Yes, there is more in Nevada than casinos – some would say many healthier places to spend your time. And during the next two weekends these places are FREE to enjoy.
In celebration of National Park Week, the National Park Service will offer free admission to national parks all over the US on the weekends of April 15-16 and 22-23. National parks in Nevada include Great Basin, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument. Not terribly far away there are choices in Utah, California, and Arizona. Click here to find a list of national parks near you.
Red Rock Canyon, near Las Vegas, is not exactly a “national park” but a National Conservation Area. However sometimes there is free admission there in conjunction with national park promotions. I haven’t been able to find out if that is the case for the above-mentioned dates. I’ll let you know if I find out this information closer to the time.
I have heard that sometime this year the Lifetime National Park Seniors pass will increase to $80.00, does not seem fair!
The downside of this is that the parks are MOBBED on those weekends. Additionally, it’s more or less high season at Zion, Grand Canyon South Rim, and other parks in the vicinity. It’s very hard to find a room anywhere near Zion; Hurricane is super-convenient to the park but expensive and always booked up. St. George is probably the best bet, but it can fill up as well. Less viable options are Mesquite and Cedar City.
Anyone intending to camp is probably SOL, as the facilities are limited and fill up fast. So Zion is probably a viable day trip option, though a bit far away at almost three hours from Vegas, but overnights on those weekends in particular can be problematic. If you can, spending Saturday night in Panguitch and then seeing Bryce on Sunday night is possible.
I agree that now is the time to get outside. In a month or two, the desert parks will be infernos, just like Vegas. Unfortunately, everyone else feels the same way 🙁 and accommodations will be pretty pricey until Inferno Season.
If you are 62 or older you can get a lifetime National Park Senior pass for $10 (VERY frugal!).($20 online). This allows you and as many gambling cronies as you can fit in that rental limo….er…car, access to the parks and a surprising amount of other venues. Four people total if you are on foot. What a deal.