Run Las Vegas and Enjoy the Best Sights

If you’re planning to run Las Vegas, you will be pleasantly surprised by the variety of options for scenic places to check out. I’ve had my fair share of Sin City trips, and although running isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when traveling to Vegas, it is actually a really beautiful - albeit extreme - place to run. When I first started coaching, I trained a team of half marathon runners for a nighttime half marathon on the Vegas Strip and it was an incredible experience to run the strip at night.

From scenic trail running in canyons to running by massive murals, the Las Vegas landscape has something for every runner. Here is my list of the best places to run in Vegas, including the best Las Vegas street art spots. Also I am including a few of my top Vegas eats since no run — and no Vegas trip — is complete without great food!

Running the Las Vegas Strip

Running the Vegas Strip is a classic run for any tourist. If you want to see the beauty of the Vegas Strip without all the crowds, the best time to run is in the morning, before 8 am.

Besides seeing all the beautiful resorts and landmarks on The Strip, you’ll have a pretty fool-proof route as The Strip is simply north and south on S. Las Vegas Boulevard. Running the Vegas Strip is also a great way to get in a stair workout, as several of the hotels have stairs and overpasses to cross S. Las Vegas Blvd. Another bonus of running The Strip is you can measure your route easily, since it is an out and back course. If you start at the southern part of the Strip, at Mandalay Bay, it is 3.1 miles — 5K — in one direction to Encore at Wynn, or 6.2 miles — 10K — out and back, from Mandalay Bay to Encore Wynn. I recommend that you don’t go north of the Wynn for the safest running route that avoids a big dead zone on the north end of The Strip.

Running Red Rock Canyon

Red Rock Canyon offers an incredible trail running getaway with 26 mapped trails all within just a 30-minute drive from The Strip. Even without a car (coming from NYC), we were able to Uber from the Strip to the canyon easily. Once you are at Red Rock Canyon, you can just hop on a trail and explore or plan out your run by checking the trail directory for a list of trail details, including distances and difficulty levels. The geography is stark, stunning and very arid at Red Rock Canyon. Running on the peaceful trails, you definitely know you’re running in the desert, with the cacti and red rocks. On our run, it was a quiet Sunday morning and we literally saw no signs of life the whole run. Check out my video for more of the incredible scenery and trail running at Red Rock.

Running by Las Vegas Street Art

For being a relatively small city, Las Vegas has a huge amount of street art and murals. The warm, dry climate and expansive wall space combine to create the perfect spray paint grounds for artists from around the world, including internationally renowned street artists such as Shepard Fairey, D*Face (my favorite!), and many more. If you’re wondering where to find street art in Vegas, a great place to start is the Arts District and Downtown Vegas.

The Las Vegas Arts District, or 18b, includes plenty of murals, and some of them are really massive. The area is located north of the Vegas Strip and south of downtown Vegas. To check out murals, go on the Arts District’s website for a map of art. For a longer run, you can hit the Arts District and run over to downtown Vegas to see more murals.

Downtown Vegas is full of vintage Vegas charm, with retro casinos and lively Fremont Street with performers and more. Downtown Vegas also includes epic murals! This area is a Vegas street art gold mine so don’t miss it if you love street art.

My Top Tips to Run Las Vegas

One of the most important things to keep in mind when you run Las Vegas is the heat. Try to run early in the day to avoid peak heat hours and try to stick to the shade as much as possible. Also, wear sunscreen and a hat for sun protection. Stay hydrated by bringing water on your run and re-hydrating after the run. Check out my article on how to run in the heat for more tips on staying safe while running in the desert.

Sun protection is a must in Vegas, with such strong sun, so wear a good waterproof suncreen with UVA and UVB protection. I also have tips on the best sunscreen for runners if you need help finding a good waterproof sunscreen,

When running in Vegas, stick to areas with people. Obviously, the Vegas Strip has so many people that it may be too many to run through at times, but go in the morning for a thinner crowd and the same scenic views. Downtown Vegas still has people but is less crowded so I recommend that area for running, especially if you love street art. The Arts District has some pretty abandoned areas so I would recommend running with others, preferably locals who know the area.

When you are traveling, it’s always a good idea to practice some basic safety precautions. Look at your map and create a route before your run so you know where you’re going. Run with a buddy - or your dog - when possible. Stick to daylight hours for running and if you are running alone, you can use a running app to let a loved one see your location in real time and know that you’re ok.

For more running safety tips, including running apps with the best safety features, check out my article on running safety.

Best Vegas Eats

No Vegas trip would be complete without great food. Here are some of my restaurant picks for great food in a runner-friendly, casual atmosphere:

Peppermill Las Vegas is a super cool retro (it opened in 1972) 24-hour diner with huge portions, amazing desserts and a great happy hour at the bar. Whether you’re carb-loading for tomorrow’s long run or looking for a late-night place to curb your hunger, this place is the spot.

Tacos El Gordo serves up fresh Tijuana tacos for cheap in several locations around Vegas. The taquerias make their own corn tortillas, fresh guacamole, and fresh salsas daily. Although all the tacos on the menu contain meat, you can ask for a vegetarian taco and pick your veggie fillings (I put lots of guac on mine). Tacos El Gordo is perfect for fresh, fast, and cheap eats on the go. Great for traveling runners because it’s hard to find fresh food on the go. Check out their Vegas locations here.

Where are your fave places to eat in Vegas? And your favorite places to run in Las Vegas? Comment below and tag @Runstreet on Instagram so we can cheer you on in your running travels.😊

Marnie Kunz is a NASM-certified trainer and USATF- and RRCA-certified running coach and the creator of Runstreet Art Runs, which bring together communities through running and street art. She is a Brooklyn resident, Akita mom🐕, and writer. You can follow her running and training at @Runstreet Instagram.

Resources: Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas Strip Map

Run Las Vegas: Best Places for Running