The Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Antelope Canyon, Zion and more, all within a day of the Strip. We compared each trip by drive time, tour price and season so you can pick the right one quickly.
The best day trip from Las Vegas for most visitors is Grand Canyon West: about 2.5 hours each way, with tours from $99 that add a Hoover Dam stop (rated 4.8 by 4,100+ travelers). Only have a morning? Hoover Dam or Red Rock Canyon are under an hour away. Want the most unforgettable photos? Make the longer trip to Antelope Canyon.
We earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked October 2026.
Choose fast
The list
Ranked by how much each trip is worth for a typical first or second visit to Vegas. Drive times are one way from the Strip.
#1The closest way to see the Grand Canyon. It's run by the Hualapai Tribe, and the famous glass Skywalk juts 70 feet over the edge. Most tours stop at Hoover Dam on the way.
#2The postcard Grand Canyon views at Mather Point and along the rim. It's a long day, but this is the view most people picture. Non-US residents pay an extra $100 park fee.
#3The 726-foot Art Deco dam on the Nevada–Arizona border. Short tours fit easily into a morning. Note: visitors with a pacemaker can't go inside the dam.
#4Glowing sandstone slot canyons on Navajo land, plus the Horseshoe Bend overlook. It's the most photogenic trip on this list and worth the long day.
#5Towering red cliffs and the Virgin River. Day tours include easy walks like the Riverside Walk. Utah is one hour ahead of Las Vegas all year.
#6Nevada's oldest state park: fiery red sandstone, ancient petroglyphs and the swirling Fire Wave. Big scenery for a short trip. Avoid midday in summer.
#7Badwater Basin (the lowest point in North America), Zabriskie Point and sand dunes. It's spectacular in winter and dangerously hot in summer.
#8A 13-mile scenic loop of red and cream sandstone just west of town. From October to May the scenic drive needs a timed-entry reservation, and a tour handles that for you.
At a glance
| Day trip | Drive (one way) | Tour length | Tours from | Best season | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Rock Canyon | 30 min | 4–5 h | $129 | Oct–May | Short hike, close by |
| Hoover Dam | 45 min | 3–5 h | $70 | All year | Half day, history |
| Valley of Fire | 1 h | 5–6 h | $109 | Oct–Apr | Scenery, few crowds |
| Death Valley | 2 h | 10–12 h | $165 | Nov–Mar | Winter, landscapes |
| Grand Canyon West | 2.5 h | 10–12 h | $99 | All year | First-timers, Skywalk |
| Zion | 2.5–3 h | 10–12 h | $179 | Mar–Nov | Hiking |
| Antelope Canyon | 4.5 h | 14–16 h | $160 | Mar–Oct | Photography |
| Grand Canyon South Rim | 4.5 h | 14–15 h | $90 | All year | Classic views |
Prices are "from" prices per adult on GetYourGuide, checked October 2026, and vary by date and options. Drive times are approximate.
The big question
Want both the canyon and the dam in one go? The small-group Grand Canyon West + Hoover Dam tour (4.8★ from 517 reviews, from $205) includes the Skywalk, breakfast and a picnic lunch.
Plan smarter
Utah (Zion) is an hour ahead of Vegas all year. Arizona skips daylight saving time, but the Navajo Nation (Antelope Canyon) doesn't. Tours handle this; self-drivers often get it wrong.
Death Valley and Valley of Fire regularly pass 110°F in summer. Go between October and April, or pick a sunset tour.
Skywalk tickets, Lower Antelope Canyon entry and non-US park fees are often extra. Compare the full price, not just the headline.
Small-group tours sell out on weekends and holidays. Free cancellation means there's little risk in booking early.
The desert is cold at dawn and scorching by noon. Coaches are air-conditioned too, so bring a light jacket.
Guides and drivers typically expect 15–20%. It's rarely included in the tour price.
FAQ
For most first-time visitors it's the Grand Canyon. Grand Canyon West, with the Skywalk, is the easiest at about 2.5 hours each way, and tours often add a Hoover Dam stop. If you only have half a day, Hoover Dam or Red Rock Canyon are under an hour away.
Yes. Grand Canyon West is about 125 miles (2.5 hours) away and makes a comfortable 10–12 hour day. The South Rim, inside Grand Canyon National Park, is about 275 miles (4.5 hours) away, so day tours last 14–15 hours.
The South Rim has the classic, wide-open views and is part of the national park, but it's a much longer day. Grand Canyon West is closer, has the glass Skywalk, and is run by the Hualapai Tribe. Choose the South Rim for scenery, West for convenience. See our comparison.
Death Valley, about 2 hours away. Zion is about 2.5–3 hours and the Grand Canyon South Rim about 4.5 hours. Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire are closer but are a conservation area and a state park, not national parks.
No. Guided tours to every destination on this list leave from the Strip, most with hotel pickup or a central meeting point. A car only makes sense if you want to set your own schedule or stay overnight.
Most Las Vegas day tours can be cancelled for a full refund up to 24 hours before, so you can lock in a spot now and decide later.
Back on the Strip