Desert Adventures Las Vegas
The Mojave Is Wide Open, and It Starts Just South of the Strip
The desert around Las Vegas is not the empty space between casinos. It is the main event. Canyons that glow red at sunset, a river the color of turquoise, a Wild West ghost town, and trails that beg for a throttle. Most visitors never see any of it, and they fly home thinking Las Vegas is only what happens indoors.
Approximately 45 minutes south of the Strip, the Mojave opens up into Eldorado Canyon, where our Adventure Experts have spent years learning every wash, ridge, and overlook. This is your guide to the best desert adventures Las Vegas has to offer, from guided off road tours to canyon hikes and river days, starting with the one we know best.
The Signature Desert Adventure: Eldorado Canyon by RZR
This is not a rental. It is a full destination. You ride out on a private trail system that belongs to Awesome Adventures alone, which means no sharing the route with another company, no waiting in line behind a crowd, and no fighting for a clean line through the sand.
Our fleet covers every kind of rider. Honda 250cc ATVs for solo riders who want to steer their own machine. Polaris RZR 900 two seaters and four seaters, and the Polaris RZR 1000 four seater for groups who want to ride together. A Polaris Ranger 800 Crew Cab for larger parties. Whatever you climb into, the terrain is the same: clean desert trails with breathtaking views, not packed dunes and crowds.
The route rolls past Nelson Ghost Town, where weathered buildings and rusted vintage cars sit exactly where time left them. It reaches the Techatticup Gold Mine, established in 1861 and one of the most storied mines in Nevada. On select tours it drops all the way down to the Colorado River, where you stop for lunch, take a short hike to the water, swim in the warmer months, and find the jump spot that guests talk about all the way home. It is a full day of real Eldorado Canyon history and scenery.
Every tour is designed for all level riders, beginner friendly and season riders alike, with full safety instruction and guide support from start to finish. Most of our guests have never been on a machine before. That is exactly who this is built for. We offer hotel pick up at 4 designated areas, and if you have 6 or more in your group we will pick up from your hotel.
What Makes Us Different: Perks at No Extra Charge
- Hotel pick up and drop off included for a smoother start and finish
- Designed for all level riders, beginner friendly and season riders, with safety instruction and guide support throughout the tour
- All gear provided for your Awesome tour
- Unlimited ice cold water, coolie neck ties, and sunscreen
- Clean desert trails with breathtaking views, away from packed dunes, crowds, and time wasted stuck in sand
- Guide captured free photos and videos with action shots, scenic canyon views, and posed group photos
- Dusting Off Station after your ride
- Celebration props to make a special day even more memorable
- Adventure Zone hangout with fun outdoor games, because when the engine stops the fun does not
More Desert Adventures Near Las Vegas
Hiking Red Rock Canyon
Thirty minutes west of the Strip, Red Rock offers a 13 mile scenic loop and trails for every level, from easy walks to scrambles up the sandstone. Timed entry reservations are required in peak season. Best in spring and fall, when the heat backs off and the rock lights up in the morning sun.
Valley of Fire State Park
An hour northeast, Nevada’s oldest state park is a landscape of fiery red sandstone, slot canyons, and ancient petroglyphs carved by the Ancestral Puebloans. The Fire Wave and Elephant Rock are the standouts. Go in the cooler months and start early.
Colorado River Kayaking and Black Canyon Paddling
Paddle the emerald water below Hoover Dam, past hot springs and sheer canyon walls, on a guided kayak trip through Black Canyon. A slower way to see the same river our RZR tours reach by land. Emerald Cave is the signature stop.
Stargazing in the Mojave
Once the city glow drops behind you, the Mojave sky opens up. New moon nights are best, and the desert floor stays warm long after sunset. Death Valley, about two hours out, holds a Dark Sky designation for some of the clearest stargazing in the country.
Rock Climbing and Bouldering
Red Rock Canyon is a world class climbing destination, with routes for every level from beginner boulders to multi pitch sandstone. Guided sessions and gear rentals are available in season, best in spring and fall.
Nelson Ghost Town and Eldorado Canyon History
The ghost town is open to the public for a fee, and it is a photographer’s favorite. The deeper history, the outlaw stories, the mine, and the private trails around it, are best seen on a guided tour.
Desert Wildlife and Wildflower Season
Bighorn sheep, desert tortoise, roadrunners, and jackrabbits all live out here. After a wet winter, the wildflowers bloom across the canyon floor in March and April, turning the desert briefly green and gold.
What to Bring and the Best Time to Go
We supply all your safety gear and water during the tour. It is mandatory to wear closed toe shoes.
- Long sleeves and pants are strongly recommended due to desert terrain, cacti, rocks, brush, and wildlife, plus if riding an ATV your legs are next to the muffler and will get hot. Dress for the weather and desert conditions.
- We recommend zipper clothing or fanny pack, or small backpack to hold your belongings, so they do not fall out of your pockets while riding. If you lose items on the trails, most likely it will be lost or damaged.
- Hair MUST be flat enough to fit under a helmet.
- Water is provided during the tour. You may bring additional snacks or beverages if desired.
Fall through spring is prime season, with mild days and cool mornings. Summer runs hot, so tours start earlier, and every ride includes unlimited ice cold water, coolie neck ties, and sunscreen or take advantage of our beautiful sunset tour, where the towering canyons offer shade for a cooler ride. The Colorado River stop gives you a place to cool off when the temperature climbs. One thing to plan for: there are no gas stations, stores, or EV charging on location, so arrive with a full tank and anything you need for the day.
Desert Adventures Las Vegas: Frequently Asked Questions
Keep Exploring
- Day Trips from Las Vegas: the best full day escapes from the Strip
- Off the Strip Las Vegas: where locals send you for the real thing
- Las Vegas Hidden Gems: the spots tourists miss
- Our Tours: book your Eldorado Canyon adventure
Ready to See the Real Mojave?
Our Adventure Experts will get you on the right machine, on the right trail, and back with photos you did not have to pay extra for. Call us at 702-257-8509 or book online.