Las Vegas has a reputation for keeping secrets. But the best-kept one of all has to be the top-notch rock climbing, mountain biking, trail running, and paddleboarding just minutes from the strip.
Red Rock Canyon 颅National聽Conservation Area
More than 2,000 sandstone bouldering routes from the craps tables at Mandalay Bay. Try Pork Chop, a classic V3 boulder problem, or Dream of Wild Turkeys, a ten-pitch moderate trad route.
Lake Mead
The average annual high in Vegas is 80 degrees. Cool off by exploring the on聽a paddleboard.
Bootleg Canyon
Vegas鈥檚 other man-made 颅wonder: for mountain bikers just southeast of the city. Find speed, sweeping turns, some air, and a bit of exposure on the 1.5-mile POW Trail.
Yoga at the Mirage Hotel
The Mirage鈥檚 鈥渦nderwater鈥澛爏tudio . Yeah, at $50 it鈥檚 expensive鈥攁nd total Vegas kitsch鈥攂ut how often do you get to dolphin-pose with actual dolphins?
Las Vegas Cyclery
This has bikes galore and guides to lead you on multi-day adventures. You can even demo a new steed on the trail circling the property.
Mount Charleston聽Wilderness
This west of town has 40 miles of hiking trails winding through evergreen forests, slot canyons, and ice-cold springs. The 1.9-mile Fletcher Canyon moves through a gorge with 200-foot-high walls.
Local Joe:聽Rob Erekson,聽Race Director, Desert Dash
鈥 is really close to town and has 100 miles of trails and dirt roads that are great for running. It鈥檚 mostly flat, but there are a few good gnarly climbs.鈥
Local Pro:聽Alex Johnson,聽Rock climber
鈥淚 fill up at 颅, just outside Red Rocks, after almost every climb. They do all kinds of healthy juices and salads. I鈥檓 addicted to their protein plates with quinoa and steak.鈥