Nevada's oldest state park is known for its red sandstone rock formations, which come in all sizes and shapes - even elephant-shaped. Located approximately 50 miles north of Las Vegas, Valley of Fire State Park offers another natural getaway from Sin City. Check the National Park Service website for free entrance days. It's a five-hour drive from Las Vegas, which makes it an intense day trip. The iconic South Rim is the most visited section of Grand Canyon National Park. A ticket that includes admission, a meal with a view and Skywalk entry costs about $82. But keep in mind that you can't use National Park Service passes for entry to the West Rim because it isn't part of Grand Canyon National Park. It's only a 2.5-hour drive from Las Vegas and features the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a cantilevered glass-bottomed bridge that allows visitors to look straight down to the canyon floor from 4,000 feet. Patrick Ritschard, chief concierge at the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas, recommends the West Rim to first-time visitors. Travel times to each section vary, and each offers something unique. Nitsche says you can't go wrong with a trip to the Grand Canyon, but you'll have to decide which area to visit - the North Rim, the South Rim, Desert View (the eastern portion of the park) or the West Rim.
