Tight spaces, terrifying falls, broken bones — and ultimate triumph. Hold on tight as you read this digest of outdoor adventures gone sideways, told by those who lived it
Rock climbers around the world flock to Southern Nevada for its legendary climbing. many settle here to pursue a life among the rocks — a life of hunger, danger and ecstasy.
The Nevada National Security Site might not ring a bell right away, most people will know it better by its previous name: the Nevada Test Site. There...
It started like it does for dads from the Midwest, Boy Scouts from Texas and newlyweds from the Bronx: with a hike up Angels Landing, that predictably obvious, narrow fin of orange rock so tantalizingly cast out from Scout Lookout, a benign place to sit and watch, to lunch, beyond that other squiggly, curious haven, yes, Walter’s Wiggles, there in the mind-numbing center of the universe you and I call Zion Canyon.
Go take a walk, run or ride on these seven civic trails — right in your own neighborhood
Sure, nature beckons — but we’re often too busy to heed the call. A weekend camping trip? A leisurely daylong hike? They’re wonderful — when our crowded calendars allow it.
At the end of an amazingly scenic drive down Valley of Fire’s lone paved side road lies a short hike that’s long on scenery: White Dome Loop. The two-mile circle begins up a sandy wash, then drops down into an incredibly colorful canyon used as a backdrop in the 1966 Burt Lancaster western, “The Professionals.
Spring Valley State Park is famous for being the best fishin’ hole within driving distance of Las Vegas. In fact, it’s so famous for fishing, most Southern Nevadans think it’s called Eagle Valley (the name of the park’s reservoir).
From mild to wild, here are nine trips to ‘wet’ your appetite for adventure, relaxation and family fun
A (worthwhile) trek to Eden in the desert
Baker Lake, Nevada
Get wet: If you’re looking to evade not only heat, but also neighbors and civilization in general, get out a Nevada map and circle Great Basin National Park, 286 miles from Las Vegas, near the Utah border. The 77,100-acre park is often overlooked because of its distance, but Great Basin offers something many nearer parks don’t: water.
If Bryce and Zion had a love child, it would look like Cedar Breaks National Monument. Located only 56 miles to the west of Bryce — and an even shorter drive north out of Zion’s Kolob Canyon area — Cedar Breaks is significantly smaller and much less crowded than more popular attractions in southern Utah, but it’s no less spectacular.
Whether you want to nosh with the family, log some miles or run your dogs ragged, there’s a perfect park for you
Best park for the whole family
Centennial Hills Park
Sweet, glorious springtime is in effect year-round at Centennial Hills Park, with soaring flower and butterfly shade covers to make you want to kick your heels up and frolic. Children and those with a soft spot for whimsy will be enthralled by the Alice in Wonderland vibe, completed by red toadstool tables and little froggies that spit water.
Sure, hiking is all about the journey. But these five boast destinations — stunning views, historic sites and other treasures — that are well worth the huffing and puffing
My name is Alan Gegax, and I am the chief of the Las Vegas Hiking & Outdoors Meetup. We are the hiking group that Branch Whitney singled out, without naming, in his essay in Desert Companion’s April 2011 issue (“Twenty-one is a crowd”).
How much Southwest can you see on a tank of gas? The answer from our
road-trip guru: Plenty — in every direction
We may live on an island in the sand, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t dozens of great voyages beckoning you and your land schooner. Tank up and head out on one of these 10 rewarding routes that will have you back in Las Vegas — without a refill.
What happens when an outdoor girl dates in the indoor world? A whole new kind of adventure The desert just wants to be loved The conversation died. My date made a brave attempt to fill the silence.
From towering peaks and deep canyons to seasonal waterfalls and wild burros, Red Rock National Conservation Area is a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Hikers have found some of the best rock scrambling hikes in the country here.
As we write this, our story “Fifteen great hikes (practically) in your own backyard” is number one on the Desert Companion website’s “most viewed” list.
A “rare treasure,” the Desert National Wildlife Refuge is home to diverse wildlife, and is a hub of research and recreation — but the Air Force has it in its sights. We take a deeper look into this conflicted landscape and what’s at stake in the dispute.