Best Day Trips from Las Vegas

Beyond the bright lights and bustling crowds lining the Las Vegas Strip are some of the most exciting natural destinations in the world. Whether you’re visiting for a few days or are a seasoned local, there are many exciting options for a day trip from Las Vegas.

From the Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon West, Red Rock Canyon, Antelope Canyon and more, Papillon can take you on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure no matter how much time you have.

Visit the Grand Canyon National Park from Las Vegas

The Grand Canyon National Park, also known as the South Rim, contains some of the most famous and dramatic canyon overlooks, such as Mather Point and iconic picture-perfect views from Desert View Watchtower. The Grand Canyon Village located at the canyon’s edge also houses many of the park's most iconic buildings and attractions, including Bright Angel Lodge and the Kolb Studio.

You can enjoy a peaceful flight from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon South Rim aboard a comfortable sightseeing airplane, with aerial views of Hoover Dam and Lake Mead along the way. Upon landing, you can continue your exploration with a unique flight and tour combination package:

Grand Canyon Connoisseur with Helicopter: Board a helicopter and fly over the deepest and widest canyon gorges, unique rock formations, and the expanse of the Kaibab Forest.

Grand Canyon Connoisseur with Hummer: This guided ground tour uses a military-style Hummer vehicle takes passenger to multiple lookout points along the canyon’s edge, with time to explore and take photos at each.

Experience the Grand Canyon West & Skywalk

The Grand Canyon West is the closest option for those traveling from Las Vegas and can be reached in just over an hour via helicopter. This region of the park is owned by the Hualapai Tribe. This is also the only area of the Grand Canyon where helicopters are permitted to land on the very bottom.

Another exciting feature at the Grand Canyon West is the world-famous Skywalk. This glass-bottomed bridge extends 70 feet past the edge of the canyon and creates the sensation of standing in the sky 4,000 feet over the Colorado River below.

Tours that include entry into the park allow visitors to use free shuttle service to various lookout points as well as Hualapai Point, a Native American cultural center.

Some of the most high-demand Grand Canyon West day tours include:

Grand Celebration: Fly to the Grand Canyon West in a helicopter with aerial views of Hoover Dam and Lake Mead before descending to the bottom of the canyon with time for photos and exploration.

Grand Voyager: This flight from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon West includes both a landing on the canyon floor and a pontoon boat ride between the canyon walls along the Colorado River.

VIP Grand Canyon Heli, Boat & Skywalk Tour: After landing on the floor of the Grand Canyon West and enjoying a peaceful float on the Colorado River, you’ll return to the canyon surface and receive entry onto the Skywalk.

Explore Antelope Canyon from Las Vegas

One of the most famous and recognizable natural landforms in the world is located just a short distance from Las Vegas. Antelope Canyon’s winding sandstone corridors have been a sought-after destination for visitors from around the world for decades. Its famous light beams are a goal for photographers both professional and amateur. Because this land is property of the Navajo Nation, Antelope Canyon can only be visited on an official guided tour. You can fly from Las Vegas to Page, Arizona and explore the depths of Antelope Canyon with Papillon:

Antelope Canyon Expedition: Enjoy a sightseeing flight to Page, AZ and receive transport to the entrance of Antelope Canyon, where a Navajo guide will lead you through the depths of the orange and red sandstone walls. You’ll also stop at Horseshoe Bend for a photo opportunity.

Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend is located in Page, Arizona. This near-circular twist in the Colorado River draws thousands of tourists each year who either want to stand on the edge of the massive canyon wall or float between the walls on a rafting tour. You can visit Horseshoe Bend and the nearby equally-famous Antelope Canyon day tour from Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Day Trips by Car

There are day trips in every direction from Las Vegas. You can reach the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Death Valley, Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon, Mt. Charleston, and many other beautiful locations - all within driving distance of the Strip.

Renting a car is easy and affordable in Las Vegas and a convenient option to get out to see various sights. Of all the classic road trips you can enjoy here, the Las Vegas to Grand Canyon National Park drive is the most exciting. Grand Canyon trips from Las Vegas travel through vast, open desert spaces, over historic Route 66, and pass through colorful sandstone and towering mountains.

The drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon Village, which is located on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, is about 275 miles (or approximately a 4-hour drive).

Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, & Boulder City

Just 20 miles from Vegas, the 550 miles of Lake Mead shoreline offer one of the best day trips from Las Vegas. This year-round playground is massive - 1.5 million acres of diverse landscape - including two vast lakes (Lake Mead and Lake Mohave), mountains, deep canyons, hot springs, nine wilderness areas, and much more all surrounding the Colorado River. Hike, camp, rent a houseboat, swim, or just take in the beautiful sights of America's largest reservoir.

Beautiful Boulder City, adjacent to Lake Mead, is the gateway to the National Recreation Area. While just 30 miles from the Strip, Boulder City has an entirely different vibe. The historic town, founded at the time of the Hoover Dam construction, doesn't allow gambling and its quaint downtown of artisan shops and restaurants are a favorite amongst history buffs.

If you make the short drive out to this area, be sure to make a stop at the Hoover Dam. This engineering marvel, constructed between 1931 and 1936 during the Great Depression offers dam tours full of history.

Red Rock Canyon

Just a short drive west of Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon will wow you with colorful desert views and a wilderness vibe. The Canyon National Conservation Area is famous for rock climbing, hiking, and some of the most magnificent rock formations in the entire desert Southwest.

Start with the Conservation Area's 13-mile scenic drive before choosing from more than 20 developed hiking trails, many of which cut deep into cool, oasis slot canyons. You can even find a seasonal waterfall deep within Ice Box Canyon!

Spring Mountain Ranch State Park is another treasure in the Conservation Area. Part working ranch, part former luxury retreat, it contains a 1860s blacksmith shop and other historic buildings in a remarkable setting.

Mount Charleston

Just 40 miles from Las Vegas, a year-round mountain getaway awaits with a ski area, hiking amongst ancient bristlecone pines, and 11,916-foot Mount Charleston.

On the short drive, you leave the desert floor and ascend up into the Springs Mountains National Recreation Area, where Lee Canyon and Kyle Canyon are located, to experience the cool, lush ecosystem. Climb to the summit of Cathedral Rock Trail or Mary Jane Falls and cool off in the stunning waterfalls located at both hikes!

Campsites with fire pits are also available to stay overnight and experience an incredible starscape.

Valley of Fire

Two-thousand-year-old petroglyphs and 40,000 acres of massive red sandstone formations make Valley of Fire State Park one of Nevada's hidden gems. 

Just a one-hour drive from Las Vegas, be sure to bring your camera and hiking boots when checking out the 150-million-year-old shifting sand dunes that have made this location a world-renowned park. 

Valley of Fire State Park's spectacular scenery offers the perfect backdrop for weddings and special occasions. Often, you'll see adventurous couples tying the knot out in this beautiful space and a Valley of Fire Helicopter Proposal is even available! 

A number of trails, including the famous White Dome Loop, let you experience this geological playground up close and personal, and on-site campgrounds are available to lengthen your experience. 

Seven Magic Mountains

Las Vegas might not have a famous urban art museum, but an art installation on the outskirts of the city has become a favorite Instagram photo op.

Just 25 miles from the Las Vegas Strip, internationally renowned Swiss Artist Ugo Rondinone erected Seven Magic Mountains, several massive pillars of colorful boulders in 2016.

The bright kaleidoscope of colors offset by the surrounding desert landscape (located on Bureau of Land Management property just off Interstate 15 near Jean, Nevada) is visually stunning and free to visit.

Zion National Park

Utah's Zion National Park is a 3-hour drive from Las Vegas. Utah's first national park is famous for massive rock towers and interesting slickrock formations.

Located near the southern Utah city of Springdale, Zion's 54-mile Park Scenic Byway should not be missed. It runs along the Virgin River taking in beautiful red rock scenery, up steep switchbacks, and through hand blasted tunnels high up Zion Canyon.

Zion is a hikers paradise, with classic hikes such as Angel's Landing bucket list items for intrepid explorers.

Papillon’s Bryce Canyon day tour also includes a stop at nearby Zion National Park for a full day of sightseeing and adventure in some of the country’s most impressive national parks.

Book with Papillon Today!

If you're planning to visit Las Vegas or the Grand Canyon, let us make your vacation a truly unforgettable experience. Book your Grand Canyon tour online today!

Locally Owned and Operated

Since our beginning in 1965, Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters has been family owned and operated right here in Boulder City, Nevada. We've grown from offering helicopter flights over the Grand Canyon to maintaining six bases across the American Southwest.

Over 300,000 Happy Customers Every Year

We are proud to transport Las Vegas visitors from all over the world to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the United States. We operate daily tours to the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and the Las Vegas Strip.