State Parks near Las Vegas, NV

Sick of all the hustle and bustle of the big cities? Want to hide away for a few days? Beaver Dam State Park is in the middle of nowhere. Just over an hour from Caliente, three and a half hours from Vegas, and two hours from St. George, you’ll be hard-pressed to find more seclusion than this, but the beauty of the park and nature viewing is worth the trip.Beaver Dam State Park has a history of disaster. In the early to mid-1930s, the CCC dammed up the area and started construction on the land building amenities and trails for visitors. Storms and faulty manufacturing caused the dam to burst and flood out the park two …

Set in a narrow valley, Cathedral Gorge State Park is a wonderland of jagged clay spires and rugged slot canyons. The ethereal landscape is tens of millions of years in the making and was formed when volcanic explosions from the Caliente Caldera Complex fractured the bedrock and deposited thick layers of ash in the newly formed valley. Over time, forces of wind and water eroded the ash deposits and shaped the cathedral-like spires and winding caves you see today.After being awarded state park status in 1935, Cathedral Gorge quickly emerged as one of the top outdoor recreation areas in Nevada. Today, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the park, whether you're exploring hiking trails, picnicking at historic Civilian …

Death Valley is one of the most biodiverse national parks in the United States. Covering more than three million acres – most of it designated wilderness – it’s the largest national park in the contiguous United States. Death Valley is located in Southern California on the border with Nevada, roughly three hours north of Los Angeles and two hours west of Las Vegas.Driving through Death Valley will also take you to the lowest point in the United States at 282 feet below sea level, not too far from mountains towering past 11,000 feet. Death Valley presents its visitors with fascinating geology, a hardy ecosystem of plants and wildlife, and interesting history.The park earned its name after countless …

Located on the western side of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, Grand Canyon Parashant National Monument is one of the more recently established national monuments. It was officially created in 2000 by President Clinton to grant the rugged region some protection from commercial mining operations. Grand Canyon Parashant National Monument is managed by both the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Park Services (NPS).Parashant is an Anglicization of a Paiute Native American word that roughly translates to “tanned elk hide.’ The Paiute is one of a dozen Native American tribes that lived and hunted in the region for centuries. There is evidence of settlements that are a few thousand years old.The closest town is St. George, UT …

In the late 1960s, the state of Utah realized a need to create irrigation and flood control for the towns downriver - St. George, in particular - and set about to create a reservoir. Upon completion of the dam, the state officially established Gunlock State Park, which borders the reservoir, to foster recreational fun in the area. Gunlock State Park and the nearby town, Gunlock, take their name from the first settler in the area, William “Gunlock Will” Hamblin, who arrived in 1857. In addition to being skilled at repairing gunlocks (muzzleloaders’ firing mechanism), Gunlock Will was a renowned sharpshooter.Also of minor interest is the main access road to Gunlock State Park, which was originally used by raiders who …

Postcard-perfect Lake Havasu State Park lures outdoor lovers with sandy beaches, scenic nature trails, and a bevy of water sports. The lake was formed after the construction of the Parker Dam in 1938 and quickly emerged as one of the top recreation areas in Arizona. Spend the day basking on the sandy beach, cooling off in the crystalline water, and enjoying the desert landscape. London Bridge, a larger-than-life antique imported from the English capital, brings a dash of British charm to the park.Planning a getaway to western Arizona? Book an RV in Mohave County and you can discover Lake Havasu State Park, as well as other nearby parks such as Buckskin Mountain and Cattail Cove. You'll also find championship …

Lake Mead National Recreation Area lies on the border between the states of Arizona and Nevada, a few miles from the cities of Las Vegas, NV, St George, UT, and Kingman, AZ. This borderland recreational area lies on the shores of one of the largest man-made lakes in all of the country. Becoming one of the first designated recreational areas in the states in 1936, Lake Mead National Recreation Area has a long history of lakeside recreation.Many campers venture from the big cites seeking the cooling waters for boating, and fishing, and the majestic red hills for hiking. The endless opportunities for outdoor adventure make Lake Mead National Recreation Area the perfect place to take an …

Mojave National Preserve offers pristine and untouched desert beauty. Don’t let the arid environment fool you — the park is home to flourishing wildlife, like mice, roadrunners, snakes, hawks, and lizards, to name a few, alongside a wide variety of flora.Epic desert cliffs and rock formations comprised of red rock add bright pops of color into an otherwise monochromatic expanse. These colorful formations served as important markers for team freight wagons around 1870. In fact, the area is rich in history, with a number of protected paleontology sites, including petroglyphs in the El Paso Mountains made by the Kawaiisu peoples. The sites also protect the remains of an abandoned 1850s mine.The dry and peaceful winters bring dormancy to …

About nine miles west of Hurricane and 15 miles north of St. George lies the gorgeous Quail Creek State Park. With its unusually mild weather and warm water, Quail Creek provides an excellent Southwestern getaway for outdoor adventurers seeking an amazing RV camping excursion in all seasons.The park itself is named after the Quail Creek Reservoir, which serves as the main water supply for the greater St. George area. Quail Creek State Park is home to coyotes and roadrunners as well as kit foxes, desert tarantulas, raccoons, and rabbits. Keen birdwatchers will be delighted at the chance to spot bald eagles, hawks, great-horned owls, quails, and so many more species.Quail Creek is one of the most popular and …

Located in Southern Nevada, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area was established in 1967, making it one of the oldest National Conservation Area in the state. Located in the Mojave Desert, the area derives its name from the huge jaw-dropping red sandstones that dot its landscape. Las Vegas and Henderson are the nearest towns. With over two million visitors a year, this is one of the most popular natural sites in Nevada. Keystone, also known as Thrust Wilson Cliffs and the 13-mile scenic drive, is the prime attraction in this 195,000-acre conservation area.Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is not just a great place to enjoy the views, but it is also a recreational paradise for the great outdoor …

One of the biggest draws to Sand Hollow State Park is the Sand Hollow Reservoir, where visitors can enjoy boating, swimming, and fishing. Another draw to Hurricane, Utah and Sand Hollow State Park are the massive dunes of Sand Mountain that sprawl across the horizon. Many of the park’s 20,000 acres encompass land patrolled and maintained by USDI Bureau of Land Management, but RV camping at Sand Hollow State Park is allowed.Book an RV in Washington County and plan a weekend getaway, or spend a few weeks exploring and staying at Sand Hollow State Park. While visiting the park, take some time to stop in and see the sights in St. George, only a 25-minute drive to the …

Don’t be too focused on Zion National Park when you book an RV in Washington County, Utah. There’s a state park nearby that’s not nearly as crowded, yet everyone who visits wonders why it’s not a national park. Snow Canyon State Park is one hour west of Zion, in St. George, and covers 7,400 acres of spectacular scenery. You can see sandstone cliffs, lava tubes, and petrified sand dunes, all while keeping an eye out for the endangered desert tortoise, canyon tree frogs, and peregrine falcons.Despite its name, Snow Canyon State Park rarely sees any snow. It was named after two distantly related men with the last name of Snow, early pioneers and leaders in the Utah …

Spring Mountain Ranch State Park is located near Blue Diamond, NV, which is in the far southern portion of the state. The state park sits just on the outskirts of the large city of Las Vegas. Spring Mountain Ranch State Park is situated only about 60 miles from the international border with Mexico and is about equidistant from the border with California, its neighbor to the west.In this region, you will find rocky, rugged land, comprised of dusty, scrub brush-covered hills. Though it is located near a large city, Spring Mountain Ranch State Park is situated in a rural part of the desert that is dotted by cactus. The park grounds were once a working ranch that have since …

Toiyabe National Forest covers 3,171,705 acres near Reno, NV. The word “Toiyabe” means a mountain in the Shoshone language. It was designated as a national forest in 1907. Also known as Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest, this forest is spread over several counties in Nevada and California, is one of the largest forests in the United States, and encompasses 24 wilderness areas. The most notable natural attractions within the forest include caves, lakes, creeks, and canyons.Spanning 6,306,777 acres of land near Reno, Toiyabe National Forest is jam-packed with outdoor recreation and wonderful scenery. Over five million six hundred acres are spread in Nevada, while 649,083 acres are in Eastern California. As you would expect, such a vast forest touches several …

With its striking vistas, vibrant red and pink rock outcrops, and excellent hiking trails, Valley of Fire State Park is Nevada's oldest state park. And although it's found less than an hour's drive northeast of the Las Vegas Strip, only a small proportion of Vegas visitors make the journey out to this astonishing park.That's their loss, however, as the Valley of Fire offers some truly spectacular scenery and unforgettable outdoor experiences. It's also easily accessible in a rental RV, and there are two campgrounds within the park offering power and water hookups.Whether you're planning a day trip from Vegas or spending a few days or more exploring the Nevada Desert, search for an RV in Clark County and …