Outdoors

From the azure waters and mountains of Lake Tahoe to the spectacular desert landscape of Red Rock Canyon, Nevada is a natural paradise for nature and outdoor lovers. And Choice Hotels is just minutes from Nevada's most breathtaking outdoor attractions!

Grand Canyon Tours From Las Vegas
Carved by the Colorado River for 6 billion years, the Grand Canyon is the world's largest and grandest gorge. The way in which the walls of the canyon alter colors, depending on the time of day and the location of the sun, is something that must be witnessed in person to believe. A large portion of this mile-deep, 233 mile long naturally formed wonder can be viewed within the Grand Canyon National Park. Along with being the source of mesmerizing views and great photo opportunities, the Grand Canyon is a natural treasure for exploring roads, hiking trails, braving helicopter rides, or floating the currents of the Colorado River. The canyon is a gift of timeless beauty and majesty that transcends experience and humbles us. Discover beautiful hiking trails and follow the ravens soaring above the north and south rims. Listen for the roar of the rapids and savor a sunset. There are several bus, helicopter, plane and van tours that depart from Las Vegas.

Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range - straddling Nevada's western line near Reno, Lake Tahoe is the United States' deepest and arguably most majestic lake. Impossibly beautiful, Lake Tahoe tempts the traveler with world-class skiing, spectacular beaches, lush alpine golf courses, exciting casinos, and hikes along the magnificent Tahoe Rim Trail. Enjoy a summer trip to Lake Tahoe with fishing, boating, water skiing, and picnics on the emerald lake as you embrace the breathtaking mountain horizon. Summit majestic peaks for the ultimate Lake Tahoe view, hit the links at 11 pristine golf courses, or relax at Lake Tahoe's sandy beaches. Don't miss fabulous summer festivals, including the Lake Tahoe Music Festival and the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. With 12 world-class alpine ski resorts, the largest concentration of ski resorts in the country, Lake Tahoe is a magical winter wonderland - from leisurely bowls to heart-pounding steeps to super pipes to the serenity of the Sierra's cross-country trails.

Red Rock Canyon
Named for its red colored sandstone formations, Red Rock Canyon is one of the most scenic places in Nevada and a natural treasure. A narrow valley of mountains, cliff and hills 15 miles west of downtown Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon features a 13-mile scenic drive, spectacular desert landscape, over 30 miles of hiking trails, picnic areas, interpretive programs and a Visitor Center. A destination of dramatic beauty, peaceful serenity and unique geologic features, Red Rock Canyon is a magical place for hiking, biking, rock climbing, photography, and horseback riding.

Hoover Dam
Rising 700 feet above the raging Colorado River, 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam is an engineering feat like few others ever accomplished. Built during the Great Depression, this colossus brought electricity and water to millions and transformed the American Southwest. A concrete gravity-arched dam and power plant in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, between Arizona and Nevada, Hoover Dam is such an impactful and revolutionary monument that it is recognized as a US Historic Landmark. Lake Mead is the reservoir created behind the dam.

Nevada Mining Towns
The state of Nevada has a rich history in mining that impacted dramatically how it has turned out today. In 1859, large deposits of silver and gold were found in and near Virginia City. These discoveries brought waves of immigrants and miners to the area, similar as to what happened ten years earlier during the Gold Rush phenomena of California. Soon after, in cities such as Tonopah, Austin, and Elko, rich mining strikes were made that would come to economically sustain the state for the next half century. In the present, mining is still a very prominent industry helping sustain the state, with only tourism being more profitable. However, a number of the original Nevada mines from the mid-19th and early-20th centuries are still in tact to go visit today.

Ruby Mountains
A narrow mountain range stretching 80 miles of northeastern Nevada, the Ruby Mountains are a magical wilderness for hiking, backpacking and skiing, with 10 peaks over 10,000 feet in elevation, roaring streams, and 30 alpine lakes and ponds. Snow-capped jewels, Ruby Mountains' peaks are an unbelievable site to witness. Emerging 20 million years ago, the jagged Rubies offer Nevada's most spectacular landscape, with hanging valleys, blankets of alpine flowers, dotted lakes, and alpine rivers that flow down into horseshoe glacial valleys - a classic mountain wilderness. With stunning alpine scenery, abundant wildlife and water, the Rubies are the crown of the Great Basin Region.

Mount Rose
With panoramic views of Lake Tahoe, excellent snow conditions and the Chutes between the east and west bowls, Mt. Rose is Tahoe's ultimate ski and snowboard retreat. From Tahoe's highest base (elevation 8,260'), skiers descend 1,800 vertical feet into 1,200 acres of the Sierra's sublime powder. The closest ski resort to Reno/Tahoe International Airport, Mt. Rose is the perfect place for a Nevada ski vacation. The beautiful Mount Rose Wilderness features miles of hiking, biking and horseback trails, secluded meadows and small lakes, wild and remote as any wilderness with solitude for city dwellers. The 6-mile Mt. Rose Trail ascends to the 10,776 foot summit of Mt. Rose, affording spectacular views of Lake Tahoe, Reno and Mt. Shasta.

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