Death Valley National Park

While Death Valley National Park is technically over the border in California, the easiest way to get there is from Nevada. Plus, Las Vegas is a leisurely two-hour drive to Furnace Creek and Zabriskie Point (an excellent photo-op spot), so there is no need to rough it in the hottest place on Earth. If you're leaving Las Vegas altogether, opt for a proper road trip. Simply continue north through the park back into Nevada to stay in Beatty (an hour's drive) or Tonopah (an hour-and-a-half drive).