Summerlin & the West Side
The master-planned west side of the valley, tucked up against the red sandstone of Red Rock Canyon — open-air shopping, a Triple-A ballpark, a four-diamond off-Strip resort, and more than 200 miles of trail.
Updated June 2026
Drive about twenty minutes northwest of the neon and the valley changes character entirely. Summerlin is the big master-planned community on Las Vegas' west side, pressed right up against the red sandstone escarpment of Red Rock Canyon. It trades the wall-to-wall casinos for tree-lined parkways, an open-air shopping district, a minor-league ballpark and a trail network that runs for miles. It's still Las Vegas — but it's the quiet, green, neighborhood version of it.
This is the side of town for travelers who want a base that breathes: families, hikers and anyone who'd rather wake up near a trailhead than a slot floor. You can spend a sunrise scrambling on red rock, an afternoon browsing shops, and an evening at a ballgame, then drive to the Strip in well under half an hour when you want the lights. Pair this page with our Red Rock Canyon guide and our roundup of where to stay off the Strip.
What to see & do
An open-air downtown, a desert-luxe resort and the kind of outdoor access the Strip can't touch.
A perfect west-side day
Red rock at dawn, shade and shops by midday, a ballgame at dusk.
- Beat the heat with a sunrise hike or the Scenic Drive at Red Rock Canyon (book the timed entry first in the cooler months).
- Come back into town for brunch and a wander around Downtown Summerlin as the day heats up.
- Cool off with a public skate or a peek at a Golden Knights practice over at City National Arena.
- Reset at the pool or the spa back at Red Rock Resort through the hottest stretch of afternoon.
- Catch an Aviators game at the Las Vegas Ballpark, then dinner and a drink steps away — no Strip traffic required.
Where to go next
From the trailheads back to the neon — the rest of the valley is a short drive away.
Red Rock Canyon
The Scenic Drive, the trailheads and the timed-entry details for the canyon just west of Summerlin.
Where to Stay Off the Strip
Locals' casinos and calmer hotels — including Summerlin — for a different kind of Vegas trip.
Neighborhoods
How the valley fits together — the Strip, Downtown, the Arts District and the rest of the west side.
Day Trips
Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire, the Grand Canyon and more desert escapes within easy reach.
Find a Summerlin hotel
Common questions
Where is Summerlin in Las Vegas?
Summerlin is a large master-planned community on the west side of the Las Vegas valley, about 20 minutes northwest of the Strip by car. It sits right at the edge of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, which makes it a popular base for visitors who want easy access to hiking and the outdoors.
Is Summerlin a good place to stay instead of the Strip?
It can be, especially for families and outdoorsy travelers. Red Rock Resort is a four-diamond, off-Strip casino hotel with a big pool, a spa and several restaurants, and you're minutes from Red Rock Canyon, Downtown Summerlin and the trail network. The trade-off is that you'll want a rental car, since you're a short drive from the Strip rather than walking distance.
What is there to do in Summerlin?
Browse and dine at the open-air Downtown Summerlin district, catch a Las Vegas Aviators baseball game at the Las Vegas Ballpark, watch a Vegas Golden Knights practice or public skate at City National Arena, walk the area's hundreds of parks and 200-plus miles of trail, and head west to hike or drive Red Rock Canyon.
How far is Red Rock Canyon from Summerlin?
It's only a short drive — roughly 15 to 20 minutes west on Charleston Boulevard (State Route 159) from the heart of Summerlin. The canyon has a 13-mile one-way Scenic Drive and trailheads for every level. Timed-entry reservations are required for the Scenic Drive during the cooler months, so reserve in advance through Recreation.gov.
Is Summerlin good for families?
Yes. It's one of the more family-friendly parts of the valley, with a huge network of neighborhood parks (many with splash pads and playgrounds), the kid-friendly Las Vegas Ballpark, public ice skating at City National Arena, and easy hiking nearby. Note that the casinos and most clubs remain 21+, as they are everywhere in Las Vegas.
Do I need a car to stay in Summerlin?
Practically, yes. Summerlin is spread out and built for driving, with a few miles between the shops, the resort, the ballpark and the canyon, and the Strip is its own drive away. Parking is generally free and easy at Downtown Summerlin, the ballpark and Red Rock Resort, so a rental car makes the whole area far more convenient.