Vol. 3, No. 9, September 2007
RSS Feeds
The Great Outdoors
Valley offers plenty of excursions to get the blood moving
Many people wrongly say “there’s nothing to do outside in Las Vegas.” They think the only things to do in the city are centered around the hotels and casinos. While the casinos offer plenty of things to do indoors, Casino Connection Nevada searched the Las Vegas Valley for outdoor excursions—other than a trip to a swimming pool—that you can take advantage of as the beautiful weather of late summer comes to the area.
Old Standbys
Classic outdoor excursions only a short drive from the city include Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and Mount Charleston. The last two are popular throughout the summer, with the higher elevations on the mountain offering a respite from the scorching heat on the valley floor, and the cooling waters of Lake Mead serving as a way to keep cool amidst the elevated temperatures in this lower-elevation area. Hoover Dam, by contrast, is uncomfortably hot during the summer, with temperatures ten or more degrees warmer than they are in Las Vegas. And all that concrete soaking up the sun makes it worse.
With the more temperate weather of late summer, Hoover Dam becomes a more reasonable outing. Just 35 miles from Las Vegas, Hoover Dam towers more than 700 feet above the Colorado River. The visitor center, open from 9 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., is the first place to visit. In addition to a host of educational information and movies about the construction of one of the modern engineering wonders of the world, the visitor center also serves as the launching point for the guided tours of the dam. Expert guides take visitors down through the interior of the dams where they see the power-generating turbines that provide power to much of the West, down to the base of this National Historic Landmark and breathtaking views of this magnificent structure.
The Hoover Dam holds back the mighty Colorado River, creating the 16th largest man-made lake in the world, Lake Mead. Open 24 hours, the Lake Mead Recreation Area is a great getaway for valley residents.
The lake, about 30 miles from Downtown Las Vegas, has an entrance fee (good for up to five days) of $5 per vehicle—frequent visitors should look into the annual pass, which only costs $20. Boaters will also incur a lake use fee of $10 for the first vessel, and $5 for additional vessels. Like the entrance fee, the lake use permit is valid for five days.
Lodging is available close by and food can be purchased at the Lake Mead Marina, Las Vegas Boat Harbor and Overton Beach. Shower facilities are available at Callville Bay for those on longer stays. The area also features eight campgrounds, seven RV camps with hookups, five marinas, boat and jet ski rentals and more.
Spanning 1.5 million acres, the lake is a great spot in summer and fall. Visitors can cool themselves in the water, or enjoy the natural beauty of the area with evening lake tours.
On the western edge of the valley, Mount Charleston has been a popular summer retreat dating back to the early days of Las Vegas—that is, before air conditioning made summer days tolerable. Early settlers knew to escape the heat by heading to higher elevations, and as summer becomes fall, this is the last chance to explore the mountain without having to bundle up for the winter snowfall.
Mount Charleston is a 35-mile drive northwest from the Las Vegas Strip. The scenic ride leaves the valley floor heading up to Alpine mountainside, passing through several climate zones in a trip comparable to a journey from the desert Southwest to the Canadian Arctic. Changes in elevation produce climates suitable for different vegetation, ranging from the common Sonoran creosote bush and Joshua trees at lower elevations to piñyon-juniper forests in the transition zones and ending with ponderosa pines, scrub oak and bristlecone pines at the higher elevations. The highest elevations are above the tree line, in an area where only small shrubs and grasses can survive.
Lodging and food are available at Mount Charleston Lodge and Mount Charleston Hotel. Open year round, Mount Charleston is popular for both hiking and camping. There are more than 200 campsites and 160 picnic areas available on the mountain. There are also 52 miles of hiking trails, including beginner and kid-friendly trails like Mary Jane Falls—about an hour-long, two-mile trail. Half-day hikes include Big Falls and Cathedral Rock. For animal lovers, wild horses still roam at the 10-mile Bonanza Peak.
Savage Beauty
Two of the most awe-inspiring, naturally beautiful areas in the world are no more than a 45-minute drive from Las Vegas. The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and the Valley of Fire State Park provide close up views of some of the most interesting and colorful rock formations in the country.
Just 20 minutes west of Las Vegas off Charleston Road, Red Rock Canyon is open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. There is a $5 entrance fee assessed per car ($2 per motorcycle) but if you head out after 5 p.m. on any day other than a holiday, the toll booths are usually closed and you can get in for free. The closing time is strictly enforced. You can get a permit to stay in the park past closing, but without one, park rangers willingly hand out $125 tickets to those who don’t leave in time.
Formed by a number of geological forces including fractured faults, Red Rock Canyon—part of the Mojave Desert—offers visitors a year-round opportunity to experience nature. Some cliffs reach 3,000 feet. Keystone Thrust is one of the more scenic areas, while the canyon is home to about 200 different mammals including burros, bighorn sheep, coyotes, rabbits, red tail hawks, hummingbirds, bobcats and mountain lions.
There are a number of trails that range in difficulty from moderate to extreme. If you don’t have much experience scurrying up and down rocks, or are with children or the elderly, stick to the more moderate loops that avoid drastic changes in elevation. The trails are outlined on maps available at the entrance gate as well as the visitor center.
North of Las Vegas sits the oldest state park in Nevada, Valley of Fire. This area features many rock formations of the same color and geographic history as those found in Red Rock, but the area is considerably more expansive. It can be approached off of I-15 (exit Valley of Fire) or through the Lake Mead Recreation Area.
Valley of Fire also offers a number of trails of varying difficulty. There are also numerous artifacts from the area’s earliest inhabitants, including petroglyphs.
The extra-terrestrial landscape of Valley of Fire is where Captain Kirk fell to his death in Star Trek Generations, and has been seen in countless other movies. One hiking trail takes visitors past the remnants of an old set used during the production of The Professionals.
Ride ‘Em Cowboy
Those looking to experience a taste of Western hospitality and rekindle their relationship with nature might find pleasure with the Cowboy Trail Rides.
A family-owned tour business for nearly 15 years, Cowboy Trail Rides entertains individuals, families and groups both small and large. Featuring horseback trail rides, horse-drawn wagon excursions, barbecue dinners and live music, the tours range from $45 to $329 WOW Ride, which includes a five-hour package complete with rides and a lunch. Transportation is also available to and from the west side of the Las Vegas Strip.
“We offer guests a unique experience in the mountains with desert views that are quite spectacular,” said Tom Flagg, spokesman for Cowboy Trail Rides.
Located in the heart of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Cowboy Trail Rides’ ranch offers miles of desert settings with professional cowboy and cowgirl guides to assist. They even offer lessons for children and are first-timer friendly.
Nature lovers experience a variety of vegetation—including cactus, yucca, Joshua trees, grasses, bushes and flowers—and wildlife opportunities with wild burro, quail, hawks and chuckar. The tours are perfect for corporate outings and team-building exercises.
Open daily except Christmas, Flagg says the ride is safe and can be romantic. “It’s a walk not a gallop, so safety is really our focus,” he said. “Our rides are peaceful, quiet and can be romantic. It’s definitely something different than the casino environment.”
We recommend the Sunset BBQ and Trail Ride for $159 including the one-hour horseback ride, dinner and entertainment. The Sunset BBQ and Trail Ride transitions to Mount Charleston during summer months for customer comfort.
Off-road with SUVs
With nearly 50 years of experience entertaining families, friends, couples and individuals, Pink Jeep Tours has been operating in the Las Vegas Valley for six years.
According to Pink Jeep Tours sales and marketing representative Earl Jobson, the company offers tours at various hours with morning and afternoon excursions and half-day and full-day journeys.
Providing off-road adventures at destinations including Valley of Fire, Red Rock Canyon, Zion National Park, Grand Canyon, Death Valley and Hoover Dam, Pink Jeep Tours “accommodate those casino workers with various hours,” said Jobson.
The SUV tours offer a rugged adventure with Native American history and culture, nature, geology and panoramic views from just $79. With personalized excursions of six to eight passengers per vehicle, the tour operator is one of just a few local companies with off-road permits.
Pink Jeep Tour guides are professionally trained in first aid and CPR and experience a six-week comprehensive training program.
We recommend the Grand Canyon Tour complete with a Sky Walk visit. “It’s our most popular tour right now,” said Jobson.
Motorcycles and Golf Carts
For motorcycle and golf enthusiasts, here are a few options for outdoor fun in the Las Vegas Valley.
The world’s largest motorcycle tourism company, EagleRider is a recreation and tourist organization that is pioneering the new industry of motorcycle tourism. The international company rents motorcycles and other vehicles to those who enjoy the outdoors and traveling the world, from motorcycles to typical power-sport vehicles like ATVs, dirt bikes, personal watercraft and snowmobiles.
Although EagleRider customers are generally focused around recognized tourist destinations with beautiful weather and a scenic setting for motorcycle touring or adventure exploring, they do plan routes that include national parks, historic trails and famous metropolitan areas.
Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Los Angeles, the company’s website includes listings of rental options for pricing and voyages along with one-way rental specials.
Sterling Golf Services offers a unique program for casino workers—one that helps both the workers and their customers. According to Steve Zyla, co-owner of Sterling Golf Services, the company plans, organizes and coordinates golf events from individuals up to 144 players.
“We have our finger on the pulse of what’s going on in the golf community. We are ideal for gaming workers, who have friends or family coming to town. Maybe a bachelor party or guys’ weekend out,” Zyla said. “And, we offer a commission program bonus to gaming workers who send business our way. It’s a great way for them to make a few extra bucks.”
Sterling Golf secures groups the best golf venue and pricing fits for the Las Vegas Valley at more than 90 percent of the area’s courses including Silverstone Golf Club, Badlands, Primm Valley Resort and Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort. The company can take care of rental clubs (even have them delivered to hotels), transportation, tournament prizes, food and beverage and banquet/award receptions.
