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 ways 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 by renowned Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone comprised of seven individual stone sculptures that pay homage to the meditative balance of the rocks and human activity in the desert.

Located 40 kilometres 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 backdrop and 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 short stay in the city 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 hotel pick-up and drop-off and ride through the California desert.

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

I recommend you choose an afternoon option so you can watch the sunset from the art monument and then see The Strip illuminated by the endless neon lights, one of the best things to do 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 organised transfers.

Details of interest

  • Tourprice... Approximately 60 euros per person including round trip transfer and hotel pick up.
  • Duration of tour... Approximately 2 hours.
  • Advantages of this tour... This is an ideal option if you plan to stay only 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 Day Tour from Las Vegas

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

The Nevada desert has many attractions, so it's not uncommon for tours of the Seven Magic Mountains to include other visits as well. One of the most interesting is Death Valley, which is known for its year-round extreme weather conditions.

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 characterised by permanent drought and extreme heat, although the high peaks of the valley are not subject to winter snow melt and storms generate a flourishing vegetation at high altitudes, forming oases and landscapes that are not to be missed.

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 coloured by the artist Ugo Rondinone, which has become a tourist landmark of the city since its creation.

Details of interest

  • Price of the excursion... Approximately 200 euros per person including the transfer to and from the hotel, the entrance to the Valley of Death, the visit to the Seven Magic Mountains and the assistance of a local guide.
  • Duration of 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. Seven Magic Mountains Tricycle Adventure Tour from Las Vegas

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

If you want to visit the Seven Magic Mountains on an adventure tour, these tours might be just right for you.

You can rent a Can Am Ryder tricycle and take a self-guided tour to the Nevada desert and other highlights of The Strip.

On this private experience you will start your 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 along the way.

Please note that you must be of legal age and have a valid driving licence to do this tour. If you are travelling 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... Not a very economical option, you will be charged a refundable deposit of approximately 250 euros plus 35 euros for rental insurance.

Book an off-road tour in Las Vegas

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

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

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

In the valley you will see one of Nevada's most visited hiking destinations, 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 will 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 landmark 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 winter when it gets dark earlier in the day.

These tours are for small groups, so you will have the constant assistance of your guide. These tours usually include round-trip hotel pick-up and drop-off and admission to the Valley of Fire in the price, so you can save time and money on your visit.

Details of interest

  • Price of the tour... Approximately 150 euros per person, including entrance fees to the Valley of Fire, the assistance of a local guide and transfers to and from the hotel.
  • 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

coloured rocks| ©Mountain Corey
coloured rocks| ©Mountain Corey

The Las Vegas area has many attractions to discover and a tour like this will save you the 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 America's most visited attractions 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'll visit the main course, the Seven Magic Mountains of Las Vegas, one of Ugo Rondinone's most recognisable works and also a ubiquitous landmark 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 a knowledgeable local guide.

Details of interest

  • Tourprice... Approximately 200 Euros per person, including hotel pick-up and return transfers, assistance of a local guide, breakfast and skip-the-line entry to attractions.
  • Duration of tour... Approximately 10-12 hours.
  • Advantages of this tour... This is one of the most comprehensive options to see three of the most visited attractions outside of Las Vegas.

Book a Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam & 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 the Christmas season you will find a large number of visitors, but also a greater number of services offered 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 of Las Vegas

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

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

The answer depends on the tour you book, 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's 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 coloured rocks in the desert| ©Greg Meyer MD(H)
aerial view of the coloured 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 visual artist Ugo Rondinone, which consists of seven totem poles of colourfully 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 breathtaking Valleys of Fire and Death Valley and the Hoover Dam, which is one of the most striking engineering works of the 20th century.

Book a Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour from Las Vegas

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

sunset overlooking the coloured rocks| ©gezeebeezee
sunset overlooking the coloured rocks| ©gezeebeezee

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

If you visit Las Vegas in December and the skies are clear, you can watch the sun set as it reflects off the desert sand.

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

How much does a trip 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 budget-friendly city, there are options to suit all budgets.

An express tour to the Seven Magic Mountains costs around 60 euros and is one of the cheapest options you can find.

If you want a full-day tour 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 Hoover Dam Walking Tour 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 on the move and as well as having the best casinos and some of the best museums it also has some very interesting attractions in the surrounding area.

The Seven Magic Mountains is one of those attractions and you will be amazed to see it and take some of the best photographs of Las Vegas.

Also note that the location of the Seven Magic Mountains in the Nevada desert makes it a great place to catch 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 coloured rocks| ©Cara
man looking at the coloured 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 transport can be a little inconvenient.

A tour of the monument will save you time, especially if you're 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.

Also note that tours often choose the best times for their visits so you can enjoy the best sights without having to worry about organising the tour yourself.