I love getting outdoors and exploring. Redrock Canyon and Valley of Fire are both great places close to Vegas but they do not compare to the Spring Mountains in my opinion. I love hiking up here with my dogs. It's very peaceful, relaxing and yet you can get a challenging workout on the trails at the same time. The elevation goes all the way up to almost 12,000 ft at the highest point. Lots of wildlife and fresh air to be had. You will routinely see wild horses, mule deer, wild burros, coyotes, etc. There are also Elk, Mountain Lions and Bobcats. It is a great place just to get away from it all in Vegas. It is a whole different world than the strip. It is about 45-60 mins drive from Vegas.