What makes a great kids hotel in Las Vegas? You could ask my kids! When we go to Vegas, they want to see fun activities customized for kids, restaurants that cater to picky eaters, and did I mention the pool? Kids absolutely want an excellent pool situation—and I’m happy to report these 5 best hotels for kids in Vegas deliver!

These are a few of our top recommendations for family-friendly casinos in Las Vegas to book on your next trip. Plus, I’m sharing the best free kid-friendly casino attractions, no matter where you stay!

The most kid-friendly casinos in Las Vegas

You might be surprised at the wonderful hotels for kids in Las Vegas. Here, I’m sharing the hotel-casinos with the best family amenities and attractions.

The best hotels for kids in Vegas are:

1. Mandalay Bay
2. Circus Circus
3. The Bellagio
4. Excalibur
5. New York-New York

Read on to find out why these are the best Las Vegas hotels for families on The Strip. But don’t stop there! Keep going to read about free family activities in Las Vegas casinos you’ll want to check out, no matter where you stay!

Mandalay Bay

A hotel in the desert—with a beach? Sign me up right now.

That’s what I thought about Mandalay Bay, one of the most family-friendly casinos in Las Vegas.

Most hotel-casinos in Vegas have pools, but Mandalay Bay’s has a sandy bottom. And a water park. Good luck getting your kids to do any of the other family activities in Las Vegas because they won’t want to leave the pool.

Features of this kid-friendly casino:

• Epic pool, lazy river and water park! (Some pools have a real sand bottom so you feel like you’re on the beach.)
• Aquarium inside the hotel
• Close to McCarran Airport and walkable to the Welcome to Las Vegas sign
• Kid-friendly restaurants, including House of Blues and Citizens Kitchen

Book your stay at Mandalay Bay

Circus Circus

Fun fact: I stayed at Circus Circus my first-ever time in Vegas, when I was about 10. My family and I still laugh over those memories! We had an amazing time back then—and Circus Circus continues to be a kid-friendly hotel and casino in Las Vegas.

Yes, it’s a casino, and yes it’s a hotel, but it’s also a theme park, carnival and water park—all rolled into one.

Features of this kid-friendly casino:

• Kid-friendly pool, water park and water slides!
• Circus and arcade games
• The Adventuredome is like a theme park, right inside this family-friendly Las Vegas hotel. You can go on indoor carnival rides and everything!
• Miniature golf
• Free clown shows, circus acts and entertainment

Book your stay at Circus Circus

The Bellagio

If your family likes luxury, without the $$$ price tags, the Bellagio is the best hotel for kids in Vegas for you. Room rates are comparable to other Las Vegas hotel-casinos, with an extra dose of fancy.

The deluxe casino remains kid-friendly, while leaving lots for the grown-ups to enjoy. Rooms give the whole fam space to spread out. Pools are big enough for kids to splash around, with poolside service for adults to order drinks with little umbrellas in them. (I’ll take 2, pls.)

And its central location makes the Bellagio a great home base to explore Las Vegas.

Features of this kid-friendly casino:

• Epic 8-acre fountain with light show
• Family-friendly suites
• Central location on the Strip, easy walking distance to many of the best Vegas attractions
• Hotel shuttle
• Kid-friendly breakfast included
• Family-friendly arcade

Book your stay at The Bellagio

Excalibur

“Huzzah!” That’s what your family—and the knights—will say of this medieval-themed hotel and casino. You can get as into character as you like. I definitely won’t judge if you waltz around Vegas like the queen you are.

The Excalibur reminds me of a Playmobil setup during the day, but its charm doesn’t stop there. Make sure you step outside Excalibur at night. Your kids will love seeing it lit up. It looks truly magical!

Features of this kid-friendly casino:

• Treasure hunts in the hotel
• Arcade with games
• Live show: the Tournament of Kings is an interactive event where you cheer for your knight to win the tournament.

Book your stay at Excalibur, Las Vegas

New York-New York

Question: Why would you go all the way to Las Vegas to visit… New York? Answer: Because it’s one of the most fun, family-friendly hotels in Vegas!

Its theme is over the top, literally. A roller coaster actually takes you above and around this smaller-sized NYC skyline.

Before you think the New York-New York hotel in Vegas is simply too odd, let go and embrace its quirks. I mean, you’re in Vegas. You don’t bat an eye about being “transported” to Italy, France or Egypt, do you? Your kids will get a kick out of gazing up at the Empire State Building and Lady Liberty.

Features of this family-friendly casino:

• Outdoor roller coaster (timed entry tickets)
• Kid-friendly arcade and games
• Hershey’s Chocolate World—yum!
• Dog-friendly rooms if you’re traveling with pups

Book your stay at New York-New York hotel in Las Vegas

Now that you’ve read all about the best hotels for kids in Vegas, it’s time to talk about the other family-friendly casinos on The Strip.

Free family-friendly casino attractions

No matter which family-friendly hotel in Las Vegas you choose, you can enjoy these casino attractions.

My kids and I like to walk from casino to casino, checking out the kid-friendly things to do in each.

I recommend doing a few at a time, rather than attempting a casino adventure marathon. The Strip is deceptively long, and it takes a lot of walking between attractions. My kids’ legs get tired out!

(Remember, you can also take the Las Vegas monorail. My kids love it!)

Check out my post on Kid-Friendly Things to do in Las Vegas for even more ideas, and download my family-friendly Las Vegas map as your guide:

Now, let’s get to all the fun and free kid-friendly casino attractions!

Bellagio Botanical Garden

Whether or not you stay at the Bellagio, you should definitely check out the casino’s Botanical Garden.

This fanciful attraction changes themes regularly. That means even if you visited the last time you were in Vegas, you’ll want to go again.

Artists and designers go completely overboard creating whimsical displays. They feature flowers and plants, of course—this is a garden after all. But that’s not all.

You may see animatronics, performers or animals when you visit. No matter the theme, you and your kids will love exploring the Bellagio Botanical Garden.

Flamingos at the Flamingo

Are there flamingos in Las Vegas? Yes! Though they’re not native, and you won’t find any in the wild, you can see flamingos at the Flamingo casino and hotel.

This free thing to do in Las Vegas with kids is open every day from 7am-8pm. You can also spot other birds (such as pelicans and hummingbirds) as well as fish and turtles.

My kids love animals, so of course we had to see the flamingos in Las Vegas. Naturally, the flamingos live at the Flamingo casino and hotel. (It’s the oldest casino on The Strip.)

The flamingos are out even when it’s cold. (Yes, it gets cold in Vegas.) Stop by and say hi!

Chariots Fountain at the Caesar

Maybe it’s all the mythology books Maxine reads, but my kids are totally into the Chariots Fountain at the Caesar hotel-casino.

This part of the Strip is designed like ancient Roman architecture. Expect a lot of columns, white stone, and of course fantastical creatures straight out of myth.

Maxine and Edie are both convinced that flying horses and mermaids are real. (“Why else would there be so many stories about them?” #KidLogic) They took the statues at the Chariots Fountain as further proof.

Bonus: The Fountain on the Strip is a great place to pause and have a snack. If your kids’ feet are tired from walking, take a seat next to the fountain. It’s also a great spot for people watching!

Chihuly Glass at the Bellagio

Artist Dale Chihuly creates fantastical, colorful sculptures of glass. You can see one of his more famous installations in the lobby of the Bellagio.

Roughly 2,000 glass blossoms hang from the ceiling in the Bellagio lobby. The piece, which weighs more than 40,000 pounds, is called Fiori di Como. (“Fiori” means flower in Italian.) You and your family might imagine what else the blooms look like. They remind me of jellyfish!

Whatever you think they look like, visiting this famous Chihuly glass sculpture in the Bellagio is one of the best kid-friendly casino activities in Las Vegas.

The Chandelier in the Cosmopolitan Casino

If you’re looking for glitz and glamour, you want the Chandelier in the Cosmopolitan. This Las Vegas attraction is at the center of the Cosmopolitan casino and hotel.

Layers of shimmering crystals hang in a multi-story installation. Soft purple light illuminates the Chandelier, casting sparkles everywhere.

The inside of the Chandelier is a series of bars—not exactly kid-friendly. But you and your family can check out this impressive thing to see from balconies that ring the Chandelier.

While this beautiful attraction isn’t necessarily worth its own stand-alone trip, it’s absolutely worth a detour if you’re in the Cosmopolitan! (Especially if you’re going ice skating. More on that below!)

Ice Skating in Las Vegas

Ice skating—in Las Vegas?! Yes!

While you probably think of the hot desert and Sin City, you can actually go ice skating here in the winter—in true over-the-top Las Vegas style.

(This family-friendly casino attraction isn’t free but I wanted to include it anyway because it’s awesome!)

For the winter season, the Cosmopolitan converts its rooftop pool to an ice skating rink. You don’t have to stay in the hotel to enjoy this kid-friendly thing to do in Las Vegas. Just buy your tickets ahead of time (it gets busy!) and lace up your skate rentals!

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We went ice skating in Las Vegas on our most recent trip. We went at night to best see the lights of the Strip. It’s so cool to skate all aglow from the neon lights of the Strip!

You can also buy cocktails and snacks. Fire pits, which you can rent and use to toast marshmallows, ring the ice skating rink, too.

Which of these Las Vegas casinos and hotels would you choose for your family vacation? Did I miss any? Let me know in the comments!

PS – If you’re looking for more fun Vegas activities, check out these posts:

14 Unique Things to do in Las Vegas

Valley of Fire: Epic Hikes 1 Hour from the Strip

Kraft Mountain and Boulders: Easy Hikes 30 Minutes from Vegas

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Just a half-hour drive from the Strip, this easy hike is 100% doable in a half-day. So if you want to spend part of the day at the pool or exploring the kid-friendly casino attractions, you still have plenty of time to hike the Kraft Boulders and Kraft Mountain Loop.

You’ll want to visit this spot even more if you’re into rock climbing. It’s a popular bouldering location in Las Vegas. You’ll see many people hiking in with crash pads—the portable pad rock climbers place under themselves while bouldering.

Read on for great hiking near Las Vegas at the Kraft Boulders and Kraft Mountain!

Kraft Boulders Hike

One day on our most recent Las Vegas trip, Edie had a cold and was not feeling hiking. In fact, she wasn’t feeling anything but sick. But we basically forced her to come on the Kraft Boulders hike—and we’re all glad for it!

Edie perked up immediately. She and Maxine are pretty much obsessed with climbing anything and everything, so the Kraft Boulders were right up their alley.

From the parking lot, start out along the trail, marked by a black metal National Conservation Lands sign. Walk about a quarter-mile to reach the base of Kraft Mountain.

Here, huge hunks of rock fell from the mountain over the ages. Rocks create a jumble of climbing opportunities. Maxine and Edie wasted no time in scaling boulders and trekking up the mountain.

The hike to the Kraft Boulders can be as long or as short as you want. You can continue down the trail, adjacent to Kraft Mountain, to boulders farther along. Or you can pause and explore around the first, enormous boulder you’ll see: a red hunk of mountain several stories high.

As you hike, keep an eye out for horseback riders. One incredibly friendly rider stopped near us so Maxine and Edie could pet his horse. That was the cherry on top of our beautiful Kraft Boulders hike!

Kraft Mountain Loop

For a longer hike near Las Vegas, continue along the Kraft Mountain Loop. This 3.5 mile hike is on the harder side of moderate and takes you all around the pink mountain. The hike gains just over 600 feet in elevation altogether.

The hike includes several scrambles and a few steep sections. If you complete the loop, you’ll be rewarded with impressive views—including toward the nearby Red Rock Canyon.

Know that the Kraft Mountain Loop trail is not well marked. It can be even more confusing to do this hike because there are several options for routes. I recommend downloading a detailed map onto your phone, or printing one, because cell service is unreliable here.

Bouldering near Las Vegas

Whether you’re a pro or you’re wanting to learn bouldering near Las Vegas, the Kraft Boulders are a great destination.

With so many boulders and rock formations, you’ll always be able to find an open rock or route. The problems (climbing routes) range from beginner to advanced. Bouldering is a great way to begin rock climbing because you don’t need as much gear. Just remember to always climb with a spotter and a crash pad below!

Bouldering etiquette applies at the Kraft Boulders, of course. Don’t cut in, interfere with or distract other climbers. And as always, respect the outdoors: Pack out everything, as there is no trash service in this Las Vegas bouldering site.

Other hiking near Las Vegas

If you’re into the outdoors, you should definitely go hiking near Las Vegas. The desert landscape is gorgeous in a way that’s completely different than our home base in the Pacific Northwest.

Hiking near Las Vegas is also an excellent alternative to the more typical Sin City activities (cough, cough). Hitting the trails is also a super kid-friendly activity, especially considering that casinos aren’t exactly kid central.

Want more trails after you hit up the Kraft Boulders and Kraft Mountain Loop? Check out these nearby hikes.

Red Rock Canyon

Mere minutes from the Kraft Boulders, the Red Rock Canyon scenic route loops through epic landscapes. Wonderful hikes branch off from the scenic road. The only bad thing is that you’ll have to choose where to stop and hike: You won’t be able to trek all of them in a day.

My entire family loved Red Rock Canyon. It’s amazing how much the scenery changes in just a few miles. Look one direction to see bright red rocks and another for white cliffs sprinkled with snow.

I recommend either Calico I or Calico II as some of the most iconic Red Rock Canyon trails.

Valley of Fire

My other favorite hiking near Las Vegas is in Valley of Fire State Park. Just an hour drive from the city, you’ll feel like you’re a million miles away. The stark landscape is crisscrossed with unforgettable hiking trails.

The Fire Wave Trail is #1 among our favorite Valley of Fire hikes. Most of the trails here are short and easy enough for kids and hikers without much experience. The incredible rock formations are unforgettable.

See my detailed post on Valley of Fire for more recommendations!

Directions from Las Vegas to Kraft Boulders

Here’s how to get from Las Vegas to the Kraft Boulders and Kraft Mountain Loop.

Drive west on US-95 N.

Take exit 81A onto Summerlin Parkway.

For 5.5 miles, continue along Summerlin Parkway / NV-613.

Take the 215-S exit onto the Bruce Woodbury Beltway.

Take exit 26 onto Charleston Blvd / NV-159.

Follow Charleston Blvd / NV-159 for 3.7 miles. Take a right on Calico Basin Blvd. (Calico Basin Blvd is the road after the turnoff for Red Rock Canyon Campground. If you see the entrance to Red Rock Canyon, you’ve gone too far.)

In this residential area, continue along Calico Basin Blvd. until it takes a sharp right at the Calico Basin Trailhead. Take a right here onto Calico Drive, then an immediate left to Sandstone Drive. Continue until the end of Sandstone. On the left, use the parking lot for the Kraft Boulders.

If the parking lot is full, you can park along the street—just pay attention to areas where this is allowed and where it is not.

Are you ready to check out this easy hiking trail near Las Vegas? Such a family-friendly trail is a great break from the lights and sights of Las Vegas. Pin this for later so you remember to check out the Kraft Boulders and Kraft Mountain Loop!

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Although the city’s reputation as Sin City might make you raise an eyebrow at me, taking kids to Las Vegas is actually a great idea. Here’s why.

1. Las Vegas is a budget-friendly destination. It is typically inexpensive to fly to Las Vegas. We flew there as a family of 4 for less than $500.
2. Las Vegas has great weather in the winter. We fly to Vegas when it’s cold, rainy and grey in our home base of Oregon. The vitamin D is 100% worth the trip.
3. There are so many awesome things for kids to do in Las Vegas!

In this post, I’m highlighting the family-friendly activities and attractions in Las Vegas that make my kids love visiting. (Nevermind that my kids pronounce the city as “Lost Vegas.”)

Read on for my recommendations for Las Vegas kids activities, including museums, hikes, kid-friendly casino attractions, parks and street art destinations!

This post may contain affiliate links. When you use the links to buy something at no extra charge to you, you support this mama-owned business. Thank you!

Map of things for kids to do in Las Vegas

I get it: When you’re planning a family trip in an unfamiliar place, a list of kid activities is helpful. But you know what’s better? A map!

That’s why I made this map of things for kids to do in Las Vegas.

At a glance, you can see where everything is. You can open up the map and pin the kid friendly hotel in Vegas where you’re staying. Then easily see where you are in relation to these fun things to do with kids.

You can even download the map onto your phone so you can reference it anytime.

1. Springs Preserve

When I planned our first family trip to Las Vegas, I was surprised to find a nature preserve in the city. Isn’t Las Vegas in the middle of a desert?

Yes, of course, and Springs Preserve protects a portion of that desert—and much more.

As I learned, the 180-acre Springs Preserve is like a combination nature park / playground / natural history museum / hands-on museum. And admission gets you into everything.

My kids loved seeing desert animals such as snakes and scorpions—all in cages, don’t worry!—in the animal area of the museum. We walked along winding paths that took us through various desert habitats and past dry weather-loving plants.

That said, we all agreed that the butterfly house was by far the best part!

The enclosed butterfly habitat is open seasonally, in spring and fall. The winter weather is too cold for butterflies and summer temperatures too hot. We were lucky enough to visit Springs Preserve, Las Vegas on the last day the butterfly habitat was open!

Pro tip: Consider buying a membership to Springs Preserve, like we did, even if you don’t live in Las Vegas. That’s because membership here gets you benefits to more than 300 reciprocating organizations all across the country!

2. Walk the Strip

Las Vegas’s most famous landmark is the Strip, and for good reason. It is the perfect example of what makes Vegas the over-the-top city it is: lights, lights, and more lights!

(Oh, and people. Lots of people, too.)

Especially if it’s your first time checking out Las Vegas kids activities, put walking the Strip onto your things to do list. Your kids will be blown away by the sights and sounds.

Pro tip: If your kids have special sensory needs, plan ahead. They may want to wear noise-canceling headphones or skip this family activity in Las Vegas altogether.

As you walk, pause to take in the cool sights and attractions of each casino. We particularly like the Greek sculptures and fountain outside Caesar’s Palace and of course the Bellagio fountain.

Pro tip: Carry cash! I rarely pay with anything besides a card so had to borrow a few bucks from my mother-in-law to pay the performers who walk around the Strip and take photos with tourists. Thanks Mom!

3. Valley of Fire State Park

One of my all-time favorite things to do in Las Vegas with kids: Leave the city behind and explore Valley of Fire State Park!

This state park is home to the best family-friendly hikes near Las Vegas. The park lies just an hour east of the Strip, making it an easy day trip as long as you’ve rented a car (or driven your own).

Valley of Fire is also full of kid-friendly hikes. The trails don’t gain a lot of elevation, most are less than 3 miles long and they have incredible payoffs, such as the famous Fire Wall.

Within Valley of Fire State Park, you can also see petroglyphs left behind from thousands of years ago. Kids (and their grownups!) are also welcome to climb the enormous red boulders and stone formations. Beehives, directly next to the park’s west entrance, provides the best place for kids to practice their lemur skills.

Read my full post on Valley of Fire State Park for all the details.

4. Seven Magic Mountains

If you’re looking for giant, rainbow-hued installation art, Seven Magic Mountains is just for you. This permanent art piece is made up of brightly colored rocks stacked on top of each other. They make a surreal sight in the middle of the stark Mojave Desert.

You won’t need a whole lot of time at Seven Magic Mountains. Kids are welcome to run around, and you’ll definitely want to take photos.

Seven Magic Mountains are about a half-hour’s drive south of the Strip. They are on your way if you’re driving from California via Bakersfield or LA.

5. Explore inside the Casinos—it’s possible with kids!

If you’re going to Las Vegas with kids, you may be confused about the rules around children in casinos. Here’s the deal: Children cannot stop in casinos anywhere near gambling. So if you’re walking through a casino and want to drop a few bucks in a slot machine, no-can-do if you’re with anyone younger than 18.

That said, you can walk through casinos as a family! In fact, many of the casinos have sections that welcome children.

Keep in mind that people still smoke in casinos in Las Vegas. We limited the amount of time we spent in casinos at one time. Many areas that are focused on family friendly activities, such as the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, aren’t filled with smoke. You have to walk past the cigarette-heavy slot machines to get there, though.

The extravagance of casinos is next-level—and definitely worth a place on your list of things to do in Las Vegas with kids.

6. Fremont Street, Las Vegas

Casinos can be a lot for anyone—including kids. The lights, the crowds, the noise, the smoke… it can be overwhelming!

If you want to give your kids a smaller scale experience of casinos, try the Fremont Street area.

About a 10-minute drive from the strip, you’ll find casinos, shops, restaurants and more. An open-air plaza that spans several blocks connects the buildings so you can walk easily between attractions.

Basically, Fremont Street is a slightly scaled down version of the strip. You can walk two blocks to get a sense of it—then wrap it up.

7. Las Vegas Street Art

My family and I seek out street art wherever we go, and Las Vegas is no exception. We loved finding Las Vegas street art, making this one of the best kid-friendly activities we did in Vegas!

The Las Vegas Arts Distric is an excellent place to begin. Look for murals all along Main St: There’s hardly a building that doesn’t have art on its walls.

You can also find epic murals near the Art Hotel. You probably won’t be able to get inside this hotel, which has become the canvas for hundreds of artists, but you can explore the blocks around it. In fact, you can even book a Las Vegas Flytographer photo shoot like we did! The murals make for incredible backdrops. I’m still absolutely in love with our photos. (I paid in full for our shoot; we didn’t receive any discounts. I just genuinely loved our experience.)

8. Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art: Free museum in Vegas

If you and your kids want to see a different kind of art, check out the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art. On the UNLV campus, this free museum in Las Vegas is small enough to see in one doable visit, and robust enough for the visit to be well worth the trip.

I love the museum’s dedication to making the experience of art more diverse and more welcoming to all people. Its collections focus on perspectives too often marginalized by art institutions, especially the voices of people of color and artists who are LGBTQIA+.

In addition, the art museum is open to all—regardless of how much money you have in your pocket. Admission is free, and the suggested donation for adults is $5—and totally optional.

If you need a break from the glitz of Las Vegas, take a breather in the free art museum on the UNLV campus.

9. Discovery Children’s Museum, Las Vegas

Maxine and Edie are obsessed with hands-on science museums. The Discovery Children’s Museum in Las Vegas didn’t disappoint!

Like many other children’s museums, this Las Vegas kids museum is full of different areas and rooms focused on science, art and other themes. My kids adored the maker’s area, where they nailed and hot glued inventions and artwork.

Kids can also climb several stories up in a multi-tiered structure. Tunnels, ladders, steps and even hollow tubes where you can make music: You’ll find it all in the Discovery Children’s Museum central structure.

Don’t miss the water area, too! The Las Vegas kids museum provides ponchos so your kids don’t get drenched playing and splashing here.

10. Las Vegas Natural History Museum

Another destination to add to your list of things for kids to do in Las Vegas: the Las Vegas Natural History Museum.

From prehistoric fossils to live sharks, the natural history museum has it all. Kids will particularly love the dinosaur exhibits (models look incredibly realistic), the dioramas with lifesize animals and the Egyptian exhibit. The museum recently added this awesome model of a dilophasaurus, based on the largest specimen of the species!

When researchers aren’t in the field, they may be working in the museum. The Ditton Learning Lab is usually open to the public on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

A hands-on section of the museum, called the Cox Charities Young Scientist Center, encourages littles to experiment with fossil excavation, microscopes and more.

Pro tip: The Las Vegas Natural History Museum has free parking!

11. Welcome to Las Vegas Sign

Admittedly, the Welcome to Las Vegas sign is a semi-obligatory tourist trap. You may find yourself waiting a long time for your chance to take a photo in front of the iconic sign. So if that’s not your thing, feel free to skip this family friendly activity in Las Vegas!

That said, if you visit during off-peak times of year—like in the winter, when we visited—you may find the lines are minimal. I went one morning in November and waited maybe 10 minutes. Not bad!

You can also try to visit the Welcome to Las Vegas thing first thing in the morning. If your kids are early risers, hit it up before all the revelers have dragged themselves out of bed!

Pro tip: If you want a Las Vegas sign photo op but don’t want to deal with crowds, check out the Downtown Las Vegas Gateway. You’ll see a big Las Vegas sign, light-up showgirl signs and enormous dice. Find this Las Vegas landmark at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Main Street, at 1810 Las Vegas Boulevard.

You can also find a great Las Vegas mural in the Arts District. Find this mural off of Main Street!

12. Container Park, Las Vegas

If you’re looking to venture off the beaten path in Las Vegas, check out Container Park. This is a community-centric area where you can shop, grab a bite to eat and—have I mentioned?—let your kids run wild in an awesome playground.

The Container Park playground looks like a treehouse and industrial shipping container had a baby—then added a bunch of winding slides for good measure. It’s awesome.

We also like Container Park’s enormous metal praying mantis. It’s not that often you get to see a bug the size of a house!

The praying mantis lights up at night, too!

13. Red Rock Canyon

Las Vegas is known for its neon lights, but just outside the city, you’ll be blown away by another color: red. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is just a half-hour drive off the Strip and 100% worth a visit.

A scenic drive winds through Red Rock Canyon passes deep red cliffs, umber rocks and white-and-pink-striped canyons. My goodness it’s gorgeous.

You can find lots of kid-friendly hikes in Red Rock Canyon, including the children’s discovery trail that takes you to a small petroglyph. Make sure you stop at the visitors center at the entrance to pick up a Junior Ranger booklet, stamp your national parks book and get a Junior Ranger badge!

14. Kraft Boulders hike

Just a few minutes down the road from Red Rock, you’ll find an easy and family friendly hike. A mostly flat trail leads to the Kraft Boulders, hunks of Kraft Mountain that have tumbled down and made excellent bouldering sites for rock climbers.

(Maxine and Edie haven’t been trained as rock climbers, but it clearly comes naturally to them.)

Hiking to the Kraft Boulders is a great outdoor thing to do with kids in Vegas. What’s more, it’s the perfect antidote to neon overwhelm. Hike as far as you and your family likes, and let your kids embrace their inner mountain goat.

See my full post on hiking at the Kraft Boulders for all the details.

Is Las Vegas worth it for families?

Yes. I’m going to be straight-up here and say I don’t love Las Vegas as a city overall. I don’t drink much, gambling gives me the hives and whenever I stay up past 9:30 pm I marvel that I made it past my bedtime.

But Las Vegas is totally worth it for families.

I say that for a few reasons. Firstly, getting to and staying in Las Vegas is cheap, at least from where we live in Portland, Oregon. Las Vegas is consistently the cheapest place to fly from PDX. Both times we’ve flown to Las Vegas as a family, I got tickets for around $125 round-trip. Hotels are also less expensive than other parts of the country. You may even be able to get a suite or adjoining rooms for a similar price as a single, standard room elsewhere.

Secondly, this is a great destination because of alllllll the fun things for kids to do in Las Vegas. There are seriously so many great family-friendly activities and attractions.

I know the sign says, “Welcome to Las Vegas,” but I like to think it says, “Come back soon.” With so many family friendly things to do in Las Vegas, there’s a good chance we will!

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Las Vegas isn’t typically known for its outdoor adventures, and that’s too bad. Because just outside the city, you can find epic landscapes.

You’ll feel like you’ve been transported to another planet when you’re surrounded by vibrant rocks and jagged cliffs. Thankfully, you won’t need intergalactic transport; you just need a rental car to visit Valley of Fire State Park.

Drive just an hour from the center of Las Vegas to these Valley of Fire hikes. You won’t regret it for a second.

Valley of Fire State Park

Valley of Fire State Park is one of the most beautiful destinations near Las Vegas, Nevada, you can hope to see. This park covers a stark area of the Mojave Desert. Its distinctive red, pink and striped rocks will take your breath away.

This Las Vegas state park isn’t actually in Las Vegas but is close enough for an easy day trip from the Strip. I think of it as the perfect antidote to the excesses of Las Vegas.

With the many Valley of Fire hikes, petroglyphs, rock formations and many other things to do, it’s like a breath of fresh air—literally.

Valley of Fire Hikes

There’s a lot to love about Valley of Fire State Park. First is its beauty. Second is the ease of getting to Valley of Fire from Las Vegas. (Yay convenience!) The third is that the park is full of hikes suitable for most visitors.

You see, many famous parks are crisscrossed by trails that are extremely challenging. That means that you have to dedicate hours (plus a lot of sweat and effort) to reach the most memorable areas. That’s not really feasible for a lot of visitors—especially kids.

Valley of Fire hikes, on the other hand, are mostly easy to moderate. You won’t be climbing a ton of elevation, and several are under 2 miles. (That’s a great length for my kids!)

Want to plan some breathtaking Valley of Fire hiking? Read on for descriptions of the best trails in this Nevada state park—and the best Las Vegas hikes you’ll find.

Fire Wave Trail

The Fire Wave trail is one of the most iconic Valley of Fire hikes. Don’t miss this trail!

You’ll hike over stone as well as a sandy trail. Along the route, see brilliant orange, red and striped sandstone. Follow yellow markers (and the rest of the hikers) to reach the famous Fire Wave.

Here are the must-know details for the Fire Wave Trail, impressive Valley of Fire hiking:

• 1.5 miles out and back
• Some elevation
• Easy to moderate trail
• Kid-friendly for children who have some stamina
• Sun exposure: Avoid hiking at midday

Rocks here are layered with iron and manganese, which account for the different colors of stripes. Wind, water and erosion create otherworldly shapes in the sandstone. The swirls look a bit like a chocolate-vanilla ice cream cone, twisted together. (The hot environment makes me want soft serve, I guess!)

The beginning of the trail is the most sandy section. Footing gets easier as you progress. You’ll need to walk over uneven stone, though, as you’re hiking over rock rather than a manicured trail.

After that, look for posts with a yellow flash on them to mark the trail. You can roam over the red stone and climb boulders, like my kids loved to do.

The Fire Wave is unmistakable. This incredible rock formation, which looks like striped taffy left to harden in a twisted mound, marks the end of the Fire Wave Trail.

Rainbow Vista Valley of Fire

To enjoy this Valley of Fire hike, park in the paved lot. Follow the well-used, sandy trail to the Fire Canyon overlook, which gives you impressive views of red sandstone rock formations. Take your time, as hiking through sand is more tiring than walking along pavement.

To reach the Rainbow Vista trail, turn off the Valley of Fire Highway onto Mouse’s Tank Road. Continue past the visitor center. Park in the lot on the right-hand (east) side of the road. There is a bathroom here; use the facilities before you hike because there is no toilet along the hike.

Here are the must-know details for the Rainbow Vista, a Valley of Fire hike:

• 1.2 miles out and back
• Flat and kid-friendly
• Sun exposure: Avoid hiking at midday

White Domes Valley of Fire Trail

To hike the White Domes Trail, turn off the Valley of Fire Highway onto Mouse’s Tank Road. Continue past the visitor center. Drive all the way to the end of White Domes Road, where you’ll park in a day use lot.

Some of the trail is sandy, which requires a bit more effort to walk across. The extra work is well worth it! You’ll hike past impressive red sandstone formations, some jutting up like mini-mountains and others stretching across the landscape.

About a third of a mile into the trail, you’ll come across “ruins.” These aren’t remains of prehistoric communities; they’re leftovers from a film set!

The White Domes trail leads you through a (very short) slot canyon in Valley of Fire. The narrows here wind you through a section of the trail where you can reach out and touch both sides of the canyon.

Here are the must-know details for the White Domes Trail, a Valley of Fire hike:

• 1.1 mile loop
• Flat and kid-friendly
• Sun exposure: Avoid hiking at midday

Valley of Fire Hikes: Safety Tips

Valley of Fire hikes are generally safe: Most have little elevation gain, and most trails are well marked. That said, you should still take precautions: Always know where you’re going (download maps or check at the visitor center).

In addition, whenever you’re trekking on Valley of Fire hikes, bring more water than you think you’ll need. Standard recommendations point to drinking about a liter an hour when you’re in the desert.

The dry desert air leaches water out of your body, and hiking in the desert will work up a sweat. You might not realize how much you’re sweating, though, because it may evaporate off your skin before you realize it. So pay close attention to your thirst and err on the side of drinking more than you think you need.

Take precautions against the sun, too. Lather up frequently with a high SPF sunblock, even in the winter. (We like this SPF 50, reef-friendly, delicious-smelling sunscreen. Even the kids like it better than most!) Wear a hat that covers your face and ears. And wear UPF clothing (like this super-light zip-up jacket with UPF 50, which comes in a ton of colors).

Nevada Petroglyphs: Atlatl Rock and Petroglyph Canyon Trail

Valley of Fire petroglyphs can be found near the park’s west entrance, at Atlatl Rock. You can see these 4,000-year-old Nevada petroglyphs up-close by climbing the stairs in the site.

Experts don’t know what the petroglyphs mean, but my kids loved guessing at what the symbols could represent. The big horn sheep are pretty clear!

Unfortunately, you’ll see vandalism alongside the petroglyphs. The insensitivity and disregard of vandals blows my mind. To preserve the petroglyphs, do not touch them or the surrounding rocks, and report any vandalism you see.

Atlatl Rock and the petroglyphs are just a short distance from the Valley of Fire campgrounds. Make sure you visit this ancient art!

You can see even more petroglyphs along a short hike called Petroglyph Canyon Trail. As its name suggests, the hike takes you through towering sandstone rocks that Native Americans etched with their art. This hike is just .75 miles—an easy hike with big payoff.

Watch for blackened areas on the rocks. These weren’t burned but rather have a patina, or layer, of stone where the iron minerals oxidized. Scraping away this top black layer shows the red and orange beneath. This is how the artists left their mark, literally, on the landscape.

Petroglyph Canyon Trail also takes you to Mouse’s Tank. This is where the rocks form a natural trough that holds water—quite the feat in the Valley of Fire desert! Do not drink from it—the water is definitely not potable. Mouse’s Tank is a neat feature along this trail, though.

Elephant Rock, Valley of Fire

Near the east Valley of Fire park entrance—the opposite end from Las Vegas—you’ll find Elephant Rock. This unusual rock formation is one of the most famous features of the state park.

You can’t park alongside the road right at Elephant Rock. To get there, park in the east entrance parking lot. Then walk .2 miles to the elephant-shaped rock. You’ll walk back the same way you came, so this kid-friendly Valley of Fire hike is easy.

Beehives Rock Formations

One of the first things you’ll see in Valley of Fire State Park is the rock formations known as the Beehives. They got the name from the holes in the boulders left by erosion.

The Beehives is my kids’ favorite place within the state park. Can you guess why??

That’s right: My mountain goats kids love scampering up the red rocks (and generally giving all the adults heart attacks). The ridges in the rocks make great hand holds and ledges for climbing several stories up.

Camping in Valley of Fire

Here’s the most important piece of info you need about camping in Valley of Fire: There are no reservations for either of the two campgrounds. There are 72 first come, first served campsites between two campgrounds.

Here’s the exception: If you bike in, the park will not turn you away, even if campgrounds are full. Park rangers will accommodate bicyclists regardless!

Visitors can stay at the Atlatl Rock Campground and Arch Rock Campground. Both campgrounds are surrounded by the red rocks that make this Las Vegas state park famous.

Valley of Fire campgrounds include these amenities:

• Dump station for RVs
• Potable water
• Showers
• Flush toilets in restrooms
• Grills
• Picnic tables
• Shaded areas
• Fire rings (obey any fire bans or restrictions that are in effect)

Camping in Valley of Fire is not free. Per-night fees depend on several factors:

• $20/night per car for Nevada residents
• $25/night per car for out-of-state visitors
• $30/night per RV site with hookups for Nevada residents
• $35/night per RV site with hookups for out-of-state visitors

When to visit this Las Vegas state park

To be completely honest, anytime is good to visit Valley of Fire because it’s just so beautiful. In short, Valley of Fire is worth it!

The park’s red rocks are prettiest in the morning and late afternoon. This is the time when the light best brings out the vibrant colors of the stone and rock formations. Don’t forget your camera!!

You’ll be more comfortable—and able to enjoy the red rocks and scenery—during certain times of the year. Continue reading for more on Valley of Fire weather and how to plan your visit.

Valley of Fire Weather

Since this Las Vegas state park is located in the desert, you’re right to assume the weather is overall dry and sunny. That said, weather fluctuates in this area—especially the swing from high to low temperatures.

Pay attention to weather forecasts when you visit this impressive landmark near Las Vegas. Here are the averages for Valley of Fire weather.

Spring temperatures in Valley of Fire State Park tend to be mild. In addition, this is when desert wildflowers bloom. If you visit in the spring, watch for blooming indigo bush, desert mallow and desert marigold. It’s an amazing sight to see flowers in the dry desert!

Summer is, as you can guess, very hot. It’s not uncommon for temperatures to pass 100 degrees in the summer, so plan your visit accordingly. You should hike in the morning or late afternoon to avoid peak temperatures. The sun is also incredibly strong during these months, so wear protective clothing, a hat, and sunscreen.

Fall is another wonderful time to visit. Temperatures are comfortable, and you still have plenty of sunlight during the day. (Remember, the park closes at sunset, and if you’re caught in the park after dark you could be fined.)

We have visited Valley of Fire in the winter two times. Temperatures can fluctuate quite a bit in the winter. It’s really important to wear layers! In the morning, we all bundled up in fleeces. By our afternoon Valley of Fire hiking adventures, we were in tank tops! One good thing about Valley of Fire hiking in the winter: You don’t need to worry as much about avoiding hikes in the middle of the afternoon. With the temperatures lower, you can explore all day long, rather than skipping hikes around noon.

Your Questions: Answered

Directions: Valley of Fire from Las Vegas

One of the best parts of visiting this amazing destination is how close it is to Las Vegas! At only an hour from the Strip, Valley of Fire is one of the best day trips from Las Vegas.

If you’re renting a car, this is easy peasy. (I do not recommend paying for a Lyft or Uber to take you. Not only will that be insanely expensive, but you will also be stranded in the park with no return ride.)

Directions to Valley of Fire from Las Vegas are straightforward.

1. Travel north on I-15N / US 93N toward Salt Lake City for a half-hour
2. Take exit 75 toward Valley of Fire / Lake Mead, onto Valley of Fire Highway
3. Travel approximately 15 minutes along Valley of Fire Highway. You will arrive at the west park entrance, where you will pay entry fees.

The last step for directions to Valley of Fire: Hit the road and go! Seriously, you won’t regret it. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll look back on these photos as one of the best things to do in Las Vegas!

The post Las Vegas: Valley of Fire Hikes, Petroglyphs + More (1 hour from the Strip!) appeared first on To & Fro Fam.