Best Family Hikes
in Las Vegas
9 real trails. Honest ratings. Local tips for hiking with kids in the desert.
Las Vegas is surrounded by some of the most dramatic hiking terrain in the country — red sandstone canyons, mountain pine forests, ancient volcanic landscapes, and lake cliffs — all within an hour of the Strip. The challenge is figuring out which trails work with kids.
This guide covers 9 trails we actually recommend to Las Vegas families, organized by difficulty. Each one has been assessed for kid-friendliness, not just adult hikers.
Desert Heat Warning — Read This First
- • Summer (May–Sept): Go before 8am or don't go. Temperatures above 100°F are deadly for kids on exposed trails.
- • Bring twice the water you think you need. A family of 4 should carry at least 6–8 liters on any trail without fountains.
- • Start driving home if anyone shows signs of heat exhaustion — dizziness, confusion, stopping sweating.
- • The best desert hiking for families is October through April, any time of day.
Easy Hikes
Toddler & stroller friendly · Flat terrain · Low exertion
Clark County Wetlands Park
One of the best-kept secrets for Las Vegas families. Paved and boardwalk paths wind through wetlands along the Las Vegas Wash, with cottonwood trees providing real shade (rare in the desert). The Nature Center is free, air-conditioned, and genuinely engaging for little ones.
Local tip: The Nature Center has free exhibits with live tortoise and fish tanks — kids love it even on hot days.
Springs Preserve Trails
The Springs Preserve is where Las Vegas's original water source used to bubble up. The interpretive trails wind through authentic Mojave desert gardens with signage designed for kids. Not a wilderness hike — more of a curated outdoor learning experience, but genuinely excellent for families.
Local tip: Buy a family membership — it pays for itself in 2 visits and gets you into the Nevada State Museum too.
Cornerstone Park
Not a wilderness trail, but a fantastic family outing. Flat paved paths loop around a scenic lake with ducks and fountains. Playgrounds, picnic areas, and a splash pad make it easy to turn a short walk into a half-day family hang. Perfect when you want the outdoor feeling without the heat stress.
Local tip: Bring bread for the ducks. There's a splash pad area near the playground — pack a swimsuit in summer.
Moderate Hikes
Ages 5+ · Some terrain variation · Short distances
Lost Creek Trail
A short, rewarding loop that packs a lot in: towering sandstone walls, desert scrub, and a seasonal waterfall at the end. The scrambling is minimal enough for young kids but exciting enough that they won't complain. One of the most popular family hikes at Red Rock for good reason.
The canyon walls close in on both sides — it feels like an adventure movie set.
Local tip: Visit January–March for the best chance at a flowing waterfall. By late spring it's often dry.
Calico Tanks Trail
The payoff at the top — a sweeping view over Las Vegas with the Strip in the distance — makes this one of the most dramatic family hikes near the city. There's real scrambling involved over red sandstone boulders. Kids who like to climb will absolutely love it. Start early; the exposed sections get brutal by 9am in summer.
The scrambling over boulders near the top is the highlight — kids will feel like they conquered something.
Local tip: The "tanks" are natural rock basins that hold rainwater — after rain, they're full. Bring twice the water you think you need.
Historic Railroad Trail
Built in the 1930s to supply Hoover Dam materials, this flat, wide trail follows the old railroad grade along the cliffs above Lake Mead. The scenery is stunning, but the real draw for families is the five railroad tunnels carved through the rock. Even reluctant hikers will run toward the tunnels.
Five old railroad tunnels cut through the rock. Kids go absolutely wild running through them — it's legitimately one of the coolest things to do with kids near Vegas.
Local tip: You don't have to do the full 3.7 miles. Turn around at tunnel #1 for a shorter 1.5-mile out-and-back that still hits the best part.
Bigger Adventures
Ages 7–8+ · Elevation gain or remote locations · Worth every bit of effort
Mary Jane Falls
When Las Vegas hits 110°F, families drive 45 minutes to the Spring Mountains. Mary Jane Falls is a legitimate mountain hike — ponderosa pines, cooler air, real elevation gain — ending at a waterfall carved into the limestone cliff. The steeper sections are manageable for confident 7–8 year olds. A completely different world from the valley floor.
The trail ends at an actual waterfall tucked into the mountain. In spring, it roars. In summer, it's a trickle — but still worth every step.
Local tip: Mt. Charleston is typically 30°F cooler than the valley. On a 105° Vegas day, you're hiking in 75°F. It's a completely different climate.
Cathedral Rock Trail
Cathedral Rock offers the best views of the Spring Mountains and, on clear days, the Las Vegas Valley far below. The trail winds through genuine pine forest — a jarring contrast to the desert. Steeper and more exposed than Mary Jane Falls, this one is for older kids or strong younger hikers. The summit views are spectacular.
Walking through a dense pine forest when it's 108°F in Vegas feels surreal. Kids will keep saying "it doesn't feel like Las Vegas."
Local tip: The last 0.5 miles has some exposed sections with big drop-offs — keep younger kids close and hold hands on the final push.
White Domes Trail
The most photogenic hike near Las Vegas. The White Domes trail loops through a slot canyon with blazing orange and red sandstone walls before opening into a colorful badlands landscape. It's short, but the terrain is rugged and the heat exposure is severe. The slot canyon section is genuinely extraordinary — kids who've been there still talk about it years later. Go early or go in winter.
The slot canyon section — where walls close in and glow orange — is straight out of a movie. Worth the entire 75-minute drive.
Local tip: Valley of Fire is an hour from Vegas. Go in winter if you can — the colors in the golden light are otherworldly. Summer only if you're there by 7am.
What to Bring on Every Hike
Quick Comparison
| Trail | Level | Distance | Cost | Stroller |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clark County Wetlands Park | Easy | 1–4 miles (choose your loop) | Free | |
| Springs Preserve Trails | Easy | 0.5–2 miles of interpretive paths | Admission required (~$12 adults, $6 kids) | |
| Cornerstone Park | Easy | 1–2 miles around the lake | Free | |
| Lost Creek Trail | Moderate | 1 mile loop | $15/vehicle park entry | |
| Calico Tanks Trail | Moderate | 2.5 miles round trip | $15/vehicle park entry | |
| Historic Railroad Trail | Moderate | 3.7 miles one way (or go as far as you like) | $25/vehicle for Lake Mead (annual pass accepted) | |
| Mary Jane Falls | Challenging | 2.6 miles round trip | Free (Adventure Pass may be required for parking) | |
| Cathedral Rock Trail | Challenging | 2.7 miles round trip | Free (Adventure Pass may be required for parking) | |
| White Domes Trail | Challenging | 1.25 miles loop | $10/vehicle Nevada resident, $15 non-resident |
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