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Even though there are so many fun things to do in Sin City, there are also a lot of great weekend trips from Las Vegas if you’re looking for a getaway.
Although seemingly located in the middle of nowhere in the Nevada desert, Las Vegas is a central location for exploring the southwestern United States. Many fabulous, man-made or natural, places can be just weekend trips from Las Vegas.
While living here in Vegas, we made it our mission to go on a lot of weekend trips and really take advantage of the location of the city because it really is a great home base for so many incredible destinations from LA to Sedona and everything in between.
Below is my list of where to go when you need a weekend trip from Las Vegas.
Big Bear, California
⌛Distance from Las Vegas: 3 hours 30 minutes
Big Bear, California, is a four-season destination with soaring peaks and deep blue waters. Whether you’re a water skier or a snow skier, this would be a perfect weekend getaway from Las Vegas.
Big Bear is a sanctuary for wildlife lovers and outdoor adventurers. You can get there by car in less than a day. If you decide to fly, it’ll be about an hour and a half flight with a 2-hour drive out of Los Angeles.
Either way, this weekend trip from Las Vegas will help you reset and enjoy before you head back into the city.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
⌛Distance from Las Vegas: 4 hours
For our next destination of road trips from Las Vegas, you’ll head east instead of west. The Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is just hours away from the city.
This marvel of natural architecture is visited by thousands from all over the world every year. From Las Vegas, it’s only a couple of podcast episodes away. You can spend the weekend hiking and camping, or if you want to make it a romantic weekend getaway from Las Vegas, book a site at a glamping resort.
The Grand Canyon should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Joshua Tree National Park, California
⌛Distance from Las Vegas: 3 hours
Joshua Tree National Park is characterized by the Joshua Tree, the beautifully spindly, spiky tree that covers the Mojave Desert. Every tree takes a slightly different form, from tall and long to short and bunched.
When I moved to Vegas, I, for some reason, didn’t realize that Joshua Trees are actually here, too. But, even though I could see one out my window at my apartment, it was still worth the drive to the national park to see a whole bunch in just one area.
This desert forest results from two deserts meeting, the Mojave and the Colorado. You’ll witness some of the most magnificent sunsets and magical night skies. This is one of the weekend trips from Las Vegas that don’t just take you out of the city but into another world.
Page, Arizona
⌛Distance from Las Vegas: 4 hours 15 minutes
Page, AZ, is the outdoor headquarters of Northern Arizona. Once there, you’re a little more than a stone’s throw away from some of the state’s finest natural sites, such as Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Glen Canyon, and the Vermilion Cliffs.
Now if the 4-hour drive to Page was enough road-tripping for you, then the city has plenty to offer as a weekend getaway from Las Vegas. Spend your weekend hiking, golfing, boating, or just walking around the cute streets of Page. Eat at Page’s various restaurants, serving all kinds of cuisine.
Then, choose your preferred method of accommodation: get cozy in a sleeping bag, relax while glamping, or experience the hospitality of one of the city’s excellent hotels.
Sedona, Arizona
⌛Distance from Las Vegas: 4 hours 20 minutes
The Arizona town that has songs written about her is just a weekend trip from Las Vegas. Jessie and I went down to Sedona to celebrate my birthday in January and absolutely loved it!
Sedona is surrounded by red rock monoliths, green, mesmeric vineyards, and an abounding cultural and artistic feel. Take the newly instituted Sedona Shuttle to the most popular trailheads, do a little wine tasting, and then spend some time exploring just what compels artists to include Sedona in their lyrics.
Add Sedona to your list of weekend romantic getaways from Las Vegas.
Los Angeles, California
⌛Distance from Las Vegas: 4 hours
Trading in a weekend in Nevada for a weekend on the beach? Say no more. Los Angeles is ready for you.
Take half a day to drive to LA or hop on a plane at Harry Reid Airport and end up in LAX just over an hour later. From there, drop your luggage off at the hotel, change into swimsuits, and hit the sand.
There are many beaches around LA, but we really enjoyed frequenting Venice Beach. This vast city has so much to do and see; you can easily fill one weekend full of activities, delicious food, and sightseeing.
Lake Havasu, Arizona
⌛Distance from Las Vegas: 2 hours 20 minutes
If you’ve never heard of Lake Havasu, go do a quick Google search. This city follows the tropical blue Lake Havasu, complete with beaches and waterfalls.
Another playground for the adventurous, you can boat the lake and hike to the falls or relax on the shoreline with a book and spend your days golfing in the sun.
This is one of the shortest weekend trips from Las Vegas, and absolutely worth it for a fun weekend away.
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
⌛Distance from Las Vegas: 3 hours 50 minutes
Heading up into Utah’s diverse terrain, you’ll find one of the most beautiful landscapes within Bryce Canyon. This is easily one of our favorite national parks – we even named our car after it!
Spend your weekend getaway from Las Vegas amidst the unique hoodoos and forest of green pines, mixing into a vibrant natural palette.
Camp, or glamp, here, falling asleep to the sounds of nature and enjoying the array of stars that comes with Utah’s Dark Sky Parks. You won’t ever want to leave.
If you’re feeling up to it, hike the Peek-a-boo Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon. This is one of our favorite trails, and it’s incredibly unique. Be sure to start in the early morning to avoid the crowds!
Zion National Park, Utah
⌛Distance from Las Vegas: 2 hours 10 minutes
Traveling to Zion National Park is probably one of the most popular weekend trips from Las Vegas, and for good reason. The park follows the Virgin River, which has cut canyons through the mountains. These canyons provide the perfect places to hike, play, and explore the beauty nature has to offer.
I love taking a quick trip here in winter because Zion gets so busy in the summer. The park is incredibly quiet during the winter months, and you’re able to enjoy some of the trails with just a few other hikers.
Zion has a few of the most famous hikes in the United States, including Angel’s Landing and the Narrows.
Salt Lake City, Utah
⌛Distance from Las Vegas: 5 hours 45 minutes
A road trip from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City is a long one, so if you’d prefer to fly right into the SLC airport, do it! The flight only takes a little over an hour to complete.
Salt Lake City is a mountain-encased gem filled with culture, arts, and activities. There is plenty of Utah history to learn about here, plenty of ski resorts just a few minutes into the mountains, and plenty of delicious, experimental food to try.
Want to take your partner away on a romantic getaway from Las Vegas? Salt Lake City is a destination to consider.
Flagstaff, Arizona
⌛Distance from Las Vegas: 3 hours 45 minutes
Flagstaff is another haven for our outdoorsy readers. Any time of year, you’ll find something to do or see in this town.
Spring offers colorful blooms and evergreen trees, summer temperatures are perfect for exploring the area, the colorful blooms of spring fade to another array of colors in the fall, and winter brings more than enough snow to play in.
Phoenix, Arizona
⌛Distance from Las Vegas: 4 hours 30 minutes
From nightclubs to hot air balloons, Phoenix is a great place to spend a weekend away from Las Vegas.
Phoenix not only has some of the great outdoor benefits of its northern neighbors, but it also has all the attractions of an urban city. You can even attend a feast and tournament straight out of medieval times.
This is one of the weekend trips from Las Vegas, great for the whole family, accessible by car or on just over an hour’s flight.
Lake Powell, Arizona
⌛Distance from Las Vegas: 4 hours 10 minutes
The vast blue waters of Lake Powell seem to shock you, appearing suddenly out of a red and white desert. It is a beautiful sight to behold. But you don’t just get to look at it. Hop in; the water’s fine!
Lake Powell is a favorite weekend trip from Las Vegas. Camp on the shore and wake up to the sound of boats skimming the water’s edge. This is the perfect destination for those wanting to take their own boat out for a spin.
Palm Springs, California
⌛Distance from Las Vegas: 4 hours 10 minutes
The adored Palm Springs is a weekend retreat for people all over the West. With luxurious hotels, refreshing pools, and deliciously cold drinks, Palm Springs has everything you need for a fabulous weekend away.
Palm Springs is another one of those getaways that we love visiting. It is a little over 4 hours to get there, but it has such great vibes. Book a stay at the Saguaro Hotel (it’s so colorful!) and then spend your days relaxing by the pool or doing nearby hikes, like Murray Canyon, before heading back to real life.
Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada
⌛Distance from Las Vegas: 7 hours 20 minutes
Now, Lake Tahoe is one heck of a drive from Las Vegas, but if you fly, you’ll make it there in just over an hour. But whether it’s 7 hours or 1, seeing that crystal blue water is worth it either way.
Surrounded by the green mountains of California, Lake Tahoe is a destination for summer or winter vacationers, providing cold blue water for boating and fishing and snowy mountain resorts for skiing and snowboarding.
As you can see, there are plenty of weekend trips from Las Vegas, just far enough to get away but not far enough to need a whole week to get there.
Maybe leave work a little early Friday afternoon and be back, a little more relaxed and rejuvenated, to hit the ground running Monday morning.
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