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Red Rock

Red Rock Canyon is a very nice national conservation area just outside of Las Vegas (about 15 miles west). It's a very easy way to get out of the city, and spend a day in the wilderness.

The park is fairly small, certainly not as big as many other National parks/preserves, but it contains a large amount of variety in its landscape. There are numerous hiking trails, up various canyons around the park, which tend to be cooler and shady, a scenic drive which takes you around the valley formed by the mountains surrounding the park, and several large rockfaces that are well suited to climbing (and designated as such).

The trails range from easy to very strenuous, going from entirely flat to steep climbs up a mountain desert (take water). One of my favorite hikes is up to the Calico tanks, it takes about an hour or maybe two (longer up, of course), and ends at a very large pool of water, and a cliff overlooking the city.

The park is only open during the day, unless you have a camping permit. Check the website for details.