LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A blast of summer heat over the weekend is a reminder that Memorial Day isn’t too far off. National parks are already gearing up for a busy season.
The closest options are Red Rock National Conservation Area and Lake Mead National Recreation Area, but don’t forget state parks like Valley of Fire and Spring Mountain Ranch.
Do your homework before you go. Timed-entry reservations are required at Red Rock through May 31, and many popular trails at Lake Mead will close as summer heat sets in. It’s important to take plenty of water and the right kinds of snacks. Know where to find shade, and don’t go out alone.
8 News Now will have more coverage of Nevada recreation spots as Memorial Day nears. Here are a few updates on recent news from other National Parks near Las Vegas:
Zion National Park
Long lines are expected at Zion National Park, one of the most popular parks, where officials say they had 92,000 visits on Memorial Day weekend in 2024. Nearly 5 million visits were recorded for the year — the second-highest in the National Park system.
Entrance stations, roads, parking lots and shuttle buses are likely to be jam-packed at Zion. Because of the crowds, the National Park Service advises travelers who are just passing through to avoid the park completely. Utah State Route 20, Utah State Route 14 and U.S. Highway 89 (Arizona 389/Utah 59) will get you where you are going without entering the park. Other things to think about:
- Wading in The Narrows is a great experience, but you should monitor weather and water levels. A permit is required for some hikes in The Narrows.
- Hiking at Angel’s landing requires a permit, so take your ID.
- Check fire conditions.
- Be aware of restrictions related to pets, as well as dangers related to toxic cyanobacteria blooms.
- Zion’s Facebook page often highlights wildlife and natural wonders within the park, as well as providing updates on current conditions.
***Lines and crowding at the Temple of Sinawava during Memorial Day Weekend 2022.
NPS Image / Jonathan Shafer
Grand Canyon National Park
A major project to build a new Transcanyon Waterline has been underway since last year, but the Bright Angel Trail and campground on the South Rim are scheduled to reopen on Thursday, May 15. Last year, several hikers died on trails at the Grand Canyon.
That’s the same day the North Rim reopens, marking the official start of the 2025 season. Grand Canyon Lodge and Grand Canyon Trail Rides also begin starting on May 15. The Bright Angel Point Trail on the North Rim will be closed for the entire season.
Campers should be aware that new rates took effect on May 1, with standard rates at Desert View, North Rim and Mather campgrounds at $30 per night, and $55 for group sites.
Bryce Canyon National Park
One of the park’s most iconic trails — Wall Street — opened last week after crews worked to address extreme rock fall danger this winter. The trail closed on Jan. 10.
The high-altitude park, at about 8,000 feet, lends itself to some beautiful views when snow dusts the cliffs, but the effects of freezes and thaws can make for dangerous conditions.
The park is currently open with no entry reservations required. Check the park’s website for updates.
Death Valley National Park
Known for the nation’s lowest altitude (-282 feet at Badwater Basin) and the highest temperatures (a record 134 degrees at Furnace Creek recorded in 1913), summer might not be the best time for a visit to Death Valley. But it’s not all heat and sand. The Panamint Mountains rise more than 11,000 feet above Badwater Basin, and just about all the major roads have reopened after floods that devastated park roads in recent years.
Death Valley is a bad place to break the rules. Be safe and be smart, and you’ll avoid the dangers that have claimed hikers who strayed too close to their limits during the daytime heat.
The park is also known as a great place for stargazing, with the Dark Sky Festival in late February. Skies are clearer and there’s less haze in winter months, but Zabriskie Point, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and Harmony Borax Works are popular sites within the park for nighttime photography.
Great Basin National Park
While it’s farther (285 miles from Las Vegas) than the other parks highlighted here, Great Basin is a great place to get away from the crowds. Lehman Caves and the high mountains — several among the state’s tallest — provide a break from the desert heat year-round.
It’s another place where stargazing is at its finest, earning the Dark Sky Park designation in 2016.
