Image of the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign

A NEW WAY TO VEGAS – COLORADO OVERLANDER EDITION

The name ‘Las Vegas’ conjures up classic images of rolling roulette tables, poker-faced card players, big stage shows, neon lights and the fountains of the Bellagio. Countless movies and stories have been told around the fast-pace life on the Vegas strip, and the romance of the line ‘what happens in Vegas…’

But just outside the glare of downtown, there are hundreds of opportunities to explore remote roads, towering red cliffs and beautiful desert backcountry with a vehicle from Colorado Overlander.

Camping under the stars in a Colorado Overlander

THE SECRET TRICK IS…

Bear with us, because this will double down on the Vegas trip of a lifetime for you.

First, plan your trip out to the Rocky Mountains, flying into Denver, or perhaps Grand Junction airport. Then, take advantage of the rock-bottom rates to add one more short hop to Las Vegas. Colorado Overlander will meet you in Las Vegas with a vehicle of your choice: the family-friendly Toyota 4Runner, beefy Toyota Tundra, or nimble Toyota Tacoma to drive back to Colorado. Along the way you will pass nearby four different National Parks and many more beautiful Jeep Trails and backcountry adventure opportunities.

The trick is to understand that hotels and casinos in Vegas encourage cheap flights to bring more customers through their doors, so flights to Las Vegas can be added to almost any travel plan for a nominal fee per person. Fly into Denver, but hop one-way to Vegas.

You can choose to stay and enjoy the nightlife on the strip, or watch a headlining show or concert, or you can start your journey right away. Within just an hour’s drive of Las Vegas are several incredible natural attractions that invite visitors to explore the unique ecosystem and rugged 4×4 roads of this basin and range desert.

Remember that summer temperatures reach the triple digits almost every day, while winter can provide bitter winds and snowstorms in the high passes of this area.

RED ROCKS

Barely a half an hour west of Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon offers views, hikes, a scenic drive and even some world class rock-climbing routes. As a National Conservation Area located on Bureau of Land Management land, Red Rock Canyon is a favorite of locals and tourists alike, and provides a welcome relief from the pace of the nearby city. Red Rocky Canyon Campground is a primitive campground in the Area, although in a Colorado Overlander vehicle, comfort is never a problem when camping primitive. Water is available on site and reservations are recommended.

TULE SPRINGS FOSSIL BEDS NATIONAL MONUMENT

Take a walk back through the Ice Age as you visit the ‘Big Dig’ in Tule Springs Fossil Beds. First excavated in 1933, Tule Springs became a treasure trove for Ice Age mammal fossils. In 1962, the excavation expanded, creating trenches up to a mile long and discovering mammoths, camels, bison, ground sloth and even the Giant North American Lion. Camping is not available on site, but if you take a stroll during daylight hours, you may spot a piece of the past yourself, but be sure to preserve the joy of discovery for others by leaving what you find.

VALLEY OF FIRE STATE PARK

While Arches and Canyonlands are known for their deep red sandstone formations, the Valley of Fire State Park near Las Vegas will give them a run for their money. Drive the Valley of First Highway for beautiful views and scenic overlooks of the crimson Aztec Sandstone spires, fins and of course, the Balancing Rock. There are also several incredible Jeep Trails in the area, including Bitter Springs Jeep Trail. This 26-mile long track winds through the Muddy Mountains, and is considered a moderate skills trail with views of broad canyons, box canyons and flintstone formations. About six miles from the western end of the trail, Buffington Pockets is a well-known petroglyph site. Be prepared for remote desert travel if you choose to explore this route.

THE WESTERN U.S. NATIONAL PARK ROUTE

Once you are finished exploring these gems of the desert near Las Vegas, start planning your trip back to the Rocky Mountains with Colorado Overlander to discover all the natural attractions and great overlanding opportunities along the way. LEARN MORE

Image of the Maroon Bells in Aspen- with the iconic Maroon Bells reflected in Maroon Lake. The green wilderness and nature surrounds the area.
A scene from the Moab desert with the sun setting in the distance.
Image of the iconic Hanging Lake in Glenwood Springs, Colorado- The water is vivid blue and there are trees and rocky walls surrounding this stunning area.
Image of blue Columbine flowers on a mountain with a beautiful orange sunset in the background.
Image of a wooden cabin with a green roof with stunning mountains and clouds in the background.
Image of a wooden cabin in Steamboat Springs, CO. In the background, the sky is blue with white clouds and there are yellow hills.
Image of Rocky Mountain National Park with views of the green grass, mountain range, and blue sky with clouds.
Image of the Arches view and the sun setting in the background
Image of Horseshoe Bend with the magestic views and sun setting in the background
Image of a view from Zion National Park - you get a sense of majestic nature and wonder.
Image of the mountain views and a green valley with a town in the distance
Image of Yellowstone National Park's Old Faithful- there are stunning colors of blue, green, yellow, and orange as people walk around the thermal water on the sightseeing path.
Image of Crystal Mill in Marble, Colorado. The old wooden mill is rustic and has a sense of history as it is nestled amoung the forest and running river below.
Image of a woman sitting in a natural hot spring in the mountains. In the distance, you see tall green pine trees and majestic mountains.
Image of a beautiful bull elk walking through tall fall grass. In the background, you see a calm body of water and majestic foggy mountains.
Image of three individuals in hunting gear. They are standing as they look over the mountains and soak in the mountain views.
Image of a rocky dirt road lined with grass and wildflowers. In the background, you see a hazy view of the mountain and the sun shining through the clouds.
Image of a bare mountain top with patches of snow on the Alpine Loop in Colorado
An aerial image of a forest of colorful trees in the fall, including yellow, bright orange, red, rust, and bright green. In the background, views of snowcapped mountains.
Shadow of a photographer shooting a photo towards the mountains in the distance.
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