6 extreme adventures you can have in Las Vegas

For most, an adrenaline high in Las Vegas comes only from a heavy bet at the roulette table. But some thrill-seekers may be looking for something a little more physical. For the true adrenaline junkie, finding something more extreme means wandering away from the bright lights of the strip, and into the large expanse of nature that the Las Vegas Valley offers. If you’re looking for something different from the “theme park” thrills the strip offers, read on to find something a little more adventuresome.

Skydive over the desert

Skydiving has always been a popular bucket-list item. And if it’s on your list, what better place to do it than in Vegas? Vegas Extreme Skydiving takes first-time jumpers on a trip they’ll never forget. You and your tandem skydiver will take a scenic flight over the Las Vegas Strip, Red Rock Canyon and Mount Charleston. Once you reach jump altitude, you’re in for a 3 mile descent! Make sure you spring for the video of your fall. This is one you’ll want to show to all your friends upon touching back down.

Scuba diving in the desert

Many local natives may think that scuba diving is something reserved for beach cities and coastal resorts. But you’re forgetting that Las Vegas is home to the largest man-made lake in the country. Lake Mead may not provide some of the same marine life you’d find out in the oceans, but there are still quite a few sights — and even wrecks — to see down there. Before your next summer vacation, stop in at Boulder City’s Scubafy Dive Center where scuba instructor by day, Elvis impersonator by night, Charlie Franks will teach you everything you need to know and issue you an internationally accepted certification card.

Hike and climb through the canyon

For the budget-conscious adventurer, you can’t beat hiking in Red Rock Canyon. Hikers and climbers come from all over the world to explore what we have in our own backyard. Popular hikes like Ice Box Canyon offer breathtaking scenery along with a tricky hike up the side of what, in wetter months, is a waterfall. For those willing to break out a harness, Calico Basin has lots of awesome bouldering trails. The two climbing gyms in the area, Red Rock Climbing Center and Nevada Climbing Center offer gear rentals as well as knowledgeable instructors for those who are looking to break into the sport.

Drive real earth-moving machines!

Ever drive past a construction site and think about how fun it would be to drive a bulldozer? Well in Las Vegas, you can! At Dig This, you get the opportunity to play with the big equipment you always dreamt about. You can choose between driving a bulldozer or an excavator and partake in exercises such as digging trenches, climbing over dirt mounds or pushing 2,000 pound tires. Reconcile all of your childhood sandcastle building frustrations by digging like the pros.

Hit the slopes

With winter rapidly approaching, now is the perfect time for extreme sports enthusiasts to hit the slopes! For those wanting to stay in town, Lee Canyon at Mount Charleston is a convenient choice. But experienced skiers and snowboarders may prefer to take a road trip out to Utah for better snow and a better variety of runs. Brianhead, located only 2 and a half hours outside of Las Vegas has always been a popular choice for locals looking for a day trip. But local snowboarder, Elyssa Solomon, recommends driving an additional 45 minutes out to Eagle Point. Though it is a bit of trek, Solomon says Eagle Point is an “underrated gem.” Solomon adds, “It has condos located right off the slopes, it’s really reasonably priced and the staff is so warm and super accommodating. It feels like home.”

Cliff diving

Though our warm weather months may be rapidly grinding to a halt, there’s still time to head out to the lake for cliff jumping! A popular choice for hot summer days, almost every local adrenaline junkie has gone out to Nelson’s Landing to jump off cliffs into the cool waters. Take the 95 S to Boulder City, hang a right toward Searchlight/Needles and then turn left on to NV-165 E. A dirt path will lead right to the water’s edge. The nearest cliffs are about 20-30 feet high. But swim out, and you’ll find cliffs up to 90 feet up to throw yourself off of.

Janna Karel is a tour guide in Las Vegas and a seasoned international solo traveler. Contact her on twitter @jannainprogress.