Rent a Car or Take Uber for Hiking around Las Vegas?

Some buddies of mine and I are having a birthday get together to celebrate a friend turning 50. In the 20+ years we've gone to Vegas, we've gotten pretty wild, but this year will be a new twist for me: I quit drinking over a year ago. Since then, I've also gone on a health kick to take better care of myself. I'd like to see some hikes near Vegas, since I never took the time to do them in the past. My question is this: Is renting a car my only option to get to some of the major hikes (I'm mostly thinking Red Rock, but I know there are other beautiful hikes relatively close) or would Uber be a better option? Are there tour groups or health clubs that take buses out to places that might be cheaper? Suggestions on close hikes that I should check out?

We'll state our opinion here, then let others weigh in on the rental-car question.

We believe that renting a car is the better option for accessing hikes around Las Vegas. Uber -- and the bus and Monorail and walking and even taxis -- is fine for short hops around the tourist corridor, but we'll always opt for our own car, even if we have to rent one, for getting out of town.

We got prices on Uber's fare estimator and the lowest for a ride from Caesars Palace to the Red Rock Visitor Center was around $30 one way (including a $4 tip). So you're already spending $60 just for a round-trip ride to one place and that doesn't include being dropped off at a suitable hike inside the park. Plus, who knows how long you might have to wait for the return trip, when you're tired and hungry and want to get to an eatery or back to your hotel?

For the same money, you can probably rent a car for a couple days and do at least two good hikes on your own schedule. For a little extra, rent for a third day and really get to know the local hiking opportunities.

Red Rock is a good place to start. Our book Hiking Las Vegas lists 46 hikes there in varying difficulties. If you just want to get out and scramble, pick any red-boulder hill and go.

To beat the Red Rock crowds and admission fee, turn off W. Charleston a couple miles before the entrance to the park on the road to Calico Basin (15 miles from the city on the right). A half-mile boardwalk protects the riparian environment and provides the easiest hiking you could hope for, complete with benches, interpretive signs, and petroglyphs. For a little more of a workout, pick up the Calico Basin Loop trail on the right side of the Red Spring parking lot.

A few miles beyond Red Rock is Spring Mountain Ranch State Park. This is another area to pick a direction and go; the park is 520 acres at the base of the Wilson Cliffs with plenty of places to explore. There are five loop trails from easy (a third of a mile) to less easy (a mile and a half). Spring Mountain Ranch State Park gets very little publicity in local-area travel publications, especially compared to places like Red Rock Canyon, Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, and the Grand Canyon. But it’s a spectacular natural area with a lot of history and great walks.

Hiking Las Vegas has 13 trails in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. These are pretty rugged with services far away, but you won't bump into too many people out there this month.

For our money, though, it's worth taking an hour's ride out to Valley of Fire State Park. This is one of the most scenic areas in all of Nevada and it's much more extensive and less crowded than Red Rock Canyon. The view from Rainbow Vista is worth the whole price of admission; Elephant Rock, the Beehives, Atlatl Rock, Seven Sisters, and the visitor center are great attractions. Mouse's Tank is an easy half-hour round-trip hike; Fire Wave and White Domes are a just a little longer. And if you have time, find out how to get to the unmarked Pink Canyon. It's just a short walk, but otherwordly in its beauty.

We hope this helps. Let us know how it all turns for you.

Do I need to rent a car to get to the best hikes around Las Vegas or will Uber suffice?

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tkh alaska Jan-12-2020

Travelling and Trekking

For sure, get a car.  I live at a trailhead and have hikers stopping at my house when their Uber doesn't show up or they discover they don't have cell phone service. Sounds like it will be the best economical choice as well.  We have been going to Vegas for years and usually get in a hike or two while we are there.  For our next trip- in one week- we are planning on doing the Historic Railroad Trail.

Don the Dentist Jan-12-2020

Valley of Fire

Have to agree. Red Rock is way too crowded anymore. VofF is great, a bit out of the way but worth it.

black jack Jan-12-2020

Mountain hikes

Mount Charleston is less than an hour away, and has quite a few great hikes. Bonus: It’s always much cooler at altitude, making even a July or August hike enjoyable. Definitely worth renting a car for this!

rokgpsman Jan-12-2020

Mt Charleston

I second the recommendation about the Mt Charleston area. It has a lot to offer for hikers, camping, sightseeing, even horseback riding. They have maps and info online. Might be better hiking in non-winter months, due to the high altitude they can get snowstorms and cold weather quickly. But the scenic views are wonderful, even just driving in the area is breathtaking. There are some cabins for rent and at least one motel lodge up there, plus some places to eat. Definitely worth visiting. Rental car is needed to get there and be sure the gas tank is full, getting there is kinda desolate and mountain driving doesn't get the best mpg (although on the way back you'll be coasting downhill a lot). Not that far from Vegas, maybe an hour to drive from the Strip. Nice place to visit in summer to escape the Vegas heat!

Kevin Rough Jan-12-2020

I always rent a car

We never stay just on the Strip on just downtown.  So it's nice to have a car.  On our last trip in December one day we drove to Laughlin and another day we drove to Death Valley.  If we want to  make some random trip like heading from Palms to Sam's Town, it's much easier to hop in the car and go than to find bus routes or find where Lyfts are allowed to pick up, go there, order, and wait.  I love the freedom that a car provides and am willing to pay for it.

Jim Veith Jan-12-2020

Best Bet

Visit BirdAndHike.com.

This is an incredible website for hundreds of hikes in 
the Las Vegas area. 

One of my absolute favorites is Arizona Hot Springs. 
It takes you down to the Colorado River near the
Dam. It is stunningly beautiful. Check it out.

Roger Gallizzi Jan-12-2020

Hiking in Las Vegas

Get the book!  It's great.  I bought multiple copies to give to friends who like to hike and visit Las Vegas.

Adam Cohen Jan-12-2020

Car Rental kind of

I have sworn off rental cars in Vegas and in most cities. But this is the exception. But maybe with a twist get a car at a hotel for the days you plan on going on the hikes and not for the whole trip. Depending on where you stay you might have to pay for parking if you rent for the whole trip and that will add to your cost. If you decide to Uber you can always schedule a return trip. I am not in shape for the big hikes but I love Red Rock.  It also just gives me a much-needed break if I am in Vegas for more than a few days.

[email protected] Jan-12-2020

Mt. C

All of the hikes you mention are good, but I have to agree with the poster who mentioned Mount Charleston.  There are some great hikes there, it's cooler, there is a neat little restaurant worth visiting, and the trip includes a drive through a Josua tree forest, which is really cool.  Highly recommended!

Boomer 55 Jan-13-2020

Get the rental, get the air

Nice answer, particularly mention of turnoffs near RRC. 
A car is necessary if you day hike using Vegas base camp. Wife and I have made high desert day hikes part of annual gaming trips for decades.  Recommendations: 1-Get Total Rewards visa and MLife master cards and use once a year to get player card upgrades and free parking at these lots; 2-Birders should not miss Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve. For small donation, arrangements for pro guide w scope will be made; 3-In summer amateur hikers should limit selves to Mt Charleston. Climate in other seasons allows RRC, VofF, LM day hikes. 4- Many movies have used VofF for its otherworldly and wild features from 60's to present. When you go, plan AROUND NASCAR events as traffic gets challenging.  5- Plan to work without cell phone service at all locales. If you have it, consider it a bonus.  At Mt Charleston a compass is particularly handy, and beginning with full tank necessary. 
In winter roads often close. Snowball fights among cactus

Jim Veith Jan-13-2020

Rural Cell Service Terrible

The answers don’t really discuss the main issue: cell service outside the urban area is terrible, so ride-hailing services can’t be used. In response to the problem, however, Red Rocks has recently set up free WiFi at the Visitor Center, so that is some bit of help, but only at the Visitor Center.

Diane Crosby Jan-13-2020

Hiking Vegas

We come to Vegas twice a year for business -- I shorten the August trip as much as possible for the heat, but I lengthen the January one to take advantage of all the great hiking! Yes, I play the slots and some Pai Gow and love to eat the buffets where I can make healthy choices, but people are always surprised when I saw my favorite thing to do in Vegas is hike!

Question of the Day - 12 January 2020

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