Seven Magic Mountains Day Trips from Las Vegas

The work of Ugo Rondinone, located half an hour from The Strip, is one of the most visited attractions on the outskirts of Las Vegas. Here are the best alternatives to visit it.

Matías Rodríguez

Matías Rodríguez

10 min read

Seven Magic Mountains Day Trips from Las Vegas

Grupo de personas viendo las siete montañas| ©Jason Speck

Among the many activities you can see and do in Las Vegas, one of the most striking is to visit the Seven Magic Mountains, a work of the renowned Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone composed of seven individual stone sculptures that pay tribute to the meditative balance of the rocks and human activity in the desert.

Located 40 kilometers from The Strip, the heart of Las Vegas, the Seven Magic Mountains are a must-see among the activities around Sin City and also one of the best places for photographs, with the desert in the background and the golden Nevada sunsets.

1. Seven Magic Mountains and California Desert Express Tour from Las Vegas

Group of people visiting the seven mountains| ©Wesley Tingey
Group of people visiting the seven mountains| ©Wesley Tingey

If you are planning a few days stay in town or just want to visit the Seven Magic Mountains, these express tours fit perfectly into your travel itinerary, as you can experience this attraction with a comfortable round trip transfer with hotel pick up and ride through the California desert.

On these tours you can take some of the best pictures of the desert and the colors of the Seven Magic Mountains.

I recommend that you choose an afternoon option so you can watch the sunset from the artistic monument and then observe The Strip illuminated by the endless neon lights, one of the best plans in Las Vegas at night

These tours also include a stop at the famous sign that welcomes visitors to Las Vegas. All this in approximately two hours and with the convenience of organized transfers.

Details of interest

  • Price of the excursion... Approximately 60 euros per person including round trip transfer with hotel pick up.
  • Duration of the tour... Approximately 2 hours.
  • Advantages of this tour... It is an ideal option if you plan to stay for a short time in the city or do not want to do a full day tour.

Book a night tour in Las Vegas

2. Seven Magic Mountains and Death Valley One Day Tour from Las Vegas

distant view of colorful rocks| ©Mike Legeros
distant view of colorful rocks| ©Mike Legeros

The Nevada desert has many attractions, so it is very common for tours of the Seven Magic Mountains to include other visits as well. One of the most interesting is touring Death Valley, which is known for its extreme weather conditions all year round.

On these day tours you can see the Seven Magic Mountains and also Death Valley, which is one of the best National Park tours from Las Vegas.

This valley is characterized by its permanent drought and extreme heat, although in the high peaks the winter snow does not melt and the storms generate a flourishing vegetation in the heights, forming oases and unmissable landscapes.

At the Seven Magic Mountains you will have time to take pictures and a local guide will tell you the history of this monument of limestone rocks colored by the artist Ugo Rondinone that has become a tourist reference of the city since its creation.

Details of interest

  • Price of the excursion... Approximately €200 per person including round trip transfer with hotel pick-up, entrance to the Valley of Death, visit to the Seven Magic Mountains and the assistance of a local guide.
  • Duration of the tour... Approximately 8 hours.
  • Advantages of this tour... It is an interesting option to visit, in addition to the Seven Magic Mountains, one of the most famous National Parks in the United States.

Book a tour to the National Parks from Las Vegas

3. Tricycle adventure tour of the Seven Magic Mountains from Las Vegas

man and woman on a red tricycle| ©poca-traça
man and woman on a red tricycle| ©poca-traça

If in addition to visiting the Seven Magic Mountains you want to do it on an adventure tour, these tours could be ideal for you.

With them you will be able to rent a Can Am Ryder tricycle and take a self-guided tour to the Nevada desert, passing by other main points of The Strip.

In this private experience you will start the adventure on The Strip and enjoy a tour of the desert trails on a tricycle all the way to the Seven Magic Mountains. Being your own tour guide you will be able to manage your own time and decide the stops during the time of the tour.

Please note that you must be of legal age and have a valid driver's license to take this tour. If you are traveling in Las Vegas with children, they can accompany you. This adventure tour will guide you to your destination on safe roads.

Details of interest

  • Price of the tour... Approximately 150 euros per person.
  • Duration of the tour... Approximately 2 hours.
  • Advantages of this tour... It is a different option to travel on your own through the Nevada desert to the Seven Magic Mountains.
  • Disadvantages of this tour... It is a not very economical option, in which you will be charged a refundable deposit of approximately 250 euros plus 35 euros for rental insurance.

Book an ATV tour in Las Vegas

4. Day trip to Seven Magic Mountains and Valley of Fire from Las Vegas

people visiting the seven magic mountains| ©azbuckeye001
people visiting the seven magic mountains| ©azbuckeye001

On these excursions, in addition to the Seven Magic Mountains, you will be able to discover the Valley of Fire, which is one of the must-see sites of the city' s peripheral landscape.

In the valley you will get to know one of the most visited hiking destinations in Nevada, its sandstone rock formations and also one of the best views of Las Vegas. Afterwards you will visit the Ugo Rondinone monument.

At the Seven Magic Mountains you will have time to take pictures and be assisted by an expert local guide who will tell you the history of this limestone rock monument and its significance as an artistic totem.

Visiting this work at the end of the day will provide you with one of the best sunsets in the city, especially if you visit Las Vegas in the winter when it gets dark earlier in the day.

These tours are for small groups, so you will have the permanent assistance of the guide. Generally, these tours include round-trip hotel pick-up and drop-off and drop-off at the Valley of Fire in the price, so it's a tour that saves you time and money.

Details of interest

  • Price of the tour... Approximately 150 euros per person, including the entrance fees to the Valley of Fire, the assistance of a local guide and the round trip transfers with hotel pick up.
  • Duration of the tour... Approximately 8 hours.
  • Advantages of this tour... It is a good value for money option, which will also save you time with the transfers.

5. Small group tour to the Seven Magic Mountains, Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam from Las Vegas

colorful rocks| ©Mountain Corey
colorful rocks| ©Mountain Corey

The surrounding area of Las Vegas has many attractions to discover and a tour like this will save you time and money to visit several of them. In addition to the Seven Magic Mountains, these tours also offer a tour of the Grand Canyon and a trip to the Hoover Dam.

At the Grand Canyon, one of the most visited attractions in the United States each year, you can explore the Eagle Point and Guano Point overlooks for three hours and also get some of the best wild photography in Arizona.

You can also see the Hoover Dam, one of the engineering marvels of the 20th century that separates the states of Nevada and Arizona. Finally, you will visit the main course, the Seven Magic Mountains of Las Vegas, one of Ugo Rondinone's most recognized works and also a ubiquitous reference in photographs of the Las Vegas skyline.

These tours generally include round-trip transfers with hotel pick-up, full breakfast, skip-the-line entrance fees and the round-the-clock assistance of an expert local guide.

Details of interest

  • Tour price... Approximately 200 euros per person, including round-trip transfers with hotel pick-up, assistance of a local guide, breakfast and skip-the-line entrance fees.
  • Duration of the tour... Approximately 10 to 12 hours.
  • Advantages of this tour... It is one of the most complete options to see three of the most visited attractions outside Las Vegas.

Book a Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and 7 Magic Mountains tour from Las Vegas

How to book a tour to the Seven Magic Mountains from Las Vegas?

woman with laptop| © Brooke Cagle
woman with laptop| © Brooke Cagle

You can book a tour to the Seven Magic Mountains online in advance or book the tour once you are in Las Vegas.

Keep in mind that the influx of tourists to the city remains constant throughout the year, so I advise you to book in advance to avoid delays and price increases.

If you visit Las Vegas during Christmas you will find a large number of visitors, but also a greater supply of services due to the volume of tourists.

This means that Christmas Eve can be a good time to take a full tour of the city's outskirts, as well as access to the best shows in Las Vegas or take a helicopter tour.

Book a helicopter tour in Las Vegas

How long is a tour to the Seven Magic Mountains from Las Vegas?

people around the colored rocks| ©Alex Papa
people around the colored rocks| ©Alex Papa

The answer depends on the tour booked, as you can opt for express tours to the Seven Magic Mountains or a full-day tour that also includes visits to other sites such as the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam or the Valley of Fire.

Full-day tours last between 8 and 12 hours, while express tours last approximately 2 hours, which can be a good option if you are only interested in seeing the Seven Magic Mountains or if you are planning a short stay in the city.

In case you only have two days in Las Vegas, here is a list of activities to make the most of your stay.

What will I see on a trip to the Seven Magic Mountains from Las Vegas?

aerial view of the colored rocks in the desert| ©Greg Meyer MD(H)
aerial view of the colored rocks in the desert| ©Greg Meyer MD(H)

If you choose the tours that only include a visit to the Seven Magic Mountains, you will discover the most famous work of the plastic artist Ugo Rondinone, consisting of seven totem poles of colorfully painted limestone pieces that pay homage to nature and also to human activity in the desert.

If you opt for tours that, in addition to the Seven Magic Mountains, include other attractions on the outskirts of Las Vegas, you can also marvel at the Grand Canyon and its viewpoints, the impressive Valleys of Fire and Death Valley and the Hoover Dam, which is one of the most striking engineering works of the twentieth century.

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Tips for a tour to the Seven Magic Mountains from Las Vegas

sunset overlooking the colorful rocks| ©gezeebeezee
sunset overlooking the colorful rocks| ©gezeebeezee

To get the most out of a visit to the Seven Magic Mountains, I advise you to visit the site in the evening hours, to enjoy, in addition to the monument, one of the best sunsets in the city.

If you visit Las Vegas in December and the sky is clear, you will be able to watch the sun set as it reflects on the desert sand.

If you have enough time in Las Vegas to take a day trip that includes other sites besides the Seven Magic Mountains and this fits your budget, I advise you to also visit other worthwhile sites near the city, such as the valleys or the Grand Canyon to optimize your experience.

How much does a tour to the Seven Magic Mountains from Las Vegas cost?

person with black wallet in hand| © Emil Kalibradov
person with black wallet in hand| © Emil Kalibradov

The answer depends on the tour you choose, because while Las Vegas is not a very budget-friendly city, there are options for every budget.

An express excursion to the Seven Magic Mountains is around 60 euros, and is one of the cheapest alternatives you can find.

If you want a full-day excursion that also includes other sites in the Nevada and Arizona desert, prices start at 150 euros.

When choosing the tour that best suits your budget and travel plan, I advise you to pay special attention to the services included in the tour, especially meals and entrance fees to attractions.

Book a walking tour of the Hoover Dam with Seven Magic Mountains

Why is it advisable to take a tour to the Seven Magic Mountains from Las Vegas?

girl with camera at the seven magic mountains| ©Astin Ferreras
girl with camera at the seven magic mountains| ©Astin Ferreras

Las Vegas is a city in constant movement and besides having the best casinos and some of the best museums it also has very interesting attractions in its surroundings.

The Seven Magic Mountains is one of those attractions and you will be amazed to know it and be able to take one of the best pictures of Las Vegas.

Also note that the location of the Seven Magic Mountains in the Nevada desert makes it a great place for you to attend one of the best sunsets in the city.

What are the advantages of taking a guided tour vs. visiting the Seven Magic Mountains on my own?

man looking at the colorful rocks| ©Cara
man looking at the colorful rocks| ©Cara

The Seven Magic Mountains are located on the outskirts of Las Vegas, so if you're not visiting the city by car accessing the site by public transportation can be a bit inconvenient.

A tour of the monument will save you time, especially if you are planning a short stay in the city, and will also ensure you get to know the site better with the assistance of a local guide.

Note also that tours usually choose the best times for their visits so you can enjoy the best views without having to worry about organizing the excursion on your own.