Last Updated: May 2026
Las Vegas was a perfect location to spend Thanksgiving with Terri and Jerry. We were lucky to have warm days and cool nights to explore Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon, and Valley of Fire State Park. It was about a five-hour drive from San Diego. There is a Freightliner service center north of Vegas where we spent a couple of days having our annual service, steering alignment, and warranty shock replacement done.
Oasis Las Vegas RV Resort
Address: 2711 W Windmill Ln, Las Vegas, NV 89123. Check-In/Out: 1:00 p.m. check-in, noon check-out. Phone: (702) 260-2020. Website: oasislasvegas.com.
We enjoyed this RV park. Their gym had equipment in excellent condition, unlike so many RV resorts. Oasis had an adult-only pool and hot tub, nice for end-of-day relaxation. Sandy really liked their dog park, which had numerous individual dog runs. The park was large, allowing for power walks around the resort.
Oasis had an 18-hole putting course with real grass that wraps around the pool and clubhouse. OK, it wasn’t bentgrass with a stimpmeter of 10, but still fun.
Thanksgiving
Terri is an amazing cook. Each night we had an incredible spread with wine or prosecco. Terri is also a very good artist who took us to visit her friends at the Las Vegas Arts District. Sandy had been wanting to learn acrylics for a long time and took the opportunity to gain some knowledge from Terri during our short stay. Sandy is a beginner and has a lot to learn — she thinks her style will be abstracts. This first painting has since been altered and improved!
Red Rock Canyon
Address: 1000 Scenic Loop Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89161. Hours: 6:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. (hours vary seasonally — check before visiting). Admission: $15 per vehicle (America the Beautiful Pass accepted). Phone: (702) 515-5350. Website: blm.gov/visit/red-rock-canyon.
Red Rock Canyon features a 13-mile one-way scenic loop road with stops at numerous hiking trails. The area encompasses 196,000 acres of Mojave Desert managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), about 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip.
The wild burros were abandoned by gold rush miners and are now protected under the federal Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. They have become something of a nuisance — encroaching on bighorn sheep habitat and known to bite and kick tourists who offer food. Enjoy them from a safe distance.
Valley of Fire
Address: 29450 Valley of Fire Rd, Overton, NV 89040. Hours: Open 24 hours; visitor center 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Admission: $15 per vehicle (Nevada state park pass accepted). Phone: (702) 397-2088. Website: parks.nv.gov/parks/valley-of-fire.
Valley of Fire is Nevada’s oldest state park, established in 1935, and encompasses 46,000 acres of brilliant red sandstone about 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas.
The park is composed of Aztec Sandstone formed from ancient shifting sand dunes approximately 150 million years ago during the age of dinosaurs. Jake always enjoys a good hike.
Television, movies, and commercials have been filmed here, including Star Trek Generations, The Professionals, Total Recall, and of course Viva Las Vegas starring Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret.
We enjoyed hiking among the rocks, slot canyons, arches, and wind-carved formations. Valley of Fire at its finest.
Practical Tips
Book Oasis Las Vegas RV Resort well in advance. This is one of the best-appointed RV parks in Nevada — an 18-hole grass putting course, well-equipped gym, adult-only pool, and individual dog runs make it stand out. It fills quickly for Thanksgiving week and major holidays, so reserve three to six months ahead.
Start the Red Rock Canyon scenic loop early. The 13-mile one-way loop road gets congested by mid-morning on weekends. Arriving at opening (typically 6:00 a.m.) means cooler temperatures, better morning light on the Calico Hills, and far fewer cars. Allow two to three hours with hiking stops.
Do not feed or approach the wild burros near Red Rock Canyon. They are protected by federal law, but burros habituated to begging food from tourists can bite and kick without warning. Keep dogs leashed and on the far side of your vehicle if burros approach.
Visit Valley of Fire at sunrise or sunset. The red Aztec sandstone formations are dramatic at any time of day, but at golden hour they appear to literally be on fire — exactly how the park got its name. Arriving early also avoids the Las Vegas day-tour buses that flood the main parking areas by mid-morning.
Plan service stops near Las Vegas if you’re in a large motorhome. The Freightliner service center north of Las Vegas is one of the most accessible facilities in the Southwest for diesel pushers. Scheduling annual maintenance, steering alignment, and warranty work during a Las Vegas stop is a practical way to combine recreation with coach upkeep.
Explore the Las Vegas Arts District for a break from the Strip. Centered around Charleston Boulevard and Main Street west of downtown, the Arts District has independent galleries, studios, murals, and boutiques. The First Friday monthly art walk (first Friday of each month, evening) brings the neighborhood to life — well worth a visit for a genuine creative community experience.
FAQ
What is Valley of Fire State Park? Valley of Fire is Nevada’s oldest state park, established in 1935. It encompasses 46,000 acres of brilliant red Aztec sandstone in the Mojave Desert, approximately 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas. The sandstone was deposited as shifting sand dunes about 150 million years ago during the age of dinosaurs. The park also contains ancient Pueblo petroglyphs at Atlatl Rock dating back approximately 3,000 years. The name comes from the appearance of the rock at sunrise and sunset, when it seems to glow like fire.
How far is Red Rock Canyon from the Las Vegas Strip? Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is about 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip — roughly a 30-minute drive. The 13-mile one-way scenic loop gives access to dozens of hiking trails ranging from easy desert washes to challenging multi-pitch rock climbs. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the area is open year-round with hours that vary by season.
Are the wild burros near Red Rock Canyon really wild? Yes — the burros are feral descendants of donkeys used by 19th-century prospectors and miners. They are protected under the federal Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. Unfortunately, they have become a management challenge, competing with native desert bighorn sheep for scarce water and forage. Burros habituated to tourist handouts can be aggressive — always maintain a safe distance.
What is the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign? The iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada” sign was designed by graphic designer Betty Willis in 1959. It stands in the median of Las Vegas Boulevard South, about a mile south of the major casino hotels. Willis placed the design in the public domain — which is why it has been reproduced on everything from keychains to murals worldwide. The sign was added to the Nevada State Register of Historic Properties in 2009.
What movies were filmed at Valley of Fire? Valley of Fire has served as a backdrop for dozens of film and television productions. Notable titles include Viva Las Vegas (1964) starring Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret, The Professionals (1966) with Burt Lancaster, Total Recall (1990) with Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Star Trek Generations (1994). The otherworldly red sandstone landscape is a natural choice for science fiction and Western productions, and the area continues to attract commercial and television shoots.
Is Oasis Las Vegas RV Resort dog-friendly? Yes — Oasis Las Vegas RV Resort is exceptionally well set up for dog owners, with individual fenced dog runs rather than a single shared off-leash area. The resort is large enough for long on-leash walks around the grounds. Amenities include a well-equipped fitness center, adult-only pool and hot tub, and the 18-hole grass putting course. It books up quickly for Thanksgiving and other holidays, so reservations well in advance are recommended.
