Although Las Vegas may not seem like the typical destination for hiking, there are plenty of hiking trails around the area for the whole family to enjoy. Red Rock Canyon, Mount Charleston, and Lake Mead are all excellent locations that offer family-friendly hikes and only require a short drive outside of Las Vegas. Take a look at some of these fun hiking trails to bring your kids along!
Red Rock Canyon
Lost Creek – Children’s Discovery Trail
Distance: 0.75 miles (One way)
Difficulty: Easy
If you’re looking for a beginner’s hike to get your kids spending more time outdoors, Lost Creek is the perfect hiking trail for your family. The trail introduces kids to the different features of the Mojave Desert seen at Red Rock Canyon. This includes petroglyphs, desert wildlife, and even a seasonal waterfall – Lost Creek Falls. It’s a great way for kids to learn about desert plants, animals, and how to appreciate wildlife in general.
Pine Creek Canyon
Distance: 3 miles (One way)
Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
Pine Creek Canyon is one of the best places to experience Red Rock Canyon’s diverse wildlife. Along the trail, you can see a variety of plants and trees, including Mojave Yucca, Utah Juniper, and Ponderosa Pine. The Ponderosa Pines are especially unique since they’re normally found at higher elevations. If you continue on the Pine Creek trail, you’ll also pass by the historical remains of Horace Wilson’s old homestead built in the early 1920s.
Mt. Charleston
Fletcher Canyon
Distance: 1.9 miles (One way)
Difficulty: Easy
Located in the Mt. Charleston Wilderness Area, Fletcher Canyon is a hiking trail that goes through a forested canyon surrounded by limestone cliffs. The trail is fairly flat, making it an enjoyable hike for both parents and their children to go on. Visitors can hike through a narrow with 100-foot high walls to reach a seasonal waterfall. Along the way, you’ll encounter various plants such as Pinyon Pine trees, Manzanita, Gambel Oak, and Mountain Mahogany.
Stanley B. Springs
Distance: 1.2 miles (One way)
Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
The Stanley B. Springs Trail runs up the north side of Kyle Canyon to an area of springs, known as the Stanley B. Springs. Hikers can pass through a mixed forest surrounded by Ponderosa Pine, White Fir, and Mountain Mahogany. These trees provide an open habitat for woodland birds, making this trail especially great for bird enthusiasts. Some of the birds you’ll see on the Stanley B. Springs trail include Mountain Chickadee, Cassin’s Finch, and Western Tanager.
Lake Mead
Historic Railroad Trail
Distance: 3.76 miles (One way)
Difficulty: Easy
The Historic Railroad Trail is an old railroad bed above Lake Mead and runs through five tunnels leading to Hoover Dam. The railroad was built in 1931 to help workers haul equipment and materials during the construction of Hoover Dam. Nowadays, the dismantled tracks serve as a flat hiking trail for bikers, joggers, walkers and their pets. Hikers can walk through the historic tunnels while enjoying the beautiful panoramic views of Boulder Basin.
Grapevine Canyon
Distance: 1.7 miles (One way)
Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
Grapevine Canyon brings a colorful and lively perspective to the Mojave Desert. The canyon is a scenic hike where visitors can see a wide array of petroglyphs, spanning from 150 to more than 800 years ago. During non-drought seasons, the freshwater spring allows a variety of desert plants to flourish in the area, such as cottonwood trees, arrowweed, and canyon grape. The spring and small waterfall also draw a number of desert animals to the canyon like the bighorn sheep.
Once you’re done with your day of hiking, here are some other great options to shake up your Vegas adventure: