Red Rock Canyon

The little-known Red Rock Canyon is a protected conservation area to the West of the city along the edge of Summerlin. It’s actually the easternmost section of the Mojave desert, which means you can see much of the same wildlife, including bighorn sheep, wild burros, and (at the visitor center, or if you’re very lucky) desert tortoises. There’s plenty of hiking and exploring to be done, but it’s also a popular local spot for mountain biking and rock climbing. Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, located in the center of the conservation area, is home to a history-filled ranch house which, unsurprisingly, was home to several famous residents. The desert can get crazy hot in the summer, so this is definitely more of a winter destination.