Henderson Outdoor Activities

Breaking in the new Wet'n'Wild Las Vegas water park, The Soggy Jog combines healthy family fun with heat-beating, aquatic entertainment. Obstacles such as the Lazy River Shiver, Slimy Swamp, and Foam Monster break up speedy trots and drench joggers throughout the race, building up to a slip ‘n' slide that sends racers headlong toward the finish line with low-friction aplomb. After the run, guests spend the rest of the day exploring the water park, chasing thrills by hurtling down towering slides or pantsing Poseidon.

The Revere Golf Club celebrates the legacy of the Revolutionary War hero with two 18-hole championship golf courses that extend for more than 7,000 yards apiece through the desert canyons of the Las Vegas valley. Players drink in the scenery as they take on the Lexington course, opened in 1999 on the same date Paul Revere made his famous ride, or the Concord course, opened in 2002 on the same date Paul Revere discovered text messaging. Each layout was carved into the rugged terrain by Casper Nash & Associates, the prolific design team of Greg Nash and 51-time PGA tour winner Billy Casper.

Once visitors have holed out on either 18th green, they can take to the 23,000-square-foot clubhouse. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows span the entire north side of the facility, allowing for magnificent views of the course and the Las Vegas strip from Buckman’s Grille. Diners enjoy breakfast and lunch options amid Revolution-era ambiance, complete with lanterns that shine overhead and signal whether to order surf or turf.

Lexington Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 72 course
• Total length of 7,069 yards from the back tees
• Course rating of 73.3 from the back tees
• Course slope of 151 from the back tees
• Four sets of tees per hole

Concord Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 72 course
• Total length of 7,143 yards from the back tees
• Course rating of 73.5 from the back tees
• Course slope of 139 from the back tees
• Four sets of tees per hole

A fleet of powerful Honda 250 ATVs growl in the Nevada sunlight, waiting to tear over the hills and skid through the ravines of the Valley of Fire State Park. For three hours, guests careen around 28 miles of scenery, kicking up dust and out pacing jackrabbits on their mini ATVs, before breaking for a provided picnic lunch. Professional guides ensure the safety of helmet-clad guests and sandstone cliffs ensure conversation-starting photographs long after the excursion's end.

After noticing a lack of guided outdoor-excursion opportunities, James Dingess founded Desert Adventures in 2004 to help locals and visitors to take advantage of Nevada’s stunning natural landscapes. What began as a small paddling outfit with a handful of kayaks and a single employee has since expanded to include ATV, mountain biking, and time-travel adventures led by knowledgeable guides. Desert Adventures stays true to its kayaking roots with a fleet of 125 shells and half- to four-day Colorado River runs. Guides also lead multiday, multisport excursions combining various activities, as well as high-speed ziplining tours that careen from the top of Red Mountain to the base of Bootleg Canyon. Most adventures accommodate all skill levels, but some carry experience or age restrictions.

The year 2013 marks the 30th anniversary of guided rafting tours through the Colorado River's Black Canyon. Created by volcanic activity over the course of millennia, its walls rise more than 2,000 feet above the Colorado River’s edge. Rafters glide between these walls on the company’s assorted rafting tours, which also incorporate visits to sites such as the Hoover Dam or the Techatticup Mine, where they learn about area mining history.

Scubafy Dive Center's veteran dive instructor, cofounder Charlie Franks, an instructor, regional training director for IDEA, and evaluator, draws on thousands dives’ worth of experience while teaching scuba courses. Charlie and his instructors guide small-group classes of budding divers aged 12 and older through open-water certification courses, which impart the skills needed to explore the liquid depths of nearby Lake Mead, international waters, or Zeus's hot tub. The shelves and racks of Scubafy's well-stocked dive shop are laden with new and pre-owned gear for divers of all skill levels. Rental equipment is available by the day or week, and air-tank refills, repair services, and all-inclusive introductory packages equip those who are getting their feet wet for the first time.