Valley of Fire, Las Vegas

Atlas ObscuraOct 15, 2025

The Explorer’s Guide to Nevada’s Night Skies

Nevada’s big night sky nearly bursts with twinkling stars, and you don’t have to travel far to trade the urban lights for celestial spectacle. In Valley of Fire, just an hour outside Las Vegas, inky black skies are interrupted only by awe-inspiring rock formations. And Great Basin National Park, located near the Utah border, is internationally renowned for its designation as a dark sky park. Wh…

Nevada’s oldest state park, known for red sandstone

15 things in this story

Valley of FireTrailNevada’s oldest state park, known for red sandstone
Great Basin National ParkTrailinternationally renowned dark sky park near Utah border
Lehman CavesSightethereal stalactites and stalagmites inside the park
Black Rock PlayaSightflat, dry expanse famous for Burning Man
Wheeler PeakSighthighest point in Great Basin National Park
Mountain View TrailTraillowest trail in Great Basin National Park
Perseid Meteor ShowerFestivalmeteor shower that bursts through the sky each August
Walker River State Recreation AreaSightfive distinct park units, formerly large ranches
Nine Mile RanchSightleast developed park unit, also known as the “Elbow”
Bighorn CampgroundSightcampground at Nine Mile Ranch with river access
Lunar CraterSightvolcanic field with 400-acre crater, NASA training site
East Walker RiverSightriver running through rolling landscape
Dark Horse NebulaSightnebula in the Milky Way’s Great Rift
Andromeda GalaxySight
Triangulum GalaxySight

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Condé Nast TravelerOct 13, 2025

8 Best Affordable Las Vegas Hotels for Balling on a Budget

These properties deliver style, convenience, and a real sense of place—without draining your travel fund.

33 things in this story

Palms Casino ResortHotelSet the scene for us.
Red Rock Casino Resort & SpaHotelStandard Deluxe Kings start around 500 square feet and feel more generous than the number suggests, especially if you…
Resorts World Las VegasHotelDiscover top Las Vegas resorts and casino action at Resorts World—luxury, dining, and entertainment in one place.
Circa Resort & CasinoHotelRooms at Circa are straightforward and geared toward groups as much as couples.
Park MGM Las VegasHotelPick the Park MGM if you want all the standard amenities of a quintessential Vegas resort—casino, pool deck,…
The Linq Hotel & CasinoHotelA Caesars Rewards Destination.
The Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort & SpaHotelMoroccan-inspired elegance
Golden Nugget Las Vegas Hotel & CasinoHotelSituated right on Fremont Street with a bedazzled lit-up exterior that you can’t miss, The Golden Nugget is the most…
PalmsHotelhigh-end style and amenities without resort pricing
Red Rock Conservation AreaSighthotel backs up against the conservation area
Osteria FiorellaRestaurantMarc Vetri’s restaurant
Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & GrillRestaurantsushi bar and grill
Naxos TavernaRestauranttaverna
Lotus of SiamRestaurantnew outpost of the legendary restaurant
Red RockHotelTimed entry reservations are required for the Scenic Drive between October 1 - May 31 for entry between 8 a.m.
Resorts WorldHotelrolls celeb residencies, restaurants, gaming
CrockfordsHotel332-room hotel on floors 60-66
Conrad Las VegasHotel1,496-room contemporary hotel
Las Vegas HiltonHotel1,678 rooms fill the west tower
Lake MeadSightIt is located in the states of Nevada and Arizona, 24 mi (39 km) east of Las Vegas.
Bavette's Steakhouse & BarRestaurantsteakhouse and bar from Chicago
CircaHotelfresh design and entertainment value
Stadium SwimSightpool complex with HD TV
18b Arts DistrictNeighborhoodfunky dive bars and galleries
Legacy ClubSightpartly open-air lounge on 60th floor
Park MGMHotelfully non-smoking resort on the Strip
EatalyRestaurantoutpost from other big cities
Best FriendRestaurantKorean barbecue spot from LA chef
Park TheaterSight5,200-seat theater hosted residencies
The Linq HotelHotelstylish and affordable stays on the Strip
Guy Fieri’s Vegas KitchenRestaurantover-the-top comfort food
InfluenceSight21+ day club
Valley of FireTrail

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Valley of Fire

In the coverage2 stories

The Explorer’s Guide to Nevada’s Night Skies

8 Best Affordable Las Vegas Hotels for Balling on a Budget