Bright Lights, Big Outdoors
Love an exciting trip to Las Vegas but also have an itch to explore the great outdoors? Plan to tack on a daytrip (or two) at one of the many nearby national parks before checking in to, or after checking out of, your Hilton Grand Vacations stay in the City of Lights.
To help you plan, here’s a guide to three nearby parks worth exploring on your next Vegas adventure.
Death Valley National Park
About 2 hours and 15 minutes northwest of the Strip
Don’t let the park’s name fool you: Death Valley’s 3 million acres offer a whole world of diversity to explore. The park contains a significant portion of the northern Mojave Desert, is surrounded by (sometimes) snow-capped mountains and is home to the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere. It’s also one of the hottest and driest places in the country, which is why fall, winter and spring are better seasons to visit than summer. For those seeking to visit in or around spring, when temperatures are not too extreme, check out the National Park Service’s wildflower page. It details when each flower species bloom.
*Bryce Canyon National Park. Photo by Club Member John Scarsi.
Bryce Canyon National Park
About 4 hours northeast of the Strip
With more hoodoos—giant spire-shaped sandstone formations—than anywhere in the world, Bryce Canyon National Park invites visitors to admire its otherworldly landscape. From April to October, take advantage of the park’s free hop-on, hop-off shuttle, which will bring you to several outlook points and trailheads. For a moderate hike with a frame-worthy view of the canyon at Inspiration Point, follow the 5.5-mile Rim Trail from north to south. In winter, grab some skis or snowshoes instead. And no matter what time of year you visit, Bryce boasts one of the darkest skies in the country, making it a stargazers’ haven.
*Zion National Park. Photo by Club Member John Scarsi.
Zion National Park
About 3 hours northeast of the Strip
In southwest Utah awaits the impressive Zion National Park. Its 2,000-foot limestone and sandstone cliffs, altered by years of lava flows and erosion, form a landscape like no other—full of domes and canyons peppered with greenery that contrasts with the park’s iconic red rocks. In fall, travelers will see colorful vistas in the high mountains, with autumn tones spreading down to the lowlands into November. From sunrise to sunset, the park’s yellow and gold leaves glow during this beautiful time of year.
Did you know? ClubPartner Perks Tauck and O.A.R.S. offer guided excursions through Zion National Park, along with other national parks throughout the U.S.
Please be aware Country Walkers will no longer be offered as a ClubPartner Perk redemption option as of March 1, 2018. All existing reservations and certificates will be honored and remain valid, subject to existing terms and conditions.
*Photo at top of page: The Milky Way over Death Valley National Park. Photo by Ferrantraite / Getty Images.