A Bikers Guide to Las Vegas

“Vegas isn’t a city, it’s its own magical world.” – Unknown

Bright neon lights. A bustling world-famous Strip, filled with casinos, hotels, attractions and restaurants. A free performance like no other, where more than 1,000 fountains at the Bellagio sway along to music, mesmerizing its admirers. Grand towering hotels are so big that you could get lost in them.

Walking through Las Vegas for the first time, I felt like I was having an out-of-body experience. There’s something that excites, that makes you feel engerized and truly alive.

Clodagh Dooley, Travel writer

Las Vegas is well-known for being the entertainment capital of the world – the city that never sleeps or, as people so often nickname it, ‘Sin City’. It’s one of the world’s most-visited tourist destinations. In 2022, 38.8 million people visited Las Vegas, a 20.5% increase from the 32.2 million visitors in 2021.

 

But there’s much more to Vegas than the bright, colorful lights of the Strip. Particularly outside the city itself, where the landscape is made up of unique red rock formations and miles of sand dunes, surrounded by the Mojave Desert.

Las Vegas is also a motorcyclist’s paradise. From Hoover Dam to Red Rock Canyon, there are plenty of options to rip the throttle and set forth on a day trip!

Greg Bennett, an avid Harley-Davidson rider and the morning meteorologist on KTNV’s Good Morning Las Vegas newscast, recommends a trip to Boulder City, just 40 minutes from Las Vegas. “Take the 215 east and take the exit for the Boulder City Highway. Follow the highway right into the city. The ride is smooth and fast-paced until about a mile out from the city.

“Boulder City reminds me of the little towns seen in the movies! From old 50s diners and hotels to little quaint shops and restaurants. This place seemed to be lost in time to a decade, long forgotten.

“I loved riding through town, but getting off the bike and exploring by foot was the way to go. I found a spot to dismount and walked the streets. Each shop has its own character. Antiques, homemade ice cream parlors, candy stores complete with a coin-operated fortune teller!”

Greg Bennett, Good Morning Las Vegas newscast

 

Here are five excellent motorcycle roads near Las Vegas to check out:

 

1. Red Rock Canyon

Just 30 minutes outside of Las Vegas, the Red Rock Canyon beckons motorcycle enthusiasts with its awe-inspiring beauty and exhilarating roads. As Nevada’s first National Conservation Area, it is popular with hikers, bikers and drivers all enjoying its scenic, 13-mile one-way loop road. With twists and loops all around the park, you’ll be treated to a delightful ride and great views.

In addition to fantastic scenery, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area offers some of the best hiking and outdoor recreation activities in the region. Read more about the Red Rock Canyon here.

2. Valley of Fire

The Valley of Fire State Park is a mesmerizing wilderness area, having earned its name due to the fiery red color of its sandstone rock. When the rays of the sun hit the rocks, it can often look like they are ablaze! It is a true natural playground for motorcycle riders, with easily accessible, well-maintained roads, as well as sweeping curves. Follow the Valley of Fire Highway to get to the Park, which takes just over an hour. If traveling between May and September, make sure to bring loads of water, as it gets extremely hot. Local riders recommend riding this route early in the morning.

3. Lake Mead National Recreation Area

The roads around Lake Mead offer some of the best motorcycle riding near Las Vegas. Paved roads wind through mountains, desert basins and canyons. Whether you choose to ride along Lakeshore Road or Northshore Road, you’ll enjoy views of the blue waters of Lake Mead against a backdrop of rugged mountains. You could even take a detour to the majestic Hoover Dam, one of the greatest feats of engineering in the world. Read more here.

4. Mount Charleston Tour

Escape the heat of Las Vegas and take a day trip to the cooler climes of Mount Charleston, which is less than an hour away. You’ll feel as if you’re not in Nevada anymore, as the desert landscape slowly transforms into a mountain vista, filled with pine and oak. It even snows in Mount Charleston, with the snowiest periods being early to mid-January and early February. Mount Charleston Lodge is a popular stop-off, with delicious food in a crisp mountain setting. Find out more tips on riding to Mount Charleston here.

5. Extraterrestrial Highway

If you enjoy open desert/range-riding, then this is the ride for you. With sweeping curves and many straight stretches, Extraterrestrial Highway (also known as Nevada State Route 375) is a desolate route in the desert. It’s also a must-do for any science fiction or alien fan, as the scenery makes you feel like you are on another planet! You can also visit the Alien Research Center and eat an ‘Alien Burger’ in the small town of Rachel. There is, however, a lack of gas stations on the Highway, so make sure you’re well topped up.

 

Top attractions

Aside from exploring Las Vegas’ great motorcycle routes, there are many unique activities to try during your downtime in the city. Here are just some that I would recommend:

1. Take in the Grand Canyon

Visiting the iconic Grand Canyon should be on everyone’s bucket list. You can ride your motorcycle out to the Grand Canyon, and follow a looped route, which is a fantastic ride and a great way to take in the dramatic landscape. However, the drive from Vegas to Grand Canyon is five hours, one way, so it can be tested in the heat.

For something different, consider viewing the immense canyon from the sky. I experienced a helicopter ride from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, flying over the great Colorado River and Hoover Dam en route. And when the layers of pinkish, golden and orange colors of the canyon came into view, I was awe-struck by its beauty. The Grand Canyon is one of the seven wonders of the world and is up to 6,000 feet deep. We flew through the diverse landscape of the West Rim before landing right at the bottom to take in the scenery. We even enjoyed a Prosecco on landing!

There are plenty of operators offering several helicopter experiences in the Grand Canyon such as papillon.com. Or if you’d prefer to spend more time at the Grand Canyon and combine a visit there with a stop-off at Hoover Dam, you could book a Grand Canyon Coach Tour. This tour on a luxury bus will also provide a lunch overlooking the West Rim and can add an optional Skywalk.

Or, you could go by minivan to the Grand Canyon! On the Small-Group Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend Tour from Las Vegas, you’ll explore the canyon with a Navajo guide, hike out to the sheer rock face at Horseshoe Bend, and stop at a scenic overlook for views of Lake Powell.

2. Tons of tours!

Along with the Grand Canyon tours, there are many other unique and fun tours you could go on to experience all of Vegas’ glory. For example, book a Helicopter Night Flight over Las Vegas and soar above the dazzling lights and sights including the Bellagio Fountain and Caesars Palace. It’s an amazing experience.

Or, if you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, go for a Big Bus Open-Top Night Tour, which captures the city’s sights at its glittering best and you can see its many beautiful themed hotels. For an adrenaline rush, book an ATV (all-terrain vehicle), which takes you off-road through some of the best scenery in the desert.

Or explore the Colorado River. You can go on a kayaking tour to experience the serenity of Emerald Cave, a picturesque natural attraction on the Colorado River. An unforgettable experience.

3. Meet the celebrities at Madame Tussauds

You never know, you might spot a real celebrity or two around Las Vegas, but for the next best thing, head to Madame Tussauds. Located at The Venetian Las Vegas, Madame Tussauds is home to wax figures of stars such as Elvis, Dwayne Johnson, Marvel superheroes and more.

After your visit, pop next door to the Italian-themed Venetian hotel for a romantic gondola ride. Yes, there’s an actual canal within the hotel and you can float along in an authentic gondola! With Venice-inspired interiors, stores and restaurants, the hotel provides a little piece of Italy in Las Vegas. There really are so many different worlds within Vegas.

5. Dive with sharks

You’ll feel as if you’ve walked into another different world at the 43-story luxury resort hotel, Mandalay Bay. With its tropical South Seas theme, at Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino there’s even an aquarium. Who would have thought you could find an aquarium in the desert? The hotel’s Shark Reef Aquarium has more than 2,000 species of sea life and you can even go diving with sharks!

6. Catch a show

You won’t be stuck for entertainment in Las Vegas, that’s for sure. Some of the biggest names in music have found their career booming in Las Vegas. From Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley to Celine Dion, and dozens more, Las Vegas has seen stardom for decades.

Country singer Garth Brooks currently has residency in Vegas and is performing his Garth Brooks/Plus ONE Las Vegas Residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace until December. For a spectacle that is truly one-of-a-kind, check out Cirque du Soleil shows at various Vegas hotels, which feature talented acrobats and a dose of magic.

7. Ride a rollercoaster over the city

I’m afraid of heights but I plucked up the courage to ride the Big Apple Rollercoaster that maneuvers around the New York New York hotel. Going 67mph along the coaster, combined with a 203ft drop was enough to make my heart stop! But the views over the city are worth it – and it is an exhilarating thrill!

Also check out the High Roller Las Vegas Strip Observation Wheel, which has sweeping 360-degree views.

8. City of Adventure

Whatever your interest, there really is something for everyone if you base yourself in the city of Vegas on a motorcycling trip. For those who love the great outdoors, or trying something new, there’s an outdoor shooting experience, horseback riding, hot air balloon rides and exotic car driving. There are also plenty of indoor activities, including indoor skydiving, interactive museums, Topgolf, ice skating and bowling.

For foodies, Vegas has every dining option you could want and need, from steakhouses to pizza places and plenty of amazing dessert options. Food tasting tours are a great way to explore the culinary wonder of Las Vegas, even highlighting premier celebrity chef restaurants, including Gordon Ramsay. For shoppers, there are many luxury brands, malls and outlets. Then you have attractions such as the famous Las Vegas sign, the Little White Chapel, and the colorful Seven Magic Mountains. Don’t leave without getting a picture of these sights!

On top of all this, Las Vegas is a bike-friendly city, with many hotels having designated bike parking spots closer to the security cameras for added safety. Not to mention, there are a variety of motorcycle routes to explore, which reveal a different side of Las Vegas. One that takes you away from the hustle and bustle and through some of the world’s best natural wonders.

“It’s hard to imagine a bigger desert oasis than Las Vegas.”

Cinnamon Stomberge.