Southern Nevada Has More Than Las Vegas

I lived in Las Vegas for about six and a half years before I moved to Boulder City, Nevada. I have been to many of the hotels on the strip including Mandalay Bay, Treasure Island, the Monte Carlo, Imperial Palace and Circus Circus. Sure, the Las Vegas Strip has a lot of famous stars, shows and neon lights, but there is much more to be enjoyed outside of the Desert Jewel known as Sin City. If you drive for just a few minutes to the west of the Strip, you will be in an entirely different environment. Just west of Las Vegas is the beautiful Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area. For those people who live in Las Vegas or somewhere else in Southern Nevada, you may know what I am talking about. I have been out there many times as I've grown up and I have the stunning pictures to prove it.

The Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area has many wonderful trails you can hike and a beautiful scenic overlook that you can park near. The cliffs rise several hundred feet into the air and make a person feel like an ant. Wild horses and burrow roam the landscape as people drive the scenic loop. Nestled among the cliffs in the western most portion of Red Rock is Bonnie Springs. This charming place is home to a children's petting zoo. I remember petting the goat and having a yelling contest with a goose. Bonnie Springs also has a real western feel to it. I remember watching the staged shootouts that would take place between the cowboys. It really felt like the wild wild west. In addition to the breathtaking landscape and interesting attractions, Red Rock offers Southern Nevadans a chance to cool off from sweltering temperatures in the lower deserts.

Just a few minutes from Red Rock Canyon and about a half hour to forty five minutes from Las Vegas is Mt. Charleston, a mountain that rises almost twelve thousand feet into the air. Beautiful aspens and pines cover the landscape and temperatures here run up to twenty five degrees cooler than in the Las Vegas Valley. There are numerous picnic areas, trails, camping locations, and gorgeous log cabins. There is also a lot of beautiful wildlife that resides in the mountains including mountain lions. Thankfully, the chances of running across one are very slim.

Another great location to visit while in Southern Nevada is the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The largest man made reservoir in the United States is just a thirty minute drive from Las Vegas. There are many opportunities for recreation here including boating, fishing, picnicking, and swimming. Be careful as temperatures can rise up to 125 degrees during the hottest summer days.

Whether you are driving through the state to get to California or some other location consider stopping for a break in Southern Nevada and see what it has to offer. I promise you won't be disappointed.