12 Unforgettable Fall Getaways From Las Vegas
Often hailed as “The Entertainment Capital of the World,” it might be hard to ever imagine leaving Las Vegas to seek adventures elsewhere. But for everyone who spends a lot of time in Las Vegas, it’s easy to catch that urge to head out and experience all the natural wonders nearby. While Southern Nevada is best known for its location within the Mojave Desert, this region has far more diverse and beautiful landscapes than what one would expect for the driest corner of North America.
In fact, within a three-hour drive of the Las Vegas Strip, travelers can explore everything from towering mountains and lush verdant forests to scenic sandstone canyons and lovely river views. Even better, the cooler fall weather makes it much more comfortable to experience more of these places that tend to get very hot and/or crowded during the summer season. With all this said, here are 12 unforgettable fall getaways from Las Vegas that are less than a three-hour drive away.
Grand Canyon West
The Grand Canyon truly is one of the world’s grandest natural wonders, and Grand Canyon West offers a vibrant new perspective on Arizona’s most famous natural landmark. Located on Hualapai tribal land (about 129 miles east of Las Vegas), Grand Canyon West offers a uniquely immersive experience where visitors can learn more about the indigenous communities who have run this tribal reservation since 1883. At Eagle Point, walk the famous glass-bottom Grand Canyon Skywalk that extends 70 feet over the canyon rim. While here, watch one of the indigenous cultural shows that happen every weekend and take a tour of the Native American Village that features authentic housing and sweat lodges.
While here, take advantage of the cooler autumn days and enjoy outdoor adventures like whitewater rafting in the Colorado River, and helicopter tours that lead all the way down to the canyon floor. At Hualapai Point, Grand Canyon West even has a zipline that extends for some 3,200 feet, soars 500 feet above a side canyon, and runs as fast as 40 miles per hour! For a longer stay, Grand Canyon West offers cabins and hotel rooms, as well as RV parking near the Skywalk.
St. George
As the largest city in Southern Utah, St. George offers a nice blend of comfortable urban amenities, unique small-town charm, and phenomenal natural scenery all around. Though St. George is only about 125 miles northeast of Las Vegas, the lack of casino gaming and the abundance of local and regional parks make St. George feel a world away. During the autumn months, the mild weather makes for ideal hiking and biking conditions at the beautiful sandstone red rock trails of Snow Canyon State Park. Closer to downtown, Pioneer Park is another great spot to enjoy some 52 acres of rustic land with trails leading to slot canyons, the Pioneer Cabin, the iconic Dixie Rock, and panoramic views of the region.
Meanwhile, Downtown St. George operates as the historic heart and soul of Southern Utah: The St. George Temple is the LDS Church’s longest operating temple and first temple built in Utah (in 1877), while the Brigham Young Winter Home is where the Church’s President lived and worked from 1870 to 1877. All around St. George, travelers can find a variety of inviting lodging options, from the cozy Mulberry Inn bed-and-breakfast and the chic Advenire boutique hotel downtown to the beautiful Inn at Entrada located inside the private Entrada community. (The Inn at Entrada is especially great for anyone looking to golf at the newly renovated Entrada Snow Canyon championship golf course!)
Zion National Park
Located around 164 miles northeast of Las Vegas (and 42 miles east of St. George), Zion National Park may really be the crown jewel of Utah’s public lands. Enter the park at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center near Springdale and embark on epic hiking expeditions like the ethereal journey to Angels Landing, the famed sandstone rock formation where Methodist minister Frederick Vining Fisher claimed in 1916 that only angels could land there. Another incredible hiking journey is one to The Narrows or a very narrow gorge where the Virgin River flows between rock walls soaring as high as 1,000 feet above the canyon floor. (Note that permits are required to hike Angels Landing and that The Narrows’ availability heavily depends on the weather.)
Even if you can’t commit to the more advanced hiking options at Angels Landing and The Narrows, there’s still plenty of incredible scenery to enjoy throughout Zion National Park, especially during autumn. In particular, the Pa’Rus Trail near the visitor center and Emerald Pools Trail near the lodge are prime spots to catch some incredibly colorful fall foliage that looks even more vibrant against the backdrop of Zion’s red rock formations and electric blue sky. Speaking of the lodge, it is the only hotel located inside the park, and it’s equipped with 76 standard rooms, six suites, 40 historic cabins, and the park’s only restaurants. Try to book your stay at the Zion Lodge as far in advance as possible, or else you will probably need to book a hotel in the town of Springdale.
Cedar City
For world-class autumn leaf-peeping within (relatively) easy reach of Las Vegas, Cedar City is the place to be. Only 175 miles to the northeast along a mostly straight shoot up the I-15 freeway, Cedar City sits over a mile (more specifically, 5,847 feet) above sea level, where Southern Utah’s iconic red rock landscapes blend into thickly forested mountains. From Cedar City, take Highway 14 east to Cedar Breaks National Monument to discover incredible views of the natural limestone amphitheater that spans for some three miles and drops some 2,500 feet below. For perhaps the best fall colors, take Highway 148 and Highway 143 north to Brian Head and Parowan to find maple and oak forests that sport the finest orange and golden hues during autumn.
After a long day of exploring the backcountry, return to Cedar City and enjoy a casual stroll through the historic downtown. From charming local art galleries and colorful murals to tasty restaurants, a farmers’ market (on Saturdays), and even the IG Winery, Cedar City has plenty of cool options for kicking back and enjoying the unique mountain town vibes. When it comes to overnight stays, Cedar City has several hotels and motels in town, along with vacation rental units and even some RV parks.
Boulder City and the Hoover Dam
As the days shorten and the weather cools, Boulder City becomes a much more inviting escape from the hustle and bustle of the Las Vegas Strip that’s only 25 miles away. Originally established in 1930 to house the workers building the Hoover Dam, Boulder City stands out from the rest of Southern Nevada in that there are no casinos here. The heart of the city still looks and feels like a small town with its wide assortment of local boutiques and restaurants, and the Nevada State Railroad Museum offers glimpses into life in the early days of Boulder City and during the golden age of locomotive transportation.
Of course, no day trip to Boulder City feels complete without a trip to the Hoover Dam itself! About eight miles east of Downtown Boulder City, Hoover Dam has functioned to form Lake Mead, store water, control floods, and generate hydroelectric power since 1936. Now, it’s also the perfect spot for visitors to catch stunning views of the Colorado River and the golden desert landscapes that stretch across two states (Nevada and Arizona). If you feel like extending your stay in Boulder City, the historic Boulder Dam Hotel has welcomed guests since 1933, and it continues to offer timeless hospitality with its stately rooms and tasty on-site restaurants.
Red Rock Canyon
This may be the shortest distance from the Las Vegas Strip (about 19 miles west), yet Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area offers much of Southern Nevada’s most dramatically colorful natural scenery. Year-round, Red Rock Canyon features about 31 miles of trails, a 13-mile-long scenic road to bike or drive, and plenty of mesmerizing views of the park’s namesake 180 million-year-old Aztec Sandstone rock formations. But during autumn, Red Rock becomes one of Vegas’ best places to enjoy lovely views of oak and ash trees and their leaves sporting bright shades of gold and orange. In particular, Ash Springs at Calico Basin and Oak Creek Canyon are great for fall leaf-peeping.
While Red Rock Canyon’s Scenic Drive is open every day, timed entry reservations are required from October through May. The park also has a visitor center full of interpretive exhibits that let you learn more about the desert environment, along with a staffed reception desk that can answer any questions and a gift shop featuring cool keepsakes. To learn even more about the area’s fascinating Old West history, head to the nearby Spring Mountain Ranch State Park and explore a working ranch with a fascinating Hollywood backstory that’s operated here since the 1860s.
Mount Charleston
Soaring some 11,917 feet above sea level, Mount Charleston is Southern Nevada’s tallest mountain peak, and the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area where Mount Charleston lies (about 41 miles northwest of the Las Vegas Strip) makes for an invigorating alpine escape high above the Mojave Desert floor. Thanks to their high elevation (around 7,500 to 8,660 feet above sea level), fall foliage can appear in areas like Kyle Canyon and Lee Canyon as early as August, and peak fall foliage often occurs around late September and early October. Kyle and Lee Canyons offer multiple hiking trails, including the Upper Bristlecone Trail (at Lee Canyon), with aspen groves that are especially worth visiting during autumn.
Due to the high elevation, snow can start falling at Mount Charleston as early as October. Lee Canyon offers everything from chairlift rides and designated mountain bike trails to restaurants and a fully stocked sports shop, as well as skiing and snowboarding once the winter season begins (usually in December). For overnight stays, head over to the Mt. Charleston Lodge at Kyle Canyon to book a cabin, enjoy mountain-style meals at the on-site restaurant, and take in all the wondrous views of the surrounding mountains and forests.
Gold Butte National Monument
Spanning nearly 300,000 acres of rugged public lands about 113 miles northeast of Las Vegas, Gold Butte National Monument still appears to be one of the Desert Southwest’s best-kept secrets. Since Gold Butte still has few amenities on site, this can be a tough park to visit during the scorching summer months. Yet once the weather starts to cool down in fall, visitors have an easier time navigating the Gold Butte Back Country Byway to reach the Whitney Pockets, a colorful collection of sandstone formations shaped by thousands of years’ worth of water and wind erosion.
From the Whitney Pockets, embark on the ultimate adventure to the ghost town of Gold Butte that opened as a mining outpost in 1908, marvel at the park’s array of petroglyphs and rock art, and make your way to Little Finland for sandstone landscapes that feel otherworldly. While camping is available at designated sites like Cabin Canyon and the Whitney Pockets, keep in mind that camping is very primitive here, and cell service is limited at best. For more creature comforts, head to the nearby town of Mesquite to stay at full-service hotels like the Eureka Casino Resort.
Death Valley National Park
With a name like Death Valley, this park might seem especially frightening to visit during the summer months, when temperatures often surge past 110° Fahrenheit on the desert floor. But once temperatures start to cool to less unbearably hot levels during the fall season, a Death Valley road trip (about 118 miles northwest of Las Vegas) becomes a much more inviting affair. By car, it’s possible to drive to North America’s lowest point (282 feet below sea level) at Badwater Basin, the surreal array of colors (ranging from red and pink to green and blue) at the volcanic deposits at Artists Palette, and the stark desert and mountain views at Zabriskie Point.
By November, it’s safer and more comfortable to hike trails at areas like the Badwater Salt Flats, the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, and Willow Canyon (which has a refreshing seasonal waterfall). For ambitious bikers, roads like Salt Creek Road, Hole-in-the-Wall Road, and Artist’s Drive are great for riding. For longer excursions, Furnace Creek Campground has multiple amenities and 18 RV parking slots with full hookups, while The Oasis at Death Valley underwent a recent renovation and now offers a lovely collection of rooms, suites, casitas, and pool bungalows.
Mojave National Preserve
Across the California state line and about 89 miles south of Las Vegas, Mojave National Preserve is perfect for a chill, quiet Mojave Desert getaway. As is the case with the region’s other major parks, the cooler autumn weather makes this unique expanse of the natural desert environment a much more pleasant place to explore. Head to Kelso Dunes to discover sand dunes reaching up to 600 feet high and native animal species that you won’t find anywhere else. Hit the Teutonia Peak Trail to hike the world’s largest Joshua Tree forest. And though this park doesn’t have any designated bike paths, it nonetheless has an abundance of paved and dirt roads that are great for biking.
If you’d like to stay in the park, Mojave National Preserve has the Hole-in-the-Wall and Mid Hills Campgrounds that accommodate tents and RVs. For lodging options with more creature comforts, hop across the Nevada state line for a collection of three full-service casino hotels in Primm. If you just need some food, a few souvenirs, and a chance to stretch your legs before hitting the road again, go to Baker to catch a glimpse of the “World’s Tallest Thermometer” and grab some astoundingly tasty Greek fare at The Mad Greek.
Laughlin
About 96 miles southeast of Las Vegas, Laughlin has often felt stuck in Vegas’ shadow with its smaller stretch of casino hotels along Casino Drive near the Colorado River. But for those who find the Las Vegas Strip to be a dizzying cacophony of sensory overload, Laughlin’s Casino Drive can be a much more relaxing experience with its more laid-back casino floors. Outside the casinos, the fall weather provides ideal conditions for paddle boating, scenic cruises, jet skiing, and even fishing on the Colorado River. Back on dry land, the Colorado River Heritage Greenway Park makes a great launchpad for easy walks and cool hikes sporting lovely river views.
With the cooler autumn weather comes prime opportunities for perfect days at the links. Mojave Resort Golf Club offers a championship course that’s welcoming for golfers at all skill levels, and similarly inviting golf courses like Laughlin Ranch Golf Club, El Rio Golf, and Huukan Golf Club can be found right across the river (and the Arizona state line). Since Laughlin is a major casino gaming destination, hotels and resorts abound: The Golden Nugget, Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort, and Harrah’s Laughlin Beach Resort are likely your best bets.
Lake Havasu
Though Lake Havasu may be better known for its freewheeling spring break season, fall is another prime time to visit this scenic oasis at the Colorado River. As the weather cools down, the action picks up at the water. Cruising Tikis Havasu offers floating tiki bars that serve cool cocktails on the refreshing waters of the Colorado River, plus Havasu has plenty more options for boating and cruising. In addition, Havasu’s shores are great to kick off kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding adventures on the open water. And yes, Lake Havasu really does have the original London Bridge that was built in the U.K. in the 1830s, then moved here in 1971.
Beyond the river, Lake Havasu has plenty more to do on dry land. Golfers can especially rejoice in the region’s wealth of championship-level greens, including the Bridgewater Links Golf Course, sporting charming views of the London Bridge, and the Iron Wolf Golf and Country Club, featuring real Augusta white sand, new water accents, and lovely mountain views. For accommodations, visitors have a wide array of options: Camping is available at Lake Havasu and Cattail Cove State Parks, while The Nautical Beach Resort and London Bridge Resort have plenty of bells and whistles that make for a relaxing stay.
From towering mountains and forests overflowing with fall foliage at places like Cedar City at Mount Charleston to gorgeous sandstone vistas at Red Rock Canyon and Gold Butte, Las Vegas locals, and visitors have a wonderful array of options for unforgettable fall getaways. Whether you prefer warm and relaxing days at the golf course in Lake Havasu or you want thrilling hikes and bikes through the stunning desert wilderness at Death Valley, there is so much to see, do, and experience within a three-hour drive of Vegas. Even if you’re only up for a short day trip, it’s surprisingly easy to escape to a whole new environment and gain a whole new perspective on this special stretch of the Southwest.
