The Outdoor Issue
- The beautiful, technical, secret worlds of canyoneering
- The hunger of a man denied: Will Swope eyes the Spartan Race podium
- Air Force S.E.R.E. Specialists are masters in the art of survival
- Fireside fare: Chef Charlie Palmer has your recipe for stellar camp cuisine
- Inside the photos of adventure junkie Cameron Grant
- Gear to outfit your dog with for your next hiking adventure
- Hit the trail: Our guide to 10 of the Las Vegas Valley’s best routes
- Gear up: 5 essentials (and sexy upgrades) for the great outdoors
- A city girl in hot water: Exploring some nearby hot springs
- Fun runs that are actually fun
Sidewalks are overrated. Venture out on these Valley trails and experience Vegas from a different perspective:
Pittman Wash
Where: Green Valley
Length: 4 miles
Good for: Walking, running
Green Valley residents flock to the paved path that runs along Pittman Wash from Pebble to Arroyo Grande to stretch their legs, walk their dogs or clock some mileage. Well-maintained and partially shaded, the trail offers early-morning bunny sightings and a chance to check out the neighbors’ backyards.
Cottonwood Valley
Where: Route 160 toward Pahrump
Length: 140 miles
Good for: Biking, walking, running
When the temperature spikes, you can count on it being at least 10 degrees cooler at Cottonwood. Split by the road, the north and south sides offer rugged singletrack meandering through desert scrub framed by gorgeous red rocks. There are gnarly rides and scenic walks, with intersecting loops and lots of postcard-worthy landmarks. Keep an eye out for the infamous Blue Diamond donkeys.
McCullough Hills
Where: Henderson
Length: 8 miles
Good for: Biking, walking, running
This dusty route connects Mission Drive to Anthem, slicing through beautiful desert and climbing a few wicked hills in the process. Tackle the full 8 miles, and you’ll be treated to great views, singletrack offshoots and 1,200 feet of elevation gain. Try the unmarked path 3.5 miles from the trailhead, which leads to a vantage point for taking in the scenery and resting your legs.
Wetlands Park
Where: East side
Size: 210 acres
Good for: Walking, running
Miles of paved and unpaved trails beckon within the boundaries of the Wetlands Park Nature Preserve near Boulder Highway, where your soundtrack can be birdsong or the wind in the reeds. Hit the Nature Center before you start exploring this urban escape, where you’ll truly feel like you’ve left Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Wash Trail
Where: North Las Vegas
Length: 35 miles
Good for: Biking, walking, running, rollerskating, skateboarding
With only a few spots where you have to cross streets—and a pedestrian bridge over the 15 all but ready to rock—the Upper Wash Trail and Lower Wash Trail make it possible to cut through the Valley from North Las Vegas all the way to the Wetlands Park. The path is wide and paved with amenities for a variety of users, from joggers to skateboarders, and there are sections with some nice mountain views and desert landscaping.
Historic Railroad Trail
Where: Lake Mead
Length: 3.7 miles
Good for: Biking, walking, running
If you’ve ever craved shade on a hard run this is your trail, with cool, quiet (and historically significant!) tunnels left over from the construction of Hoover Dam. The 300-foot-long chutes are refreshing breaks from the heat and were once in a Clint Eastwood movie. It’s a level, out-and-back experience, so you can pick your distance.
Bootleg Canyon
Where: Boulder City
Length: 36 miles
Good for: Biking, walking, running
The International Mountain Bicycling Association calls Bootleg a man-made wonder, but its unforgiving terrain is not for the faint of heart. Still, the picturesque hills, diverse trails (with some of the sickest downhill in the U.S.) and weekday solitude are hard to pass up. There’s even a shuttle to the top.
River Mountains Loop Trail
Where: Henderson & Boulder City
Length: 35 miles
Good for: Biking, walking, running, horseback riding
Lake Mead. Bighorn sheep. Coyotes. Desert grit. A full trip on this 35-mile paved loop around the River Mountains is an adventure where both the scenery and the challenging terrain are likely to take your breath away. Not ready to attempt the whole route? Consider biting off a chunk near Boulder City, where there are plenty of options for post-workout rewards.
Peccole Ranch Walking Trail
Where: Summerlin
Length: Just under 3 miles
Good for: Walking, running
A winding trip through the westside Peccole Ranch neighborhood, this paved, mostly flat trail feels almost like a trip to the park, thanks to lush landscaping and basic exercise equipment spaced along the route. At just under 3 miles, it’s not the best place to train for a marathon, but it is a lovely place for a morning jog.
Amargosa Trail
Where: Henderson
Length: 6 miles
Good for: Biking, walking, running
Mostly paved, it’s the 2.6 miles of rugged steepness leading into the foothills that makes this trail a favorite. It was designed for mountain bikes, but the dirt also gets pounded by runners and hikers taking in the views. At the summit, you can turn back or continue to Hidden Falls Park for basketball, the dog park or a couple passes on the splash pads after working up a sweat.