Private Park Tours · Las Vegas, Nevada

See the parks with the ranger who worked them.

Private Valley of Fire, Red Rock Canyon and Hoover Dam tours for 2 to 4 guests. I pick you up at your hotel or residence, pack the water and snacks, and show you the desert most visitors drive right past. $85 a person.

Check open dates See the tours
  • Former Park Ranger
  • 2-4 Guests Max
  • Hotel Pickup Included
  • Water + Snacks Packed

Your Guide

Hello, my name is Joseph Nichols.

Joe Nichols smiling in front of red rock canyon country
Joe Nichols · your guide and driver

In the past I worked as a park ranger and a schoolteacher. Now that I'm retired, I look forward to sharing that knowledge with you. With my background, I enjoy planning trips and tours that are educational and entertaining: the history, the geology, the plant life, and the majestic views that sit just a short distance from Las Vegas.

No 50-person bus. No script. Four seats, your pace, and every question answered with the story behind it. Reach out and contact me; I look forward to planning a tour with you.

Why is it only $85? No office, no fleet, no booking-site commission. Just me, a comfortable SUV, and four seats.

  • Driver and guide in oneThe person behind the wheel is the person who knows the park.
  • Door-to-doorI pick you up and drop you off at your hotel or residence, on every tour.
  • Desert-readyI pack the water and snacks, start early to beat the heat, and make honest calls on trail closures.
  • Facts brochure includedYou leave with the story of what you saw, on paper.

Tours Available

Pick your park.

Four ways into the desert around Las Vegas. Every tour includes pickup and drop-off at your residence, a comfortable vehicle for 2 to 4 guests, water and snacks, and me: a guide who worked these lands.

Tour 01 · State Park

Valley of Fire Park Tour

40,000 acres of flame-colored sandstone, 2,000-year-old petroglyphs, Elephant Rock and the Fire Wave. Seven stops, guided at your pace.

6 hours $85 / person 2-4 guests
Tour details
Tour 02 · Three Stops

Sheep, Lake Mead & Hoover Dam

Watch wild bighorn sheep graze a Boulder City park, feed the fish at Lake Mead's boat docks, then walk the rim of Hoover Dam.

6 hours $85 / person 2-4 guests
Tour details
Tour 03 · Scenic Loop

Red Rock Canyon Park Tour

Just west of the city: banded cliffs, a winding scenic drive with pull-over views, and the chance to climb on the formations if you're up for it.

5 hours $85 / person 2-4 guests
Tour details
Tour 04 · On Foot

Scheduled Hikes

Guided hikes from a 30-minute Lone Mountain sunrise to Mary Jane Falls on Mount Charleston. Backpacks provided, trails matched to your legs.

Varies $30-$90 / person 4 trails
See hike options

Making a Reservation

Five steps, no prepayment surprises.

You never pay before I've personally confirmed your date. My calendar is the single source of truth, so a confirmed booking can never be double-booked.

  1. Pick a tour

    Choose your park and check the calendar for open dates.

  2. Send a request

    Name, email, party size, preferred date and pickup spot. Two minutes.

  3. I confirm

    I reply within 24 hours by email to lock in the details.

  4. Hold your date

    A small deposit through the payment app you already use.

  5. Get picked up

    Confirmation email, a text the night before, and me at your door.

Start a booking request How payment works

Guest Reviews

The passport is empty. Be a founding guest.

My tours are new, and I'd rather show you the desert than tell you about it. Reviews from my first guests will live here, unedited. After your tour, I'll ask you to share an honest one.

A group of guests lining up for a photo on the red sandstone during a Valley of Fire tour
Guests on a recent Valley of Fire trip

Open Dates Fill One Tour at a Time

One guide. One vehicle. Four seats.

I run a single tour per day, so a date on the calendar is gone once it's booked. Questions first? The FAQ covers heat, kids, what to bring and whether it beats renting a car.

Check open dates Read the FAQ

Prefer a human? 563-570-0890 · joenichols_13@yahoo.com