Day Tours from Las Vegas
There are many day tours from Las Vegas options, with your potential conveyances ranging from ATVs to helicopters.
There are two types of Las Vegas tours. First, those that take you to spots in Las Vegas. Second, the day tours that transport you beyond the Las Vegas Strip, revealing the surrounding natural settings and nearby National Parks. The contrast could not be more stark!
For this article, we’re focusing on the day tours from Las Vegas. The potential conveyances range from ATVs to kayaks to helicopters!
Grand Canyon via Bus Tour
If you want to see the Grand Canyon and the helicopter option is too steep in price, or the idea of boarding a helicopter is too scary, a number of operators will take you from Las Vegas via bus.
Again, options abound so shop carefully and decide if you wish to stop at Hoover Dam. Standard bus tours with no stops can be found for under $100 per person. Discounts for advance booking online can save even more.
Max Tour has the highest-rated bus tour to see the Grand Canyon.
Hoover Dam: Self-guided and Guided Tours
This National Historic Landmark was constructed from 1931 to 1936 and created Lake Mead. It remains a breathtaking sight and is a great day trip for those who wish to take a break from the city’s bright lights. (Please note you do not have to hire a tour operator to visit Hoover Dam.)
The US Bureau of Reclamation operates the dam, which sells three types of tour tickets: $10 for a self-guided Visitors Center tour, $15 for a guided tour of the dam’s power plant, or $30 for a complete Guided Dam Tour (price includes the power plant tour and the Visitors Center, plus access to several historic tunnels).
Tours run from 9 am to 5 pm, with the last tour departing at 3:45 pm.
Guided Dam Tour tickets only are sold on-site, first come-first served, and routinely sell out so arrive early. If you drive your own vehicle (or a rental) to the dam, parking is $10.
If you have time and it is not too hot, a walk across the Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge gives a remarkable perspective of the dam, Lake Mead, and all of Black Canyon.
Popular Kayak Day Trips
Lake Mead and the Colorado River offer numerous water-related recreational activities, and kayaking is one of the most popular. Depending on whether you wish to spend 3 hours or 7 hours paddling, you can find a package just for you. Operators usually offer options of guided or self-tours.
Evolution Expeditions and Blazin’ Paddles come highly rated.
Gun Range Adventure Tour
If simply riding on a helicopter and viewing sights isn’t thrilling enough, consider Gunship Helicopters and its Aerial Shooting Adventures Tours.
The company operates a 71-acre gunnery range in the Mojave Desert. Visitors can shoot various weapons on the ground or fire a M249 SAW fully automatic machine gun as a door gunner from an A-star helicopter.
Packages start at $550 and go up to $5,750 for a deal that includes a trip to Battlefield, Vegas. Specials are offered for groups of two, four, and 10 people.
Sights at New Heights: Helicopter Tours
Numerous helicopter tour companies are doing business in Las Vegas, with a range of options that start with overflights of The Strip to Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire to Hoover Dam/Lake Mead to the Grand Canyon, and more.
Add-ons include meals, horseback or ATV (all-terrain vehicle) rides, or admission to various tourist attractions. You can even get packages for a wedding.
Two of the most popular companies include Maverick Helicopter and GC Flight.
A Desert Paradise: ATV Experiences
Zipping over desert sands on an ATV, Jeep, Razor, or other motorized vehicle is thrilling. Once again, several operators are ready to take tourists (or Vegas locals) from Glitter Gulch out to the dunes of the Mojave Desert!
Some even combine off-road riding with shooting experiences. In most cases, there are health-related restrictions.
Companies tend to require solo riders to be 18 years or older, with children 6 to 17 required to be a passenger with a qualified adult. Other requirements many include passing a basic skills test to demonstrate your ability to handle an ATV. Riders must sign waivers.
Two of the most experienced tour operators are Las Vegas ATVs and Las Vegas Outdoor Adventures. Both have several packages, starting at about $100 per person. Check with the operator for tour availability, pick-up/drop-off points, and any restrictions.
