Wichita to Las Vegas Road Trip Guide

Covering 9, 300 acres, the unique Great Plains State Park is set around a lake which is estimated to be half as salty as the ocean. Located around 46 miles from Enid, the highlight of this park is the unusual geological phenomena of the salt flats. You will definitely want to wear sun cream, with the salty terrain reflecting the sun's harmful UV rays.

There are lots of recreational opportunities in the area, including sight-seeing, horse riding, fishing, nature trails and more. Bird watchers will want to keep their binoculars at the ready, with more than 300 species of protected birds living around the refuge, including golden and bald eagles. Whereas rock hounders will want to explore the crystal digging area, which is available from April 1st to October 15th. If you are really lucky, you may find crystals in an hourglass shape- with this area of Oklahoma being the only place where these can be found in the world. Overnight camping is available at the park, including both tent and RV camping. Sites are dispersed across two campgrounds, River Road and Sandy Beach, andreservations should be made in advance online.

Home to Oklahoma’s largest waterfall, Turner Falls Park is nestled within the Arbuckle mountains. Located just six miles from downtown Davies, this family-friendly state park was named after Mazeppa Thomas Turner. A Scottish farmer who discovered the 77 ft.- falls in 1878. The Black Hills of South Dakota and the Grand Canyon provide a majestic background to this picturesque location, with lots to explore and beautiful scenes around every corner.

As well as hiking, biking, and a visit to Dr. Collings’ Castle, there is a wealth of recreation on-site. For example, the cold refreshing streams offer some of the best trout fishing in the State. However, fishing is only permitted during the winter months, there is a catch limit in place, and you must have a valid Oklahoma fishing license. The park is also home to three caves and two natural swimming pools. You should be careful if you are planning to swim here, there are no lifeguards and water depths can vary greatly. If you are swimming with children under the age of 12, they must wear a floatation device. If you would like to spend the night here, primitive campsites and RV hookups are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Hidden for over 10, 000 years, the Inner Space Caverns are some of the best-preserved caves in the country. Discovered in the early 60s by construction workers who broke down into the caves when laying the highway, this site was opened to the public in 1966. Providing a tour through science, history, and geology, this karst cave offers the chance to see stalactites, stalagmites and the remains of Ice Age animals, with bones and tusks being discovered throughout. You will certainly want to take your camera!

Many sections of the underground caverns are yet to be explored, but the guided walk will take you through 1.2 miles of the subterranean environment. A basic tour is a great option for beginners, and this takes around one and a half hours. However, if you are feeling adventurous, more technical tours are available. It doesn't really flood here but it can get slippy, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes that have a good grip. The tours are not wheelchair accessible, and it is advised that you book ahead to ensure a spot.

From one set of caves and caverns to another, the next stop on our journey is the Longhorn Caverns State Park. Located in Burnet County, Texas, these caverns provide the opportunity to see the world underneath the Lone Star State. Once home to Comanche Native Americans, Confederate Soldiers and reportedly even an outlaw or two, there are so many stories and legends that surround this Hill Country destination.

The main attraction at this park is the Longhorn Cavern itself and there are various guided cave tours available. The basic tour will take you along the ancient underground river bed, as you descend 130 feet below the surface. If you are feeling extra brave, the Wild Cave tour is recommended. This option will take your adventure deeper into the unexplored areas of the cavern but additional safety equipment is required.

Above ground, the historic CCC Observation Tower offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the scenery as well as views of the majestic Falkenstein Castle which is located nearby. You could also head to the visitor center for souvenirs, snacks, gifts, and maps of the nearby hiking trails.

Located in the heart of San Antonio, Texas, the Alamo is a three-hundred-year-old building, which welcomes more than 2.5 million visitors per year. This was originally a Spanish mission that was established on May 1, 1718, and it was built to spread the Roman Catholic religion across the New World. After Spain had lost much of its influence, the complex remained unoccupied until 1803. It was then adopted as a military garrison, which was besieged by Mexican soldiers during the Texas revolution.

The bloody loss became monumental and motivational, and the battle cry ‘Remember the Alamo’ spurred on future soldiers to victory. Learn more about the history of the revolution, as well as the soldiers that lost their lives here as you explore this must-see attraction. Experience the battle, leave your messages on the wall, see the Long Barrack, which is the oldest building in San Antonio, and don’t forget to visit the iconic church. Entrance to the building and grounds is free, but there are options to leave a donation towards the upkeep of the property.

Spread across 7, 677 acres, the San Angelo State Park is located on the shores of the O.C. Fisher Reservoir. The area has been inhabited for thousands of years, and it was first opened as a park in 1995. There are over 50 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horse riding in the park, as well as a range of water sport options, including boating, kayaking, and ramps for fishing.

We recommend the Dinosaur Trail. At just 2.11 miles, this is a beginner-friendly route which includes the 26 sets of fossilized pre-dinosaur tracks that are set within the borders of the park. You may even get the chance to spot native wildlife on your trek, with the region being home to animals such as bison, longhorn sheep, deer and spring turkey.

There are 126 campsites spread across several campgrounds, with camping available year-round. The Red Arroyo campground is particularly popular, and this features 40 electric and water hook up sites as well as the necessary basic amenities. Overlooking the lake, camping here provides the opportunity to witness magical sunsets and spectacular sunrises.

Situated in La Cantera, San Antonio, this Six Flags Fiesta Texas park spans an epic 200 acres. Opening in 1992, this adrenalin boosting attraction promises to be the highlight of the trip for any thrill seeker!

The brave amongst you will want to try Scream, a 205-foot power freefall tower that can be seen from miles away and comes with an excellent view of San Antonio at the top. Their impressive collection of roller coasters also include BATMAN: The Ride, the world’s very first 4D Free-Fly coaster. This uses magnetic technology to flip the coaster- independent of the track. Whereas, the wooden Iron Rattler has been a favorite amongst visitors for years. For the younger visitors, there is a wide choice of rides and we definitely recommend catching a show, with a fab array of live entertainment options throughout the day. Plus, there is a great choice of refreshment on-site, including all the amusement park favorites such as hotdogs, ice cream, and funnel cakes. For the chance to cool down, entrance to the park also includes access to the Water Bay water park, which includes all manner of water rides, slides, and tubes.

Roswell, New Mexico, is an area that has been associated with the extraterrestrial, and it was once home to one of the most famous UFO incidents in the world. Whether it was evidence of life from another galaxy, a weather balloon or something else, this paranormal site is now visited by hundreds of thousands of people each year- all trying to get to the bottom of the Roswell incident.

In 1947, an unidentified flying object supposedly crashed into a ranch here and ever since there have been alien sightings and even supposed abductions. In the early 1990s, Walter Haut, a public information officer at the Airfield at the time of the crash, developed the idea of opening a museum to contain relevant information about this and other alien sightings in the area. There is a wide range of exhibits on display here providing visitors the opportunity to learn more about the Roswell incident as well as alien abductions, area 51, crop circles and more.

Lake Mohave is a reservoir on the Colorado River, and it extends 67 miles from the Hoover Dam to the Davies Dam. Half of the lake is in Nevada and the other half is in Arizona with facilities at Katherine’s Landing AZ and at Cottonwood Cove, which is situated just east of Searchlight in Nevada. The water temperatures are constantly cold here, and popular recreational activities include swimming, kayaking, fishing, boating, and water skiing.

Along the lake, there are many beaches which are boat accessible only, with secluded coves that are ideal for lazing in the sun. There is also a choice of hot springs in the area, providing the chance to soak away your worries in the warm waters. If you enjoy scuba diving, the Black Canyon has excellent diving conditions. Alternatively, more experienced divers may want to check out the Ringbolt Rapids, but the fast waters here are certainly a challenge.

Bass fishing is particularly popular here, with striped bass being the major sport fish. However, you need to check out the specific requirements for obtaining a fishing license. Regulations indicate that you need one from either Arizona or Nevada, and there should be a stamp from the other State attached.