Finding Peace In The Sin City: The Best Parks In Las Vegas For You To Unwind

For most of us, a trip to Las Vegas means lounging in lavish hotels, drinking like a fish at pool bars, blowing on the dice at casinos, and rocking the dance floors. It’s the “city of sins”, after all, and it doesn’t hurt to indulge ourselves a bit more than usual here. 

Or so you think. 

But, eventually, you might get tired of crowds and parties. Eventually, you might find yourself drained by the city’s flashiness. At that point, the wise and well-informed will take a break from The Strip and escape to the stunning natural splendors that surround Las Vegas. 

Forged by tectonics, sculpted by the wind, and baked by the desert sun, majestic canyons, epic mountains, and lush forests all beckon you to seek solace in the arm of Mother Nature. So, if you are daring enough to explore this overlooked side of the city, Enjoyfuntrip’s list of the best parks in Las Vegas is for you.

Park Opening Hours Admission
Spring Preserve 10 AM to 6 PM (spring-summer) 10 AM to 4 PM (fall-winter) $4.95 (children)
$9.95 (adults)
Floyd Lamb Park 8 AM to 8 PM $6 per vehicle
Tule Spring Fossil Bed National Monument 6 AM to 7 PM Free
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area 6 AM to 8 PM $10 per vehicle
The Park Vegas 24 hours Free

Best Parks In Las Vegas – Spring Preserve 

  • Opening hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (spring-summer) and 10: 00 AM to 4:00 PM (fall-winter)
  • Admission: $4.95 (children), $9.95 (adults)

If you want to breathe some fresh air and recharge your batteries, yet don’t want to venture so far from The Strip, head to Spring Preserve. Being a literal oasis in the heart of the Mojave Desert, this iconic attraction consists of 180 acres dedicated to nature walks and displays. 

Spring Preserve Las Vegas
Spring Preserve Is A Nature Preserve With Museums And Botanical Gardens – Source: Hotels.com

On your first visit, it might be tough to figure out where to begin. Natural lovers will get lost in butterfly habitats and colorful botanical gardens, which feature over 30,000 species of native plants. Meanwhile, adventurous souls can explore the interpretive trail system that winds its way through a picturesque wetland habitat. 

The fun keeps coming indoors, too. Inside the main buildings, visitors marvel at the massive display of fossils or interact with living animals like Gila monsters or dessert cottontails. The park also hosts educational exhibits throughout the year to help young people learn more about Vegas’ rich legacy. 

Overall, this educational complex will take you on a wonderful trip through cultural, biological, and historical times. A fascinating destination for families with kids or kids at heart! 

Floyd Lamb Park

  • Opening hours: 8 AM to 8 PM
  • Admission: $6 per vehicle

As you might guess from its special location, aside from gaming and glittering lights, Las Vegas also prides itself on the oases. Floyd Lamb Park, or as the locals say, “Floyd Lamb State Park”, is another awe-inspiring oasis nestled in the northwest of this city. 

The park is all about lush vegetation, picturesque scenery, natural lakes, and bountiful wildlife – everything you could ask for from a weekend getaway. This is the perfect destination for your family, with plenty of barbecue pits and kid-friendly picnic areas. 

floyd lamb park las vegas
Fall Tranquility At Floyd Lamb Park – Source: Reddit

Fishing is one of the most loved activities here. There are four lovely ponds stocked with channel catfish and rainbow trout. Spending a day afield casting for fish surely relieves you from daily stress. And don’t forget to snap a picture – not every day can you go fishing in the middle of a desert! 

Tule Spring Fossil Bed National Monument

  • Opening hours: 6 AM to 7 PM
  • Admission: Free

Over 20,000 years ago, Las Vegas’ land was lush with vegetation and freshwater lakes. Both of them provided habitats for now-extinct creatures, such as bison, ground sloths, and even Columbian mammoths. Their fossils now rest along the northern edge of the valley. 

The National Park Service establishes Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument to preserve this area. This urban park is yet to be developed. Thus there are no trails or visitor centers. 

For paleontology lovers, though, it’s truly a hidden gem. If you are adventurous enough to brave the desert heat and venture off the paved paths, you will encounter thousands of Pleistocene fossils that tell the tale of an ever-changing ecosystem. Just make sure you bring enough water and don’t forget to keep an eye on the ground! 

Tule Spring Fossil Bed National Monument Nevada
Explore The Place Where Ice Age Dire Wolves Hunted Mammoths – Source: Outdoor Projects

I’d recommend dropping by Tule Spring Fossil Bed National Monument after you’ve spent the day at Floyd Lamb Park since it’s only 4 minutes away. And, believe it or not, kids will be more excited to learn about the Ice Age than you think! “My children were fascinated by the stories of the fossils there. It was the first time they went fossil hunting, and now they keep talking about it. Fun and educational activity for the whole family, even without the bell and whistles of a National Monument”, TripAdvisor user HappyJana wrote. 

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area 

  • Opening hours: 6 AM to 8 PM
  • Admission: $10 per vehicle

The Red Rock Canyon, formed by a 3000 ft. red rock escarpment rising sharply from the valley floor, is widely prevalent among those who want to take a break from the gaming tables. Locals hold this park in high regard, and 2 million tourists from across the globe flock here every year to marvel at its dramatic vistas. 

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Las Vegas
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Is The Closest National Park To Las Vegas – Source: Trip.com

The premier activities in Red Rock Canyon are horseback riding and hiking. Hikers can choose among 30 miles of incredible hiking trails, but for me, the best ones are along the Calico Hill Trails. They feature vibrant red bluffs and shady gorges – a scenery you can’t find anywhere else but Las Vegas. Although this trail is rated as easy to moderate, it’s full of amazing findings that will keep you entertained. 

In case you don’t have much time, the famous Scenic Drive will take you through the most breathtaking landscapes this park has to offer. Along the 13-mile route, you can see a number of gorgeous viewpoints and a host of trailheads. There is a caveat here: Since it’s a one-way road, I’d recommend stopping whenever an overlook piques your curiosity. If you do miss one, there is no turning back. 

Best Parks In Las Vegas – The Park Vegas

  • Opening hours: 24 hours
  • Admission: Free

The Park Vegas, nestled between T-Mobile Arena and New York-New York Hotel & Casino, took 60 years to be constructed. It’s definitely worth the wait, though. 

“It’s the first time I’ve been to this outdoor promenade, and it blows me away.” – Lee Abbamonte, a famous travel blogger, shared his experience. Indeed, The “Park” Vegas redefines our idea of traditional parks: Along tree-lined walkways are open-air restaurants, beer gardens, and gaming centers. Groups of friends will discover a wide variety of dining options and late-night food, from fried chicken and waffle sandwiches to a wildly entertaining sushi restaurant with hand-brew sake. 

For Its Uniqueness, “The Park” Is Well-Known As One Of The Nice Parks In Las Vegas 

Park Vegas fully embraces the liveliness and vibrant energy of the city. However, when you need some space to sober up and breathe fresh air, it doesn’t disappoint. There are hundreds (yes, hundreds) of lush-green trees and flowers, two majestic water walls, and shade structures varying in height. At night, these structures light up, resembling oversized neon blooms.

You Won’t Believe This Side Of Vegas Until You See It

Besides the glitz and glam of the Boulevard, Sin City has no shortage of wild things to do. This list of best parks in Las Vegas just scratches the surface, but it will come in handy if you want to explore the city’s hidden side. 

So, are you ready for this unusual trip? Make sure to invite someone special along for the adventures! 

After over 10 years in the field, I've learned enough about the "business" of travel to pass along some precious insights to other globetrotters. You can call me a seasoned-world traveler or an "off-the-grid" pioneer, as I've actually dabbled in both. Traveling is part of my whole life; thus, I go out of town at least once a month for new getaways. Hopefully, all tips and tactics I've picked up along the way can help anyone as enthusiastic about exploring the globe as I am.