United States Nevada Driving Distance and Times From Las Vegas to Nearby National Parks By Lauren Himiak Lauren Himiak Lauren Himiak is a freelance writer and editor, and has visited all 62 national parks in the United States. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 06/26/19 Stephen Yelverton Photography/Getty Images Lost your money at the slots? Partied too hard at the clubs? Whatever your reason for getting out of Las Vegas, there are plenty of national parks to get away to. Check out driving distances and approximate drive times and plan on a day trip—or a few days away to recover from a city that never sleeps. 01 of 10 Arches National Park TripSavvy / Alisha McDarris Distance: 471–523 milesApproximate time: 7.25–9.75 hours, depending on the route Arches contain some of the country’s most amazing natural wonders—mammoth rocks and arches formed from erosion. Perhaps one of the most important facts about Arches is that the park is constantly evolving. In the past 30 years, two major collapses have occurred: A major piece of Landscape Arch in 1991, and Wall Arch in 2008. Both serve as reminders that these structures will not last forever—all the more reason to visit soon. Driving directions from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Arches National Parks, Utah 02 of 10 Bryce Canyon National Park Lauren Himiak Distance: 264 milesApproximate time: 4.5 hours No other national park showcases what natural erosion can build like Bryce Canyon National Park does. Giant sandstone creations, known as hoodoos, attract more than 1 million visitors annually. Many people take to the trails, choosing hiking and horseback riding to get an up-close-and-personal look at stunning fluted walls and sculptured pinnacles. Driving directions from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah 03 of 10 Canyonlands National Park TripSavvy / Alisha McDarris Distance: 545–582 milesApproximate time: 9–10 hours In this geological wonderland, rocks, spires, and mesas dominate the heart of the Colorado Plateau cut by canyons of the Green and Colorado rivers. Petroglyphs left by Native Americans hundreds of years ago are also present. The Colorado and Green rivers divide the park into four districts: the Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze, and the rivers themselves. While the districts share a primitive desert atmosphere, each retains its own character and offers different opportunities for exploration and the study of natural and cultural history. Driving directions from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Canyonlands National Park, Utah 04 of 10 Capitol Reef National Park marcoisler / Getty Images Distance: 368 milesApproximate time: 6 hours The 241,904-acre park in south-central Utah draws more than half a million visitors per year. It protects the Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile long warp in the Earth's crust, as well as the unique historical and cultural history of the area. Driving directions from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Capitol Reef National Park, Utah Continue to 5 of 10 below. 05 of 10 Death Valley National Park Shayan / Flickr / CC BY 2.0 Distance: 127–145 milesApproximate time: 2.5 hours Death Valley is the largest national park unit outside of Alaska and includes more than 3 million acres of wilderness area. This large desert, nearly surrounded by high mountains, contains the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere. The area includes Scotty's Castle, the grandiose home of a famous prospector, and other remnants of gold and borax mining. Driving directions from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Death Valley National Park, Utah 06 of 10 Grand Canyon National Park TripSavvy / Alisha McDarris North Rim:Distance: 264 milesApproximate time: 5 hours South Rim:Distance: 252–271 milesApproximate time: 4.5 hours About 5 million people visit Grand Canyon National Park each year, and it comes as no surprise why. The main attraction, Grand Canyon, is a mammoth gorge stretching 277 miles and showcasing amazing depths of colorful geology. It boasts some of the nation's cleanest air, and a great deal of the park's 1,904 square miles are maintained as wilderness. Visitors cannot help but be blown away by stunning views from almost any vantage point. Driving directions from Las Vegas, Nevada, to the north rim of Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona Driving directions from Las Vegas, Nevada, to the south rim of Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona 07 of 10 Great Basin National Park Alaskan Dude / Flickr/ CC BY 2.0 Distance: 291–391 milesApproximate time: 4.5–5.5 hours This 77,180-acre Nevada park draws only about 80,000 visitors a year, making it one of the least visited of the U.S. national parks. Among its natural features are streams; lakes; abundant wildlife; a variety of forest types, including groves of ancient bristlecone pines; and numerous limestone caverns, including Lehman Caves. Driving directions from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Great Basin National Park, Nevada 08 of 10 Joshua Tree National Park TripSavvy / Chris VR Distance: 184–254 milesApproximate time: 3–4 hours The 1,017,748-acre park draws more than 1.3 million visitors per year. Few areas more vividly illustrate the contrast between high and low desert. Driving directions from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Joshua Tree National Park, California Continue to 9 of 10 below. 09 of 10 Yosemite National Park jp2pix.com / Getty Images June through October, conditions permitting:Distance: 487–501 milesApproximate time: 8–10 hours November through May:Distance: 488 milesApproximate time: 8.25 hours Yosemite is home to some of the nation's most spectacular waterfalls, meadows, and ancient sequoia trees. Within its 1,200 miles of wilderness, visitors can find everything nature defines as beauty—wildflowers, animals grazing, crystal-clear lakes, and amazing domes and pinnacles of granite. Driving directions from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Yosemite National Park, California Alternative (winter) driving directions from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Yosemite National Park, California 10 of 10 Zion National Park TripSavvy / Lauren Breedlove Distance: 166 milesApproximate time: 3.25 hours Located in Utah's high plateau country, the Virgin River has carved a gorge so deep that sunlight rarely reaches the bottom. The canyon is wide and completely stunning, with sheer cliffs dropping some 3,000 feet. Weathered sandstone shines red and white and creates amazing sculptured rocks, cliffs, peaks, and hanging valleys. Driving directions from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Zion National Park, Utah. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Share Pin Email