10 Awesome Out-of-County Road Trips Near Sunrise Manor, Nevada
If you’re in
Sunrise Manor, Nevada and itching to get out of town for a day, you’re in luck. Within just a few hours’ drive, you’ve got wild deserts, ghost towns, hot springs, and some of the best stargazing in the USA.
The best part? All of these road trips are
outside Clark County, so they really feel like you’re getting away.
Below are
10 easy road trips from Sunrise Manor into nearby counties in Nevada, California, and Arizona:
- Mohave County, Arizona
- Inyo County, California
- San Bernardino County, California
- Lincoln County, Nevada
- Nye County, Nevada
Hop in the car, grab some snacks, and let’s hit the road.
1. Laughlin & the Colorado River – Desert Meets Water (Mohave County, AZ)
If you crave water but live near Las Vegas,
Laughlin, Arizona, is your oasis in the desert.
From Sunrise Manor, it’s about a
2 to 2.5 hour drive, mostly straight south on US-95. As you roll into Laughlin, you’ll see the casinos lined up along the
Colorado River and boats cruising by. It feels like a mini–Las Vegas, but with flip-flops and jet skis.
- Walk the Riverwalk: A relaxed paved path along the water. Great for people-watching and sunset photos.
- Rent a jet ski or boat: Cool off on the river. There are tons of rental spots along the strip.
- Take a river cruise: Short sightseeing cruises give you views of the river canyon and Laughlin skyline.
On hot summer days, the cool river breeze feels like a reward after the drive. If you’re used to the dry Vegas heat, dipping your toes in the Colorado River is a game changer.
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2. Oatman, Arizona – Wild Burros & Old West Charm (Mohave County, AZ)
Want something a little weirder and more “Old West”? Head to
Oatman, an old mining town on historic
Route 66 in Mohave County.
From Sunrise Manor, plan on about a
2.5 to 3 hour drive if you combine it with a stop in Laughlin.
What makes Oatman special? The
burros.
Descendants of old mining donkeys wander the main street like they own the place. You’ll literally park your car and see burros strolling between shops, hoping for a snack.
- Stroll the wooden sidewalks: The town looks like a movie set from an old Western.
- Watch a staged gunfight: On busy days, performers put on playful “shootouts” in the street.
- Grab a burger or ice cream: Local diners and saloons are simple but fun and full of character.
If you’ve never seen burros nose around like friendly dogs, Oatman will stick in your memory.
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3. Death Valley National Park – Otherworldly Landscapes (Inyo County, CA)
Just saying the name
Death Valley sounds intense, right? But don’t let it scare you. This park in
Inyo County, California, is one of the most
beautiful and unique places you can visit on a road trip from Sunrise Manor.
Most routes take about
2.5 to 3 hours, depending on your entrance point.
Here’s what you can see in a single day:
- Zabriskie Point: Golden, wavy badlands that look like another planet.
- Badwater Basin: The lowest point in North America, about 282 feet below sea level. White salt flats stretch for miles.
- Dante’s View: A high overlook with sweeping views over the valley floor.
Summer can be brutally hot — well over 110°F — so pack tons of water, sunscreen, and a hat. In fall, winter, and early spring, it’s one of the best road trips from the Las Vegas area.
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4. Furnace Creek & Artist’s Drive – Colorful Corners of Death Valley (Inyo County, CA)
If you have a little more time in Death Valley, focus a second mini-road trip inside the park itself around the
Furnace Creek area.
From Sunrise Manor to Furnace Creek is roughly
3 hours, but once you’re there, everything is close.
Highlights:
- Visitor Center at Furnace Creek: Learn the park’s history, check current temps, and get trail updates.
- Artist’s Drive & Artist’s Palette: An 8–9 mile one-way scenic road that winds through canyons with hills painted in greens, reds, and purples from mineral deposits.
- Golden Canyon: A fairly short hike through narrow tan-and-gold canyon walls.
If you like photography, this area is a dream, especially near sunset when the hills light up with soft colors. Even if you’re just using your phone, you’ll come home with some epic shots.
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5. Mojave National Preserve – Quiet Desert Escape (San Bernardino County, CA)
Looking for a quieter alternative to crowded national parks? Head to the
Mojave National Preserve in
San Bernardino County, California. It’s usually less busy but just as stunning.
From Sunrise Manor, it’s about a
1.5 to 2.5 hour drive, depending on which entrance you use.
Highlights within the preserve:
- Kelso Dunes: Massive sand dunes you can climb. It’s a workout, but the view from the top is worth it.
- Joshua trees: Parts of the preserve are dotted with these twisty, spiky trees that feel almost magical.
- Kelso Depot: A historic train depot turned visitor center (check hours before you go).
If you’ve ever wanted that classic “empty road through the desert” experience, this is it. The night skies can be incredible too, with very little light around.
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6. Joshua Tree National Park (Northern Edge) – Rock Formations & Stargazing (San Bernardino County, CA)
The heart of
Joshua Tree National Park is a bit farther, but if you’re up for a longer day, you can still dip into its northern areas from Sunrise Manor in roughly
3.5 to 4 hours.
This park is famous for:
- Weird rock formations: Great for scrambling, photos, and short walks.
- Joshua trees: These odd, Y-shaped desert trees give the park its name.
- Stargazing: On clear nights, you can see the Milky Way with the naked eye.
If a full-day drive feels like too much, consider turning this into an overnight trip. But even a quick taste of Joshua Tree is unforgettable — it’s a totally different vibe from Nevada’s deserts.
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7. Cathedral Gorge State Park – Slot Canyons & Strange Formations (Lincoln County, NV)
Heading north from Sunrise Manor, you’ll find one of Nevada’s best-kept secrets:
Cathedral Gorge State Park in
Lincoln County. It’s about a
2.5 to 3 hour drive, but traffic is usually light, and the scenery is peaceful.
This park is all about unusual rock shapes carved by erosion:
- Slot-like canyons: Narrow passages you can walk through, with walls towering over you.
- Cathedral-like spires: Clay formations that look like melted castles or church towers.
- Easy trails: Most paths are short and not too steep, good for families and casual hikers.
It feels a bit like being in a giant sandcastle that’s slowly crumbling. Kids love exploring all the little side paths, and it’s a photographer’s dream on cloudy days.
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8. Pioche & Caliente – Historic Small-Town Nevada (Lincoln County, NV)
While you’re already in
Lincoln County, consider adding a visit to the towns of
Pioche and
Caliente.
From Sunrise Manor:
- Caliente: About 2.5–3 hours north.
- Pioche: Another 40–45 minutes beyond Caliente.
What to do:
- Explore Pioche’s mining history: Once known as one of the roughest mining towns in the West.
- See old buildings and museums: Step back into Nevada’s boom-and-bust past.
- Check out Caliente’s railroad depot: A charming mission-style building that hints at the town’s railroad roots.
These towns are the opposite of the neon Las Vegas feel. They’re quiet, friendly, and full of local stories. If you’re curious about “real Nevada” outside the big city, this route is perfect.
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9. Tonopah – Ghosts, Stars & Mining History (Nye County, NV)
Head northwest from Sunrise Manor into
Nye County and you’ll reach
Tonopah, about a
3.5 to 4 hour drive depending on your route.
Tonopah has a cool mix of eerie and beautiful:
- Tonopah Historic Mining Park: Learn how miners lived and worked in the early 1900s.
- Stargazing: Tonopah is known for incredibly dark skies — perfect if you love watching the night sky.
- Creepy fun hotels: Some visitors stay at spots with ghost stories if they’re into spooky vibes.
Driving there feels like a classic Nevada road trip — long open highways, mountain views, and a real sense of distance from the city.
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10. Beatty, Rhyolite Ghost Town & More Death Valley Access (Nye County, NV)
If you want a shorter drive than Tonopah but still want that small-town feel, head to
Beatty in
Nye County, about a
2 to 2.5 hour drive from Sunrise Manor.
Beatty is sometimes called the “Gateway to Death Valley,” but it’s also a fun destination on its own.
- Rhyolite Ghost Town: Just outside Beatty, this abandoned town has crumbling buildings, an old bank, and even unique outdoor art.
- Wildlife spotting: You might see burros roaming around here too.
- Quick access to Death Valley: You can combine Beatty and the park in one trip if you start early.
If you love exploring places that feel a little forgotten and a bit mysterious, this area is for you.
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Tips for Road Trips from Sunrise Manor
To keep your out-of-county adventures fun and safe, a little planning goes a long way:
- Fuel up early: Some stretches between Nevada and California/Arizona towns are long and empty.
- Bring water: Aim for at least a gallon per person for longer desert drives, especially in summer.
- Check the weather: High heat, flash floods, and winter storms can all affect desert roads.
- Download maps: Cell service can get spotty in Mohave, Inyo, Nye, Lincoln, and San Bernardino counties.
Where Will You Go Next?
Living in or visiting
Sunrise Manor means you’re surrounded by amazing
road trip options.
In just a few hours, you can:
- Cool off on the Colorado River
- Walk through ghost towns and historic mining camps
- Climb sand dunes and explore colorful canyons
- Gaze at some of the darkest night skies in the country
If you’ve taken any of these trips — or if you have your own favorite out-of-county escape from Sunrise Manor —
share your experience in the comments.
Have questions about planning a specific route?
Ask below and let’s help each other explore more of Nevada, California, and Arizona.
If you found this guide helpful, please
share it with friends or family who might be planning a visit to Sunrise Manor or the Las Vegas area. Your share might be the nudge they need to hit the road and discover something new.
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