like a Dr. Seuss book came to life. Best spots for a quick visit:
  • Hidden Valley – A short loop hike through giant boulders and Joshua trees.
  • Keys View – A panoramic lookout over the Coachella Valley and, on clear days, all the way to the Salton Sea.
  • Pullouts along Park Boulevard – Perfect for photos and short walks.
This is a longer road trip from Paradise, but if you’re a fan of weird rock formations, desert plants, and world‑class stargazing, it’s a home run.

7. Cathedral Gorge State Park – Slot Canyons Without the Crowds (Lincoln County, NV)

Drive time from Paradise: about 2.5–3 hours North of Las Vegas, in Lincoln County, you’ll find one of Nevada’s underrated gems: Cathedral Gorge State Park. Why people love it:
  • Narrow, clay slot canyons you can wander through like a maze.
  • Tall, eroded formations that look like melted castles or cathedral spires.
  • Short, easy trails and plenty of viewpoints.
If you’ve always wanted to explore slot canyons but don’t want to deal with huge crowds, this is a great alternative to the more famous spots in Utah and Arizona.

8. Elgin Schoolhouse & Rainbow Canyon Scenic Drive (Lincoln County, NV)

Drive time from Paradise: about 2.5–3 hours For a quieter, more relaxed road trip from Paradise, follow the Rainbow Canyon Scenic Drive near the town of Caliente in Lincoln County. What you’ll see:
  • Colorful canyon walls and rock formations along the road.
  • The historic Elgin Schoolhouse State Historic Site, a restored one‑room school from the early 1900s.
  • Occasional trains passing through the canyon, which adds a cool old‑West‑meets‑railway feel.
This drive feels like stepping back in time—just you, the road, and quiet Nevada backcountry.

9. Tonopah & The Clown Motel (Nye County, NV)

Drive time from Paradise: about 3.5 hours If you like your road trips a little weird, point your car toward Tonopah in Nye County. Things to check out:
  • Tonopah Historic Mining Park – Explore old mining equipment and learn how this town boomed in the early 1900s.
  • The famous (and slightly creepy) Clown Motel – Even if you don’t stay overnight, it’s worth a quick look.
  • Local diners and small‑town Nevada charm.
On clear nights, the stars out here are unreal. If you hang around after dark, step away from town lights and just look up.

10. Tonopah Stargazing & Dark Skies (Nye County, NV)

Drive time from Paradise: about 3.5 hours (same as above) Tonopah isn’t just a quirky mining town. It’s also one of the best dark‑sky destinations near Las Vegas. The light pollution is low, and on a moonless night the Milky Way looks like a pale cloud splashed across the sky. How to make the most of it:
  • Check the moon phase and aim for a night when the moon is small or not visible.
  • Drive a few miles outside town, pull over safely, and let your eyes adjust.
  • Bring a camp chair, a warm layer (desert nights get chilly), and maybe a thermos of coffee or hot chocolate.
If you’ve only ever seen the night sky from big cities, this can honestly be a mind‑blowing experience.

Tips for Road Trips from Paradise, Nevada

Before you head out to Mohave, Inyo, San Bernardino, Lincoln, or Nye County, keep these quick tips in mind:
  • Fuel up early – Distances in the desert can be long, and gas stations are not always close together.
  • Carry extra water – At least a gallon per person, especially in summer.
  • Check the forecast – Heat, flash floods, and winter storms can all change plans fast.
  • Download offline maps – Cell service can drop out in remote areas.
  • Start early – Beat the heat, the traffic, and have more daylight to play with.

Ready to Plan Your Next Adventure from Paradise?

You don’t have to stay on the Strip to have a big Las Vegas vacation. With these 10 out‑of‑county road trips from Paradise, Nevada, you can:
  • Stand on salt flats below sea level.
  • Hike sand dunes and slot canyons.
  • Visit ghost towns and mining camps.
  • Stargaze under some of the darkest skies in the West.
If you’ve taken any of these drives—or if you think I missed a must‑see spot in Mohave, Inyo, San Bernardino, Lincoln, or Nye County—drop a comment and share your experience. I’d love to hear where you went and what surprised you most. And if you know someone planning a Vegas trip who loves to explore, share this post with them. One simple road trip might end up being their favorite memory from Paradise, Nevada.
Location: Georgetown, IN, USA

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