Las Vegas: The Original Oasis

Recreational opportunities abound in Southern Nevada. Whether you’re looking for an exciting adventure or a scenic path to stroll down, you’ll find it here. Within a short distance of Las Vegas, adventure-seekers can go whitewater rafting, snow skiing, snowboarding, skydiving, horseback riding and kayaking or skirt across the desert on a variety of motor vehicles. Via land, sea and air, area travel and tour operators offer the young at heart breath-taking expeditions to the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and other havens of natural and man-made beauty.

“At the center of our life in Southern Nevada, Las Vegas is an oasis built out of the Mojave Desert, yet the desert remains a crucial part of our environment providing substantial recreational opportunities,” said Tim Cashman, Co-owner of Las Vegas Red Rock and Zion Harley. “The beauty and splendor of Red Rock Canyon and the Valley of Fire are sites to behold. Both locations provide the opportunity to hike and explore our natural environment and heritage.”

Ideal outdoor temperatures make taking advantage of the outdoors easy. From a leisurely walk to adventure sports, Las Vegas has the facilities to accommodate any recreational desire. Traditional activities such as fishing, golfing, swimming, camping and sightseeing tours can be found at varies locations throughout the area. The region boasts more than 30 public golf courses and visitors and locals alike can be seen practicing their best Tiger Woods impression every day.

Incorporating outdoor recreation into meetings and events is easy in Las Vegas. While the city is known for its’ bright lights and flashy leisure options, the city was founded on the splendor of the outdoors.  There are numerous opportunities to enjoy all that Las Vegas has to offer in the way of recreational activities. The following are some of the most popular ways to incorporate the great outdoors into Las Vegas meetings and events:

A Trip to the Park

A wide variety of parks and trail systems are scattered throughout Southern Nevada. From intimate neighborhood parks with picnic tables and benches to multi-acre outdoor play areas with water features and massive playgrounds, Las Vegas has it all!  Park amenities may include playground equipment, picnic areas, barbecue grills, swimming pools, horseshoe pits and shuffleboard. Also available at many parks are fitness stations, walking paths and sports facilities for basketball, tennis, soccer, football, baseball, softball, track and field, racquetball and volleyball.

Golf

Southern Nevada is home to a number of championship golf courses designed by Palmer, Nicklaus, Chi Chi Rodriquez, Johnny Miller and Fuzzy Zoeller. The climate of Las Vegas makes golf an attractive year-round sport.

Bicycle and Motorcycle Riding

One special way to enjoy the beauty of the region is on a bicycle or motorcycle. The region is a biker’s paradise with many scenic drives, tremendous overlooks and terrific weather. The area attracts many bike enthusiasts in search of favorable weather and breathtaking scenery.

Boating and Cruising

From kayak and canoe trips in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area to sail boats and cruise ships in the Las Vegas Boat Harbor, the region is poised to please any water adventurer.

The Las Vegas Boat Harbor, located in Hemenway Harbor, offers a variety of services for boating enthusiasts. In addition to power boats and sailboats, Jet Ski, wind surfer, water ski and parasailing equipment is also available.

Rafting

Day trips allow visitors to marvel in the beauty of the Grand Canyon. Numerous tour companies provide transportation and many offer numerous ways to enjoy the sights. One such company, Awesome Adventures, offers its clients the opportunity to white water raft down the Colorado River and shoot river rapids like “Dragon Tooth,” with the walls of the Grand Canyon all around.

Horseback Riding

Horseback riding through the beautiful luminous desert at sunset is a fantasy shared by many outdoor enthusiasts. Las Vegas offers visitors the opportunity to engage in riding tours that highlight many of the regions most historical and visually pleasing locations. Many riding companies offer private tours, dining opportunities and customizable packages.

The Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area is the most popular destination for horseback riding tours. A truly unique geologic feature, Red Rock Canyon represents some of the best illustrations of the Mojave Desert. Many horseback riding tour companies offer rides through the area.

Camping

Las Vegas is a camping paradise. Numerous campgrounds throughout the area offer avid campers the opportunity to “rough it.” Many campgrounds have sites with special facilities such as fire rings, barbecue grills, bathrooms and utilities. One of the most popular camping destinations, Toiyabe National Forest offers campers 160 picnic areas and 150 campsites in seven campgrounds.

Visiting the Zoo

The Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park (a.k.a. Las Vegas Zoo) is managed by the Nevada Zoological Foundation. The three-acre park is located just 15 minutes northwest of the Las Vegas Strip. The zoo exhibits over 150 species of plants and animals. As the only zoo in Las Vegas and the only year-round zoo in Nevada, the staff works hard to educate and entertain the public by displaying a variety of plants and animals.

ATV Tours

Numerous outdoor recreation companies offer group ATV tours to the Valley of Fire and Eldorado Canyon.  Awesome Adventures offers several customizable packages that include historical tours of area attractions and dinner in the great outdoors. This is a unique option for teambuilding and leisure activities.

Fun beyond the Strip

The innate brilliance of the dessert provides a breathtaking backdrop for recreational outdoor activities. Many of these activities are designed for large groups and appeal to a wide audience. While the Las Vegas Strip is a Mecca for entertainment options, many meeting planners find that the outdoor opportunities in the city rival the indoor ones.   Any way you add it up, Las Vegas offers something for everyone’s taste, budget and interest.