ADVENTURE: LAS VEGAS BEYOND THE STRIP

I love the lights and excitement just as much as the next person... that being said, I'm here to make my case on why your next trip to Las Vegas should include some hiking!

"Las Vegas seems to exist only in the eye of the beholder." — Joan Didion

I only recently made it to Las Vegas for the first time. And while I agree, the trip was long overdue, it wasn't for the reasons you might expect. In between walking the strip and tickets to Celine Dion's concert at Caesar's Palace, I took some time to explore some of the natural beauty surrounding the city. Here's why Valley of Fire State Park and Red Rock Canyon should be on your next Vegas itinerary:

Valley of Fire State Park

Time: Approx. 1 hour from Las Vegas

Distinguished by its bright red Aztec sandstone, Valley of Fire State Park is packed with ancient petrified trees and petroglyphs dating back more than 2,000 years. A Visitor Center provides comprehensive exhibits on the park and region. The park itself has numerous campsites in addition to the many intriguing trails for hikers.

What make this state park the perfect addition to a weekend in Vegas is the accessibility of it. There's something for most, from the pensive observer to the seasoned hiker. The park is accessible by a paved road that weaves throughout — ensuring that visitors can soak up the pink, red and orange sandstone color palette from the comfort of your car and decide where you want to stop to explore more.

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Time: Approx. 30 mins. from Las Vegas

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is a sweeping 195,819 acres within the Mojave Desert. Similar to Valley of Fire, Red Rock Canyon contains a 13 mile scenic drive through the conservation area that provides the perfect overview for visitors to experience the many aspects of the canyon from a vehicle or bicycle, while choosing where they wish to stop and explore more. There's miles of hiking trails for all skill levels, plus rock climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking, picnic areas, nature observing and visitor center with indoor and outdoor exhibits.

What I appreciated about both Valley of Fire and Red Rock Canyon was the accessibility of it all. Depending on how you're feeling that day there's plenty of opportunities to take in the scenery at your desired level of intensity. Hop out and snap a pic or go on a longer walk — you can't go wrong with these stunning landscapes and layering hues.