I can't believe I forgot to review this crazy adventure from a couple years ago…read more I have visited the lava tubes in Hawaii and when I found out we had one in the middle of the desert I knew I would have to come check it out. Post pandemic, my husband and I set out on a Saturday morning to find and explore these tubes. From Las Vegas it takes roughly 2.5 hours to get there. Driving the I15 freeway, take the Kelso Road exit and make a left turn. Drive on this road till you see Aiken Mine Road. Turn here and it will take you to the tubes. Be advised this is a dirt road not maintained so it can be a challenge for a regular vehicle. High clearance vehicles are preferred. Once you arrive and park, you will see the trail that takes you to a ladder that you will climb down to enter the tube. Be careful and watch your head as you descend into the lava tube. It is very easy to hit your head on the overhead rock hanging down. If you hit the tube at just the right time, light will filter through and it's very interesting and unique. Be careful with the dust down there, it is swirling all around from foot traffic. I advise wearing a mask like I did in order to not breathe in bad air. Although not as picturesque as the Hawaiian tubes, it was a fun little adventure to seek out. Remember to follow the principles and Leave No Trace.

Very cool spot, off the beaten path... and when I say beaten, I mean it -- think bumpy, rocky…read more.. all the things besides smooth lol! This is about a 30 min drive off 15 and then once you turn off the main road, you'll take the unpaved road about 4.5 miles to the lava tubes where you'll then walk about .3 miles or so! Super easy and straightforward to find, worth it but take a look at my tips to understand what to prepare for to make it a great experience! 1. Make sure you have a vehicle that is higher up and can with stand a bumpy road -- it is no joke! 2. Climb all the way down into the lava tube, don't just look from above, otherwise it's not worth the trip. 3. Make sure you have some kind of light source because it's dark and you will bump your head or trip if you can't see. If you only have your phone, highly recommend videoing with the flash on, it is MUCH brighter than just the flashlight. 4. There is minimal to no service so just be prepared for that. 5. The 4.5 mile road to the lava tubes is one wide enough for cars going both ways most of the time, but there are times it's really a one lane road, so be aware of who is coming at you from afar and use the pull offs if needed. 6. Optimal lighting in the tube is between 10-2. Think peak sun time. This is slightly dependent on the season as it could fluctuate a bit, but ultimately that's the best time! Hopefully my review and tips help you have a great adventure at the lava tubes! Enjoy!

I was invited by friends to complete this hike today the first day of the new year and new decade…read more(1.1.20). I was excited to complete this hike as I have decided to complete a hiking challenge for this year and this would be hike number one. We promptly met at 9:00am in the Red Springs parking lot and begin our ascent up this so called staircase. There really is no set trail or staircase at all but lots of climbing and scrambling over and through large rocks. You just have to go with someone who has done it before and will guide you up the safest route possible. Luckily my friends complete this hike annually. I wasn't sure that I could handle this climb, but turns out that I was much stronger that I thought. It is strenuous at times and the cardio workout is real, but the reward at the top is so worth it. The views are epic from viewing the entire Red Rock Canyon and seeing way out toward Mt. Potosi. In the other direction seeing through Brownstone Canyon up to Mt. Charleston Peak. This hike also includes some stunning views of our beautiful city. I can only imagine how pretty it would be up here at sunset, but never mind going down would be way to challenging. Remember to Leave No Trace - Keep our public lands clean! #52HikeChallenge - #1

I wanted to go on an adventure this weekend and that I did. I left Central Vegas around 5:15AM and…read moreheaded towards Red Rock Canyon. It was super light traffic at this time on a Sunday so I made it to the Red Springs turnoff at 6AM on the dot. There isn't a clearly marked route so I recommend you go with someone who has done this before. If you go alone, when in doubt, head up! Be careful of loose rocks and wear sturdy shoes. The view from the top is beautiful and overlooks the scenic loop and the strip. You can see the contrast of the city and the mountains. It's stunning and colorful. Bring a light snack, water, and your phone for pictures. It's not a long hike, maybe 30 minutes each direction, but it is moderate and tricky in some spots.

I recently visited Goodsprings because I wanted more day trip options from Henderson outside of the…read moreusual haunts (e.g., national parks and nearby towns/cities in NV, UT, CA, & AZ). I found this trail on the AllTrails app, and it seemed perfect for a Sunday hike (when I typically do shorter hikes to recover from my epic Saturday adventures). While I ended up visiting on a rather drab and dull day with overcast skies, I still spent almost two hours on the trail when I easily could have done the 2-mile hike in 45 minutes to an hour. Highlights included: HISTORY: First of all, Goodsprings is an inhabited ghost town. While the town itself is filled with lots of fascinating Old West history, the interpretive signs along the trail were top tier. I learned about: - The Old Spanish Trail - Carole Lombard's plane crash - The unique geology of the mountains - Mining & minerals abundant in the area - Natural springs - Early inhabitants of Goodsprings - The significance of trains & railroads AN INCREDIBLE SUNSET: I saw one of the most dramatic sunsets as the sun turned the mountains strawberry red right before my eyes. I'm sure the gray skies contributed to this phenomenon, so I'll keep that in mind for future wintry gray day adventures. :) THE TRAIL IS USER FRIENDLY: The trail is wide, easy to navigate, well-maintained, and there are clear markers throughout the entire trail. Translation: the trail is beginner friendly. | There is also a bathroom at the trailhead along with covered picnic tables. Translation: this trail is great for multigenerational families and has space to accommodate those who would prefer to read or play board games instead of going hiking with friends, family members, and other companions.

This trail opened almost three years ago. I hiked it a month after its dedication. Two us decided…read moreto hike the trail on January 2, 2020 to start out the new year with a good hike. This hike in Goodsprings, Nevada, is 2.25 miles total if you take the longest segments of the trail. The town of Goodsprings had a population of 229 from the 2010 census. The theme for the trail is the mining that took place in this area in the 1900s. About 4 miles from the trail, there are many abandoned mines in the Yellow Pine Mining District. We have visited many of them. At the trailhead, there's a picnic table in a covered area, restrooms, and a map of the trails. You can do an easy loop or you can take the harder loop that goes to the highpoint of the ridge behind the trail. The two of us decided to do the harder loop which leaves from the right side of the pavilion and goes along a dirt road that goes to the abandoned mining district. The trail gradually ascends. There is a fork in the trail where you can loop back to the parking lot and have a short hike. Keeping along the "main" trail, the Yellow Pine Railroad Trail, you come to some railroad tied placed as they would have been when the railroad ran along here bringing ore from the mines to Goodsprings. Then there's a replica of a train car decorating a bridge over a wash. From here, the trail keeps heading west and then loops around and you start the upward hiking to the highpoint. At the top, you have some good views of the mountains in the area and a view of Goodsprings. This is a different trail name and you hike along the top of the ridge. At the far end of this section, the trail heads back to the parking area and it's downhill. We saw no animals. The prevailing flora is typical desert with some cacti, Joshua trees, and creosote bushes. This is a good, trail to do in our Covid-19 era. We passed one person on the hike--not bad at all. You can do the full 2.5 mile loop either clockwise or counter clockwise. I suggest counter clockwise. Enjoy and happy hiking!

This hike is not for dogs, and I wouldn't recommend small kids under 10. You have to go up and own…read moreropes, climb a lot of rocks. It is a part of willow beach. So I would recommend maybe meeting at the end of the trail if you HAVE to bring small kids or dogs. You would have to kayak or canoe from willow beach to the end of the trail. At willow beach they do have the equipment available for rent. This hike is long. It took me 4 hours to get to the end and back. There are 7 ropes you will have to go down and climb up to get back. We had to have young men help us up some of the rocks. Boost were needed, and assistance getting down the rocks.

Great hike. Pretty intense and not recommended for kids or elderly in my opinion. Also leave your…read moredogs at home. There are 5 (?) spots with ropes or ladders that you have to climb up / down. The hike is all downhill on the way to the springs and uphill on the way out so remember that. Definitely pack snacks! It's a long hike, our round trip ended up being 7 miles but we did a lot of walking once we got down to the Colorado River. Don't forget to keep ur head above the hot springs water! There are signs for brain eating amoebas that live in the springs (only attack humans if they can travel up the nasal passage)

It was an easy 1.22 round trip walk from the trailhead (once I figured out I didn't have to walk…read moredead center in the loose sand and moved to the perimeter of the trail). Per the information at the trailhead, we did not touch the petroglyphs and were careful not to climb any rocks/boulders even when the trail was only single foot width. It's a dog friendly outing. The weather was just right for it, too. Laughlin is beautiful and breathtaking here.

Grapevine Canyon was a nice hike with plenty of opportunities for some great pictures. The…read morepetroglyphs are always a sight to see. The ride is off a dirt road we drove out in a truck. The mountains around you are beautiful. The sacred land and the history of the tribes that lived in the Spirit Mountain is something to read about. Don't forget your water for the hike. There is a small dirt parking lot and a restroom. Enjoy the history and the scenery.

I love being impulsive and waking up to go adventuring. My man and I woke up on a Friday morning…read moreand decided we were going out to the Mojave Desert to see the lave tube and hike this very short but interesting trail. We did this trail a couple years ago and I just had failed to review so here we go. It's easy to find and the trail is approximately 1.4 miles with an elevation gain of 131 feet. The trail is a complete loop. What makes this trail fun and unusual is at the end in order to leave the narrrow canyon, you must use rings that are bolted into the wall to climb out. You can also descend the canyon with the rings but climbing up and out was much more challenging and rewarding. It helps to be in good shape as you will need to be strong enough to pull your body up through the canyon via the rings. The canyon you hike into is so incredible and so many different rock formations. I loved all the rocks with holes as you could hear the wind blowing through them. Plus there are so many petroglyphs along the way. Lots of photo opportunities and I highly recommend exploring this trail when you are looking to hike a one of kind trail. Plenty of parking and be sure to where solid trail shoes or hiking boots. Remember to pack in and out and LEAVE NO TRACE.

Absolutely gorgeous trail. It passes by wind-worn caves and a petroglyph, and ends at a set of…read moresteel rings for you to climb up (or down, depending on how you traverse the loop). I've never hiked such a unique trail before! The visitor center is also near by and has a gift shop, water, flush toilets, and a nice ranger stationed there who can provide more information about the area and advice. The center is very small so there aren't as many displays to educate you about the surrounding area compared to other visitor centers, but that's ok as you'll probably be itching to go outside and take in the views.

Located within a 5 minute drive from Laughlin Nevada is a spot where a very short hike takes you…read moreback thousands of years. The Sacred area is well worth the short trip and shorter walk. There are literally hundreds of petroglyphs and other stunning views of the rocky mountainous and desert terrain. If the the Laughlin area - Just Do It.

I've been on a LOT of tours in a LOT of places around the world, and Willy is in my top 10! The…read morecaverns are pretty cool, but Willy's knowledge, humor, pacing, and care made this a five-star experience. Our group ranged in age from tween to 60s and everyone was engaged for two hours. I'm a California Naturalist with high standards and Willy knows his stuff! As a native Californian I especially loved knowing he's local, young, and a former CCC "graduate". His contributions and energy are why these government programs are so important. Must see if you're visiting the area, but be warned -- you need reservations and these fill up weeks ahead of time. The paved road, nature center, views, and well-organized everything made this a real treat!

Tours are offered on Friday-Sunday and Holiday Mondays at 11am and 2pm from October to May. In June…read moreand September, tours are on the same days but only at 10am. Reservations are highly recommended, as tour size is limited to approximately 12 people; and reservations are only taken via phone on Mondays between 8am-5pm. Cost is $10 per adult 17+ and parking is $10, payable at the visitors center upon arrival for the tour. The tour itself takes approximately 2 hours, and is about 1.5 mile round trip. It may feel strenuous for some people walking back up to the parking area from the caverns. Our guide was very knowledgeable and informative. I recommend bringing food and drinks to eat before or after the tour, as none is available. Also, leave your bags/belongings in the car. You will be asked to put these items at the entrance of the caverns, including water bottles.

I first hiked Teutonia Peak in 2004. It was a great hike then and still is but the landscape has…read morechanged so much. That's why I wanted to go back. During the summer, the Dome fire burned this area. What was once the largest concentration of Joshua trees in the world is now a sad hike along Joshuas that have been burned. It looked like some had some green at the top and may come back, but most won't. This three mile round trip hike starts along Cima Road. There is plenty of parking on both sides of the road. The first mile of the hike is on sand and gravel with the sand hard packed in a few places. There's a side trail that goes to some remnants of an old silver mine. The trail is clearly marked although some of the signs have faded in the desert sun. At about one mile out, the trail becomes totally different. It's here that the elevation gain of 700 feet begins. Much of the way up requires using rock steps and it becomes a workout. I seem to remember that the trail was a lot less steep almost 17 years ago, but maybe it's just me. At 1.5 miles out, you get a view of Cima Dome. It's a convex mound caused by movement of the tectonic plates in this area millions of years ago. This is where we decided to turn back as we had other things to see in the Mojave National Preserve. This is a good trail for families. It's not as beautiful as it was before the fire but the views and the rock outcrops make it a worthwhile hike!

The hike is a fairly easy hike roughly 1.72 miles to the top. There is parking just outside the…read morestart of the trail and picnic tables at the Mojave Cross. The area is absolutely breathtaking the entire way full of wildlife and Joshua Trees and amazing cloud formations. The hike to the peak is worth it. The view is amazing!

This place has such breathtaking beauty! It's located near Las Vegas. I had ordered the timed entry…read moreticket online in order to make sure I can at least get in if I don't get there before 8 am. It was $22 per vehicle. First stop was to the Visitor Center to get a map and ask for suggestions if I wanted an easy hike. I can see how much they cared about this place by seeing how many maintenance workers there were. After leaving the Visitor Center, I did the scenic route. The landscape was beautiful with all the different types of rocks there were. I ended up not actually doing the full hike that I planned, but it was a worthy time to spend my time here.

Vegas truly has it all!…read more Drive just a little bit out of the city and you are going to arrive at Red Rock Canyon ! They offer local discounts to enter the park! At times parking is available but at other times you are required to walk far! Come prepared this is hiking and rock climbing if you dare. Most individuals can walk the length of trails that are carved for you. You will be walking and walking some more. The distance is how far you want to go! As you hike you can feel nature cleansing your body and mind . The effects of walking in nature are the best ! Bring water you remember this is the desert! No casinos are out here ! We are in real nature ! Individuals come from all over the world to see Red Rock! Remember to leave nature as you found her! The best of all worlds are here and preserved for you and others. Enjoy it ! The prior power of the past created this moment for us to hike here. Prior Indian history is all around the area . The past brought mining to the region. No more of this is allowed. Come and join us in nature. Bring someone special or not ! Pets are welcome! Leave nature as you found her ! Let's get our hike on !