Thursday April 14, 2011 at 2:31PM from Sabine K.
Las Vegas and beyond,

Just outside of Las Vegas you can find some of the region’s most beautiful scenery: The Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and Red Rock Canyon are just a few spots. These attractions offer adventure and nature in unique habitats.

Grand Canyon: Located about 278 miles east of Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon has been one of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites since 1979. Carved over millions of years by the Colorado River, the canyon is nearly 1,500 meters deep and is considered to be one of the most spectacular gorges in the world.Red Rock Canyon: Just 20 miles west of Las Vegas, Red Rock features towering red cliffs, some reaching up nearly 3,000 feet. Red Rock also offers striking desert beauty and abundant wildlife. The park’s 13-mile scenic loop takes hikers to waterfalls, Indian handprints and into wild habitat, where they may catch a glimpse of some of the 200 varieties of mammals.

Hoover Dam: One of the greatest engineering feats of the 20th century, Hoover Dam is located about 35 miles south of Las Vegas on U.S. 93. Construction of the historic landmark began in 1930 and was finished in 1936. Standing 725 feet above the Colorado River and spanning 1,244 feet, it is the highest concrete dam in the western hemisphere.