Beyond the Strip: Great Las Vegas Outdoor Activities
by: Jillian Scheeler
Las Vegas parks and recreation and Nevada National Parks
Las Vegas is known for its casinos, wild nightlife, gambling, girls and shows; but the greater Las Vegas area offers much more. From hiking, biking and horseback riding to amazing Nevada National Parks, lakes and canyons, the Las Vegas area is a recreational playground. Whether you have an afternoon to spare or a weekend, there are plenty of Las Vegas outdoor activities for everyone. After spending the week drinking and gambling in dark casinos, a little exercise and sunshine can do you some good and Nevada National Parks will offer just that.
Red Rock Canyon
Only 20 miles from downtown Las Vegas, the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area covers nearly 200,000 acres of multicolored sandstone and limestone, canyons, mountains, washes and waterfalls, a variety of desert flora and fauna, and wildlife, including bobcats, desert bighorn sheep and wild burros. I don't know how "wild" the burros actually are though. While hiking, biking, rock climbing and seasonal camping is offered, the most popular choice is the 13-mile scenic drive through the park. Whether you spend the afternoon or weekend, Red Rock Canyon offers up natural scenic beauty and is worth the visit.
Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam
Lake Mead is the perfect place to cool off from the summer heat. Located 25 miles east of Vegas, the Lake Mead National Recreation Area has about 1.5 million acres of desert land and clear water, with 550 miles of shoreline for swimming, boating, sunbathing, water skiing and fishing. Other activities include hiking, camping, horseback riding, roadside sightseeing and wildlife photography. Lake Mead wildlife include bighorn sheep, mule deer, coyotes, kit foxes, bobcats, ringtail cats, jack rabbits and the endangered desert tortoise and peregrine falcons. The amazing Hoover Dam is also nearby with daily tours.
Valley of Fire
Located only six miles from Lake Mead and 55 miles from Las Vegas, the Valley of Fire is Nevada's first state park and its largest. This Nevada National Park is named for its fiery sandstone formations of reds, purples, tans, whites, oranges and yellows, which were formed from shifting sand dunes, years of erosion, wind and climate. Although the geology is similar to Red Rock, the park also offers early Native American culture and their rock art and petroglyphs are found throughout the area. The area was frequently visited by the ancient Basket Makers and Anasazi, who used the area for hunting and religious ceremonies. A popular scenic drive is around the "White Domes." For recreational activities there is climbing, picnicking, camping and rock scrambling.
Mount Charleston
Get away from the slots and visit Mt. Charleston for fresh air, amazing views and majestic mountain scenery and wildlife.
Only 35 miles from Vegas, Mt. Charleston Recreation Area is a welcome relief from not only the city bustle, but the stifling desert heat during the summer. At an elevation of 11,918 feet, Mount Charleston is the third highest peak in Nevada.
The recreation area offers 180 campsites, 150 picnic sites, hiking, biking, picnicking, horseback riding, skiing and snowboarding.
Zion and Bryce Canyons
If you're feeling a bit adventurous, cross the border to Utah and visit Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park.
Zion has everything from amazing river carved canyons to scenic waterfalls. The area also has amazing wildlife consisting of 75 mammal species, including mountain lions and mule deer to hundreds of bird varieties and 32 reptiles and amphibians. An hour further away from the 2 ? hour drive to Zion, Bryce Canyon is a geologic wonder of colorful limestone, with thousands of arches, spires and mazes. Don't miss the Grand Staircase, which is a series of colored sandstone cliffs, stretching from Bryce Canyons to the Grand Canyon.
Recreational opportunities include camping, biking, backpacking, cayoneering, climbing, swimming and tubing.
Grand Canyon
Depending on which rim of the Grand Canyon you venture to, it will be a good day's drive from Las Vegas, but well worth the visit. Carved over millennia through the rocks of the Colorado Plateau, the Grand Canyon never ceases to be awe- inspiring, with its beauty and size. If the scenic views aren't enough, there's hiking, backpacking, biking, bird watching, boating, camping, cross country skiing, fishing, horseback riding, nature walks and more.
About The Author
Jillian Scheeler is a spontaneous road-tripper and avid writer working on assignment for Travel Post - The Premier Source for Unbiased Hotel Reviews and Ratings. This article can be reprinted freely as long as all links remain active.
Showing posts with label outdoor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label outdoor. Show all posts
Friday, June 8, 2007
Thursday, June 7, 2007
New Jersey Camping & You: Perfect Together
New Jersey Camping & You: Perfect Together
by: Eric Stephenson
Why the heck would I want to go camping in New Jersey?
I get asked that question just about every single day and I'm pretty tired of it after all these years. So I'm going to answer that question right here for the last time.
There are literally hundreds of reasons to go camping in New Jersey, but there is one large, and I mean really large, reason:
Where else in the country can you drive less then 3 hours and go from the mountains, to the shore, to the marshlands, to 3 different major metropolitan areas to several major lakes and everywhere in between?
Camping in New Jersey is literally the best of all worlds. There is just about nothing you cannot do while you camp in New Jersey. You have your choice of over 120 campgrounds and State Park facilities to choose from not to mention thousands of acres of public land to explore.
Just about every one of the privates campgrounds in the state have craft activities, pools, fishing ponds, sports activities and so many other amenities I can't even count. Most of them are clean, modern and well suited to just about any type of camping. They are all within a decent driving distance of dozens of cultural, sports, historical, recreational and children related attractions.
Canoeing, hiking, biking, birding and unlimited recreation activities can also be found at campgrounds around the state and many sites are within a short drive of some of the state's premium attractions and fabulous Atlantic Ocean beaches and boardwalks.
New Jersey is literally a kaleidoscope of natural, picturesque landscapes filled with some of the best and exciting camping experiences anywhere in the Northeast part of the country. Personally I think camping here in New Jersey is as good, if not better, then just about anywhere in the country.
More than 25,000 sites/cabins/yurts/rental trailers await your visit, sites of all shapes and sizes that can accommodate campers with everything from tent sites to pop-ups to fully equipped RVs.
From the Delaware Water Gap to a view of the Statue of Liberty to wooded campgrounds in the Pine Barrens to the sandy beaches of the Jersey Shore, the ideal camping experience is close at hand.
No matter what type of camping you choose, tenting, RVing or cabin rentals, New Jersey has something for you. Pick a region to begin investigating where you want to camp:
Atlantic - It's no wonder the Atlantic Region is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Atlantic City and its world-famous beach and boardwalk, luxurious casino, non-stop gaming action, the hottest entertainers, the best in dining, and quality sporting events. New Jersey Camping in the Atlantic Region gives you access to this great area!
Delaware - It's where history was made. And where nature rules. It's where the arts come alive and stately mansions reign. New Jersey's Delaware River Region is all of these and more. It's a unique region that can provide you with many things to do and see on your next vacation. New Jersey Camping and you, perfect together!
Gateway - Live with action, the Gateway Region has everything for your perfect vacation including New Jersey Camping activities, New Jersey State Parks and New Jersey Campgrounds.
Shore - Mention the Shore Region, and certain images immediately come to mind: more than 60 miles of pristine beaches from Sandy Hook down to Holgate; surfcasting off Seaside Park; perhaps some bodysurfing off Bay Head; or maybe a moonlit walk in Surf City. Anything you want can be found in New Jersey Camping.
Skylands - Gentle mountains. Skiing. Rock climbing. Horseback riding.Would you believe you're in New Jersey? New Jersey Camping and you, perfect together!
Southern Shore - Walk along 30 miles of wide sandy beaches. Experience the warmth of a Victorian inn. Take a stroll through history or enjoy the fresh bounty of the sea at a gourmet restaurant. New Jersey Camping offers a wide variety of ways to take advantage of this area.
So, whether it's a cabin by a lakeshore, an RV minutes from the Statue of Liberty or just a sleeping bag amidst the rugged mountain wilderness, New Jersey Camping is perfect for you.
About The Author
Eric Stephenson is an avid camper and publisher of New Jersey Camping Information where you can get all the information you will ever need about camping in New Jersey as well as information about camping and the latest technologies and products related to camping. This article is copyrighted. It may be reproduced only if the hyperlinks here are left intact.
by: Eric Stephenson
Why the heck would I want to go camping in New Jersey?
I get asked that question just about every single day and I'm pretty tired of it after all these years. So I'm going to answer that question right here for the last time.
There are literally hundreds of reasons to go camping in New Jersey, but there is one large, and I mean really large, reason:
Where else in the country can you drive less then 3 hours and go from the mountains, to the shore, to the marshlands, to 3 different major metropolitan areas to several major lakes and everywhere in between?
Camping in New Jersey is literally the best of all worlds. There is just about nothing you cannot do while you camp in New Jersey. You have your choice of over 120 campgrounds and State Park facilities to choose from not to mention thousands of acres of public land to explore.
Just about every one of the privates campgrounds in the state have craft activities, pools, fishing ponds, sports activities and so many other amenities I can't even count. Most of them are clean, modern and well suited to just about any type of camping. They are all within a decent driving distance of dozens of cultural, sports, historical, recreational and children related attractions.
Canoeing, hiking, biking, birding and unlimited recreation activities can also be found at campgrounds around the state and many sites are within a short drive of some of the state's premium attractions and fabulous Atlantic Ocean beaches and boardwalks.
New Jersey is literally a kaleidoscope of natural, picturesque landscapes filled with some of the best and exciting camping experiences anywhere in the Northeast part of the country. Personally I think camping here in New Jersey is as good, if not better, then just about anywhere in the country.
More than 25,000 sites/cabins/yurts/rental trailers await your visit, sites of all shapes and sizes that can accommodate campers with everything from tent sites to pop-ups to fully equipped RVs.
From the Delaware Water Gap to a view of the Statue of Liberty to wooded campgrounds in the Pine Barrens to the sandy beaches of the Jersey Shore, the ideal camping experience is close at hand.
No matter what type of camping you choose, tenting, RVing or cabin rentals, New Jersey has something for you. Pick a region to begin investigating where you want to camp:
Atlantic - It's no wonder the Atlantic Region is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Atlantic City and its world-famous beach and boardwalk, luxurious casino, non-stop gaming action, the hottest entertainers, the best in dining, and quality sporting events. New Jersey Camping in the Atlantic Region gives you access to this great area!
Delaware - It's where history was made. And where nature rules. It's where the arts come alive and stately mansions reign. New Jersey's Delaware River Region is all of these and more. It's a unique region that can provide you with many things to do and see on your next vacation. New Jersey Camping and you, perfect together!
Gateway - Live with action, the Gateway Region has everything for your perfect vacation including New Jersey Camping activities, New Jersey State Parks and New Jersey Campgrounds.
Shore - Mention the Shore Region, and certain images immediately come to mind: more than 60 miles of pristine beaches from Sandy Hook down to Holgate; surfcasting off Seaside Park; perhaps some bodysurfing off Bay Head; or maybe a moonlit walk in Surf City. Anything you want can be found in New Jersey Camping.
Skylands - Gentle mountains. Skiing. Rock climbing. Horseback riding.Would you believe you're in New Jersey? New Jersey Camping and you, perfect together!
Southern Shore - Walk along 30 miles of wide sandy beaches. Experience the warmth of a Victorian inn. Take a stroll through history or enjoy the fresh bounty of the sea at a gourmet restaurant. New Jersey Camping offers a wide variety of ways to take advantage of this area.
So, whether it's a cabin by a lakeshore, an RV minutes from the Statue of Liberty or just a sleeping bag amidst the rugged mountain wilderness, New Jersey Camping is perfect for you.
About The Author
Eric Stephenson is an avid camper and publisher of New Jersey Camping Information where you can get all the information you will ever need about camping in New Jersey as well as information about camping and the latest technologies and products related to camping. This article is copyrighted. It may be reproduced only if the hyperlinks here are left intact.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Visit Extreme Rugged Remote Parashant Canyon National Monument
Visit Extreme Rugged Remote Parashant Canyon National Monument
by: Bob Therrien
Grand Canyon Parashant Canyon National Monument is not as well known as it’s bigger sister next door. On January 11, 2000, President Bill Clinton established the 1.1-million-acre Monument. This vast monument protects much of the Shivwits Plateau. The Shivwits is ecologically unique because it's where the Sonoran, Great Basin, and Mojave Deserts intersect. This region is a wildlife habitat for several endangered or threatened species. California condors, desert tortoises, willow flycatchers, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn antelope call this area home.
This is a very remote and undeveloped Monument. Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument is located in northwest Arizona, bordered by the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon National Park to the south and east, Nevada and Lake Mead to the west. Many people fly into Las Vegas as a Hub, and plan their visit from there.
The Monument information center is located in the lobby of the BLM Office in St. George, Utah. The address is 345 E. Riverside Drive, St. George, Utah, 84790. There you will find maps, field guides, books, and other items. Staff members are available to answer questions and provide safety information.
If you decide to add this to your adventure tours, here is the mileage from closest major cities: To Saint George from Las Vegas 118 miles, 190 km, From Phoenix 435 miles, 700 km, From Denver 631 miles, 1015 km.
There are only two semi-maintained trails in the Monument – Mt. Trumbull and Mt. Dellenbaugh. All other hiking is on unmarked routes or requires bushwhacking through dense brush or rugged terrain. Grand Canyon Parashant provides a sense of solitude to those who trek into its isolated areas. Located on the edge of the Grand Canyon, the Monument's expansive landscape showcases both natural and cultural history.
Of the points of interest in the Monument, here are the ones that the Bureau of Land Management point out:
• Virgin River Gorge Campground
• Condor Release Viewing Site
• Pakoon Springs
• Mt Trumbull Schoolhouse
• Sawmill Historic Site
• Witch’s Point
• Uinkaret Pueblo
• Nampaweap Petroglyph Site
• Tuweep Ranger Station
• Toroweap Campground
• Toroweap Overlook
• Tassi Spring
• Pearce Ferry Campground
• Pearce Ferry
To travel here, you must use caution, as it is off the beaten track. You must have the appropriate maps to find your way to and around the Monument. There are entry roads from Nevada, Utah, and Arizona. Plan your entrance point by your travel route. There are no paved roads or visitor services within the Monument's million-plus acres, so visitors need to be prepared by traveling with an appropriate high-clearance vehicle equipped with two full-sized spare tires. Some content provided by The National Park Service and AZ BLM.
About The Author
Bob Therrien is a travel writer and has traveled all over North America. He currently operates the website at Parashant Canyon.
by: Bob Therrien
Grand Canyon Parashant Canyon National Monument is not as well known as it’s bigger sister next door. On January 11, 2000, President Bill Clinton established the 1.1-million-acre Monument. This vast monument protects much of the Shivwits Plateau. The Shivwits is ecologically unique because it's where the Sonoran, Great Basin, and Mojave Deserts intersect. This region is a wildlife habitat for several endangered or threatened species. California condors, desert tortoises, willow flycatchers, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn antelope call this area home.
This is a very remote and undeveloped Monument. Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument is located in northwest Arizona, bordered by the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon National Park to the south and east, Nevada and Lake Mead to the west. Many people fly into Las Vegas as a Hub, and plan their visit from there.
The Monument information center is located in the lobby of the BLM Office in St. George, Utah. The address is 345 E. Riverside Drive, St. George, Utah, 84790. There you will find maps, field guides, books, and other items. Staff members are available to answer questions and provide safety information.
If you decide to add this to your adventure tours, here is the mileage from closest major cities: To Saint George from Las Vegas 118 miles, 190 km, From Phoenix 435 miles, 700 km, From Denver 631 miles, 1015 km.
There are only two semi-maintained trails in the Monument – Mt. Trumbull and Mt. Dellenbaugh. All other hiking is on unmarked routes or requires bushwhacking through dense brush or rugged terrain. Grand Canyon Parashant provides a sense of solitude to those who trek into its isolated areas. Located on the edge of the Grand Canyon, the Monument's expansive landscape showcases both natural and cultural history.
Of the points of interest in the Monument, here are the ones that the Bureau of Land Management point out:
• Virgin River Gorge Campground
• Condor Release Viewing Site
• Pakoon Springs
• Mt Trumbull Schoolhouse
• Sawmill Historic Site
• Witch’s Point
• Uinkaret Pueblo
• Nampaweap Petroglyph Site
• Tuweep Ranger Station
• Toroweap Campground
• Toroweap Overlook
• Tassi Spring
• Pearce Ferry Campground
• Pearce Ferry
To travel here, you must use caution, as it is off the beaten track. You must have the appropriate maps to find your way to and around the Monument. There are entry roads from Nevada, Utah, and Arizona. Plan your entrance point by your travel route. There are no paved roads or visitor services within the Monument's million-plus acres, so visitors need to be prepared by traveling with an appropriate high-clearance vehicle equipped with two full-sized spare tires. Some content provided by The National Park Service and AZ BLM.
About The Author
Bob Therrien is a travel writer and has traveled all over North America. He currently operates the website at Parashant Canyon.
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