Las Vegas is normally associated with the high-energy experience that only Sin City can provide. But in truth,Vegasis actually perfectly positioned for some of the best excursions into the top National Parks in the entire country.

Seriously, think about it. Within a drive from Vegas you can get to theGrand Canyon,Joshua Tree,Zionand evenYosemite. These are major bucket list items and they are all a realistic trip from the city.

This way, you can have the best of both worlds – the glitz and glam of Vegas and the magical escape into mother nature.

Okay, let’s get into it and start planning your next trip. Check out thesenational parks near Las Vegas.

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National Parks Near Las Vegas

Death Valley

Vegas is a perfect homebase for trips to Death Valley.

Within a two hour drive, it’s one of the best national parks near Las Vegas.

You can see a lot on a day trip to Death Valley but if you want to make more than one trip to this fabulous park, your pass is valid for up to 7 days, so that’s super convenient.

For even more ease, there are alsoguided tours of Death Valley from Vegas.

Zion

Of course,Zionwith itsAngel’s WayandThe Narrowsis possibly at the top of your bucket list. New to hiking, not to worry there are lots ofeasier hikes at Ziontoo!

That’s why it’s one of the best national parks close to Vegas.

It’s hard to believe but this spectacular place is only 2.5 hours from downtown Vegas.

没错,这意味着只有160英里远that if you wanted to you could make a day trip to Zion while visiting Sin City.

Check out our full list ofbest day trips from Las Vegas.

Don’t feel like driving? No worries, you can book thistour bus to Zion from Vegasand still have 6 hours to explore Zion and leave the driving (and parking hassle) to someone else.

Joshua Tree

The drive to Joshua Tree is about 3.5 hours from Vegas making it one of the best national parks near Vegas.

Once inJoshua Treeyou’ll see why this national park is one of the best in the nation.

The desert landscape and vegetation is absolutely breathtaking. Make sure to seeLost Horse MineandCarey Castles.

Definitely plan to stop during the drive at places like theSeven Magic Mountainsand theKelso Dunesin the Mojave Desert.

Make it a long weekend and enjoy the gorgeous California sunrises and sunsets.

Bryce

In only four hours from Vegas you’ll reach the magnificentBryce National Park.

This spectacular place delights visitors with its incredible views by day and night.

With the sun shining you’ll see the largest concentration of hoodoos in the world.

And at night, Bryce is just about the best place to stargaze.

During sunrise and sunset the landscape comes alive with brilliant colors making Bryce one of the best national parks close to Vegas.

Don’t have time to spend a few days? Thisone-day tour of Bryce and Zion from Vegasmay be the perfect answer!

Grand Canyon

Everyone must experience the Grand Canyon at least once in their life. So the fact that it’s one of the national parks close to Las Vegas is ideal.

Seriously, the drive takes less than 5 hours from Vegas to South Rim Grand Canyon.

To get there and back in one day there are a bunch of tours from Vegas. For something unique check out thisGrand Canyon helicopter tour!

If you want to go on your own there are plenty of places to spend the night to break up the driving. Make it an awesomeweekend trip from Vegas!

Another option is theWest Rim Grand Canyon from Vegas– it’s only 2.5 hours’ drive and super spectacular as well. You canbook a tourand leave the driving to someone else while you enjoy the journey.

Great Basin

Interested in seeing the oldest living creatures on earth? TheBristlecone Pinesare said to have been around for nearly 5,000 years.

And they’re known to be in the Great Basin National Park which is only a 4.5 hour drive from Vegas.

Great Basin is also known for awesome hikes, stargazing,Wheeler Peakscenic drive, and tours of theLehman Caves.

With so many cool things to explore, Great Basin is totally one of the best national parks close to Vegas.

Capitol Reef

Nothing can quite prepare you for your first view of the Waterpocket Fold of Capitol Reef.

This incredible geological formation is a great demonstration of how powerful the earth truly is.

As one of Utah’s Mighty 5, this national park is a definite must-do and it’s just over five hours from Las Vegas.

You can explore Capitol Reef by driving Highway 24. But hiking will likely be tops on your agenda, especially since you just drove 330 miles from Vegas to get here.

Check out theHickman Bridgetrail in the morning, pick some apples in the orchard and view the petroglyphs. For a longer hike tryCassidy Arch TrailandGrand Washand be sure to watch the day’s end atSunset Point.

Petrified Forest

Visit the land of long ago at the Petrified Forest in Arizona.

There are so many amazing things to see atPetrified Forest, it’s incredible that this national park is so close to Las Vegas.

In about 5.5 hours from downtown, you’ll be able to see petrified trees that are said to be 225 million years old.

There’s also thePuerco Puebloand amazingPetroglyphsdating back to the 1300s.

Great hikes in the park includeBlue Mesa Trail, and theGiant Logs.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon

At Sequoia and Kings Canyon you’ll check off some of the “greats” on your coolest things to see list.

These two awesome national parks in California are where you can seeGeneral Sherman, the largest tree in the world andMount Whitney, the tallest mountain in the contiguous US.

These national parks are close to Las Vegas. But as it will take about 7 hours to get there, it’s a good idea to make it a long weekend getaway or spend a week or more and explore to your heart’s content.

Yosemite

Yosemite is yet another bucket-list item. Lucky for us, it’s one of the national parks near Las Vegas.

The drive is totally doable but clocking about 7 hours, plan to spend a few nights.

With so much to see and do, it’s easy to understand why Yosemite is a national favorite.

Be sure to putYosemite Valley,El Capitan,Half Dome,Vernal Falls, and theUpper and Lower Yosemite Falls Trailon the itinerary.

Arches

See first-hand the power of mother nature atArches National Park in Utah, one of the most unique national parks near Las Vegas.

This incredible national park gets its name from the over 2,000 naturally formed arches throughout the landscape.

You’ll be in awe of ones likeDelicate Archand rock formations likeBalanced Rock.

Read our list offive easy hikes at Arches.

Although it takes almost 7 hours to drive to Arches, there’s so much to see that you’ll agree the 450 mile drive is totally worth it.

Also, it’s easy to combine a road trip to Arches with our next national park on the list…

Canyonlands

Canyonlands is yet another one of Utah’s Mighty 5 and yep, you guessed, it’s one of the greatest national parks near Las Vegas.

The drive takes about 7 hours to cover the 465 miles between Vegas and Canyonlands.

Although it’s far, it’s seriously worth the drive. And you can easily combine Canyonlands with Arches road trip from Vegas.

Canyonlands has over 330,000 acres of beautiful landscape to discover.

Around every bend are jaw-dropping views likeIsland in the Sky Overlook,Grand View Point,Mesa Arch,Shafer Canyon Overlook,andThe Needles.

Final Thoughts on National Parks Close to Vegas

Who would have thought that Sin City is the perfect home base for adventures into the great outdoors? But as you can see, there are so many national parks near Las Vegas. Within just a few hours’ drive, you’ll be trekking through the wondrous landscape that mother nature has provided us.

More US National Parks to Visit

Guide to Glacier National Park (Montana)

15 Best Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Planning a Trip to Yellowstone

13 Best Things to Do in Olympic National Park (Washington)

Guide to Saguaro National Park (East and West)

8 Cool Things to Do in Acadia National Park (Maine)

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