Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Las Vegas, NV

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, located just a few miles west of Las Vegas, is named for the deep red 3,000-foot-high sandstone cliffs that are perched above the dusty wastelands of this part of the Mojave Desert. The view from any part of the park is breathtaking: mostly nature fills the view, but from some points you can make out the entire Las Vegas Strip in the distance! If the temperature is extremely hot, climbing/hiking/bicycling throughout the park is not recommended; instead, opt to drive around the park (expect to pay a small fee for motorized vehicles) along a 13-mile paved loop. A visitor's center provides information on area history, geology, flora and fauna (visitors may encounter burros, big horn sheep or desert tortoises). You can also pick up a map of the park with detailed hiking routes (beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels). Rangers offer guided tours at no charge -- see website for schedules. It's open daily at 6a.