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.

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.

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.

This was an incredible hike! 6 miles round trip, took us about 5 hours to complete!…read more The ropes were helpful throughout (climbing up was much easier then climbing down) however on some, the rocks were very slippery so I think metal stairs in place would be helpful and likely lead to less people getting injured or trapped! Also, it would be great if some trash bins could be placed throughout, this would go a long way in helping to keep this beautiful spot clean. I will definitely revisit again in the fall, recommend starting this hike at sunrise and when temps are 80 or below! Search and rescue teams were set up in the parking lot at around 12pm while we were making our way out, it was around 90 degrees and getting brutal so friendly word of caution, the temps can get extreme and also this is not a hike for children or dogs!!

Willow Beach, an ideal destination for camping, fishing, and outdoor relaxation along the water…read more Camping & Amenities Whether you are planning an overnight stay or a quick day trip, Willow Beach offers well-maintained campsites alongside clean, semi-private restroom facilities featuring air conditioning and fresh showers. For day visitors, scenic picnic areas equipped with tables, benches, and BBQs sit right along the water. Because this popular spot fills up quickly--especially during the summer--reserving your campsite online or arriving early for day-use areas is highly recommended. Fishing & Water Recreation Fishing here is exceptional from both the shoreline and watercraft. Thanks to the local fish hatchery, roughly 800 to 1,000 trout are stocked weekly, frequently attracting sizeable striped bass to the area. If you do not have your own vessel, the marina offers rentals for boats, canoes, and kayaks. Please ensure you hold a valid Arizona fishing license before casting a line (and feel free to play a little Tom Petty--locals swear the fish are drawn to the relaxed music!). Dining & Visitor Convenience An on-site store provides everyday essentials, accompanied by a casual local eatery that serves up great quick bites during its operating hours. Visitor Tips & Safety Location: Located approximately six miles off Mile Marker 13 after crossing the Hoover Dam. Weather Awareness: During monsoon season, keep an eye on local weather reports. Flash floods can quickly affect the main access road, so checking conditions ahead of time ensures a safe and enjoyable trip.

I enjoy coming here to get some time at the water!…read more Heads up: If you do any paddle boarding or boating, etc. you must have a life jacket so please remember that. They also do rentals here for boats/kayaks, etc. that come with life jackets. If you bring your own boat, you cannot rent a life jacket by itself. Recommendations: kayak over to the hot springs for a truly beautiful day! Very peaceful spot to rejuvenate and enjoy nature.

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.

Beautiful preserve with picturesque scenery! We drove through and stopped to take a few pictures,…read morebut this preserve is enormous and definitely requires some advance planning if you want to explore it fully. There are plenty of websites offering ideas and locations to visit. Bring extra water and a portable phone charger, and consider downloading an offline map, as reception can be spotty--we completely lost service for about an hour. Be careful when choosing trails, as some are marked for off-road or four-wheel-drive vehicles only. Overall, it's a great experience and a beautiful place to visit

This is a breath-taking park if you can beat the heat. I've hiked the Kelso Dunes Trail multiple…read moretimes as they sing (or rather vibrate and boom) if you slide down the side of a sand dune. You can also feel the vibrations in your body if you're the one triggering the noise. Apparently jumping and digging can also produce the noise. It's unfortunate that the trail head signs don't mention this property. Both times, my group was the only one triggering the sounds of the dunes. Hole-in-the-wall rings trail is also quite a unique trail as it passes by wind-worn caves and a petroglyph, and ends at a set of steel rings for you to climb up (or down, depending on how you traverse the loop). I've never hiked such a unique trail before!

It's always been one of my favorite trails in Mt Charleston…read more Mary Jane's is listed as moderate hike and while it's true, it has some pretty steep hills, but the switchbacks are amazingly helpful. Definitely recommend going early in the morning so you can enjoy the cooler temperatures, instead of the hot sun later on. Make sure to bring plenty of drinking water and sunscreen! There is no drinking fountain anywhere on the trail. Also keep in mind, there isn't any restrooms on the hiking trails beside the very bottom at the beginning. The trail is very walkable but definitely no wheelchair accessible! We enjoyed the hike earlier this summer. There was still snow on the ground right across from us on the hillside. While we were hiking, there were beautiful wildflowers present on the ground. After the switchbacks, we had reached the waterfalls and immediately felt the refreshing smell in the air. The water was amazingly pleasant, washed our hands and enjoyed the beautiful views around us. Can't wait to go back again!

One of my favorite hikes in the Mt Charleston area. Mary Jane Falls is the ultimate desert escape…read more Just 45 minutes from Las Vegas, this hike trades heat and neon for cool mountain air, towering pines, and a steady uphill challenge. The switchbacks make you work for it, but the payoff is worth it -- a peaceful alpine waterfall that feels wildly out of place in the Mojave. Go early, bring water, and be ready to earn your views. Short, steep, and totally worth it.

Came here with our family and while the beach was surprisingly good sand and quite large, the beach…read morewas way too packed, and there were 14,000 jet skis running through the river. Many of them were docked right in the beach, resulting in a lot of people ripping through very closely to where people were swimming. Between that and the strong current, this was in my opinion not a very family friendly beach, at least for one with small children.

Big Bend is beautiful! Perfect place to spend the day with your family. There are a few rules one…read moreshould know before heading there which can be found on their website. The park has improved since our first visit about 3 summers ago. We come here at least once and we all enjoy it, we get there early morning and leave right before closing. I may add, if you go during the summer, you MUST wear sun protection and bring lots of water, the heat is no joke. The water is really cold which is refreshing on a hot summer day. The staff is very friendly and informative, also very helpful!! My tent blew away during a little windy moment and they helped me bring it back while also providing tips to prevent it from happening again. In the past, we had to get there before the park opened to secure a spot and once capacity was met they didn't allow anyone to enter. This was tough since there were a couple times we didn't make it on time and had to go elsewhere. Now, things have changed, which is a lot more convenient. They only allow the people that have reserved online go in from 7am-11:30am. If you DO NOT have reservations, you will NOT be allowed in before 11:30. At 11:30 they will only allow you in if they haven't reached capacity and it's first come first serve. If you did RSVP and make it after 11:30am, you risk losing your spot since general people will be allowed in at that time.

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!

Hubby just bought a new 4WD car and wanted to go off roading, and the drive through Christmas Tree…read morePass came recommended as an easy one for beginners. I'd agree with that assessment. I would say anyone with a 4WD vehicle could easily handle the well-manicured dirt roads. The drive took us about 45 minutes with LOTS of stops to take photos, walk around, and enjoy the desert landscapes. It was very peaceful and quiet, and we only passed one other vehicle the entire time we were driving! It's free, clean, and fun, and you can't ask for more than that! The landscape is (obviously) dry desert, with pretty rocks and flora and fauna. We saw plenty of lizards, birds, chipmunk looking things, and a couple of snakes, so be alert and respect the wildlife! Don't pick anything and don't harrass anything. We drove in early July, when the temperatures were over 110. We brought plenty of water "just in case," and there are several areas where you can wander off on foot (but again, watch for snakes)! I was impressed with how clean it was along the Pass, I did not see one piece of trash anywhere! The roads are graded but the sand gets a bit deep in a few places, where we slid a little while driving. It was fun because the road is very wide with plenty of room. At one end of the Pass, there's an area with well preserved petroglyphs. It does require a bit of a hike which isn't that far distance-wise, but it's in deep sand that's difficult to walk through (especially when the temps are high). I made it maybe a third of the way and turned back. I'll try again in the fall or winter. There's a hole-in-the-ground toilet facility by the petroglyphs if you need it. I am not outdoorsy in the least, but I had a really fun time riding along on this drive. If you're traveling between Las Vegas and Laughlin, it's a fun little "cut through" to get through the desert. Highly recommended.

2/24/2025 If you think you're going to see a bunch of…read moreChristmas decorations on this bumpy off-road trip, forget about it! We should've stopped to see the petroglyphs, that would've been the highlight on this frustrating journey. There was one chubby bush with hardly any Christmas decorations probably about halfway into the drive. Not worth the long road trip. The weather was perfect, but I sure wouldn't do it again.