
4 minute read
Leaving Las Vegas
By Lisa Kadane
Trade the buzzy Strip for blissful solitude at these desert destinations within a three-hour drive of Sin City
Located at the pointy end of Nevada between Utah, California and Arizona, Las Vegas makes a well-situated hub for exploring the American Southwest. When you have had your fill of shows, shopping and slot machines on the Strip, drive to nearby national parks across the state line, where natural beauty is on display and active adventures abound.
WILD, WILD GRAND CANYON, ARIZONA
Tour past Hoover Dam and a portion of Route 66 during the three-hour trip from Las Vegas to Williams, Arizona to catch the Grand Canyon Railway to the national park’s South Rim. The historic train ride gets guests into the Wild West spirit with singing cowboys and a staged train robbery. Once you arrive, it’s easy to catch the free shuttles around the park to all of the viewpoints and trailheads.

The classic Bright Angel Trail descends almost a vertical mile over 12.6 kilometres all the way to the Colorado River, so you can see the colourful layers of geologic history on the hike down. (Plan this epic trek for a cool day and bring litres of water.) Less energetic souls can hike the mostly flat Trail of Time, where each metre walked signifies a million years of the gaping canyon’s ancient history.
You can always let a beast of burden do the plodding by booking a two-hour mule ride along the rim, or all the way down to Phantom Ranch for an overnight stay.
HIGHS AND LOWS IN DEATH VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
A 2.5-hour road trip west from Vegas takes visitors to Death Valley National Park, the lowest, driest and hottest spot in North America. Though these extremes are what attract curious travellers, most soon realize there’s more to Death Valley than the fate implied by its name.

In addition to Badwater Basin (the lowest elevation point on the continent), there are towering mountains, colourful badlands and a freshwater oasis that feeds date palms and animals like coyotes and jackrabbits. Hit the highlights accessible by car first, such as the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes (bring your own sandboard), then hike into Golden Canyon or stroll the 1.3-kilometre loop of the Salt Creek Interpretive Trail, an easy 15-minute route.
If you have time, join a Jeep tour and journey deep into the desert to out-of-the-way spots such as Racetrack Playa. There, large stones slowly ‘sail’ across the flat, dry lake bed as if by magic, leaving a trail behind them as they move.

© Scott Temme
After a day in the parched valley, top up your moisture level in the swimming pool at The Ranch at Death Valley. It’s fed by a natural spring and stays 30 degrees Celsius year-round.
SAND AND SURF IN KANAB, UTAH
This small town in Southern Utah, a 3.5-hour drive northwest of Las Vegas, is surrounded by the state’s coyote-and-roadrunner-like scenery of red buttes and water-carved slot canyons. Use Kanab as a base for exploring Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, or check out the less-busy attractions close to town.

Rent sandboards or a sand sled from the visitor centre at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, 30 minutes from Kanab. Then, spend the morning slogging up and gliding down pink grains of sandstone that have blown in and settled into picturesque peaks and valleys.
To hike into a narrow crevice between smooth slabs of Navajo sandstone, consider joining a safari tour and going off-road in a Jeep to Red Canyon Slot (also called Peek-a-Boo Canyon). Or saddle up and ride to Red Hollow Canyon near Orderville.
Animal lovers can register for a volunteer shift at Best Friends Animal Society, the largest no-kill sanctuary in the U.S., headquartered in Kanab. Book well in advance to walk a rescue dog on the many trails inside the sanctuary grounds in Angel Canyon, or drive them off-campus for a hike on Kanab’s extensive trail network.