Nevada Tours an Vacation
There are so many exciting things to do in Nevada, that when planning your vacation, you may consider taking one of the many Nevada tours. How do you decide what type of tour to take? What’s your pleasure? There are Nevada tours for all tastes and all budgets.
If you are an independent traveler, you might choose one of the self guided Nevada tours. However, if you want the guidance of an expert on the area, you may want to consider one of the guided group Nevada tours. Another thing to consider is the type of vehicle you want to use when touring Nevada. You can explore by car, horseback, and bicycle or even by foot. If you want to travel back in time, some companies offer horse and buggy Nevada tours.
What is it about Nevada that you find interesting? Many people come for the landscape and unique desert geology. Others are drawn to the lure of the casinos. However, if you have always harbored a fascination for nuclear energy, you may want to check out the Nevada test site tour. The Nevada test site is a United States Department of Energy reservation. When it was established on January 11, 1951, it was known as the Nevada Proving Grounds. Located in Nye County, Nevada the Nevada test site is composed of close to 1,350 square miles of desert and mountains. Between the years 1951 and 1992, there were a total of 925 tests that were conducted at the Nevada test site. Throughout the 1950s, the mushroom clouds that occurred because of these tests could be seen for 100 miles in either direction of the test site. Ironically, the clouds themselves became major tourist attractions.
Today, it is possible to take a Nevada test site tour. If you are interested in the history of nuclear testing, this can well be the highlight of your Nevada vacation. The Nevada test site tour usually begins at the Atomic Testing Museum. The tour is conducted on a rest room equipped chartered bus. Keep in mind that you entering a restricted access government reservation. So you will need to apply in advance for your Nevada test site tour. You will need to supply your social security number, date and place of birth, hone address, employer and citizenship. Cell phones, cameras, firearms and laptops are not permitted during the Nevada test site tour.
If the Nevada test site tour sounds a bit too intellectual for a Nevada vacation, you may want to consider one of the exciting Las Vegas tours. Why would anyone be interested in Las Vegas tours? There are so many clubs, hotels and shows in Las Vegas, that it’s sometimes difficult to figure out which ones are worth visiting. Perhaps you are excited about the Vegas club life, but not too excited about the lines at the clubs. There are some Las Vegas tours that feature VIP hosts who will walk you past the lines!
Since you are close enough to Arizona, you should think about taking an exciting Las Vegas Grand Canyon tour. Some of these tours even include the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. You can take a Las Vegas Grand Canyon tour by helicopter, hummer or bus.
Hiking or Driving in Red Rock Provides Unique Desert Experience
Hike this area and view the unique geologic features, plants and animals that represent some of the best examples of the Mojave Desert. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (NCA) is located 15 minutes west of Las Vegas, Nevada. Designated as an NCA in 1990, there are 19 different stops along the scenic loop drive. Featured here are the nine stops that make up the second half of the loop drive, along with level of difficulty and estimated hiking time. Choose one or more to explore based on time constraints and fitness levels. These stops on the loop drive include viewing highlights, degree of difficulty and estimated round-trip hiking times.
SMYC
Access this trail from either Lost Creek or Ice Box Canyon trails. The trail follows the terrain at the base of the steep slope and connects the two trails. Moderate. 2 hours; 2.2 miles.
Ice Box Canyon
Proceed to Mile 8 to access the parking lot for this trail. The trail crosses open desert before it enters the canyon. The trails are unimproved and may require some rock scrambling. Highlights include seasonal waterfalls (January – March). Moderate. 2 hours; 2.6 miles.
Dale’s
Trail access can be found either at Ice Box Canyon or Pine Creek Canyon. The trail follows the terrain at the base of the steep slope and connects the two trails. Moderate. 2.5 hours; 4.4 miles.
Pine Creek Canyon
This trail has its own parking lot accessed from the Loop Drive. The trail traverses across the open desert, past an old homestead site and on into the canyon. Highlights include seasonal waterfalls. Unimproved trails within the canyon may require some tricky rock scrambling. Easy to Moderate. 2 hours; 3 miles.
Fire Ecology
Branching off Pine Creek Canyon Trail, this short, figure eight trail winds through a stand of Ponderosa Pine where a controlled burn had taken place. Easy. 55 minutes; .75 miles.
Oak Creek Canyon
Access via a dirt road from the Oak Creek Turnoff from the 13-mile Scenic Drive. Also accessible from State Route 159. The trails heads through open desert and on into the mouth of the canyon. Caution is recommended here as unimproved trails lead deep into the canyon. Easy to Moderate. 1.5 hours; 2 miles.
Arnight Trail
This trail can begin at the Oak Creek Canyon parking lot or by hiking the Pine Creek Canyon Trail. The trail actually connects the Oak Creek parking lot with the end loop of the Pine Creek Canyon Trail. Moderate. 1.5 hours; 2.4 miles.
Knoll Trail
The best way to access this trail is via the Oak Creek Canyon Trail. The trail links the upper section of the Arnight Trail with the Oak Creek Canyon Trail and follows the base of the steep slope. Moderate. 2.5 hours; 3

