Fun Things to Do in Mesquite Nevada: Slot Canyons, Golf and More

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Things to Do in Mesquite Nevada - Mesquite Sign
Welcome to Mesquite! Photo credit: Shutterstock

Drive 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas and you’ll find the small town of Mesquite, Nevada. Idyllically located at Nevada’s border with Arizona, Mesquite, NV provides a haven for golfers, hikers, casino fans, and anyone in love with captivating sunsets. Championship golf courses keep residents and visitors busy in town.

For explorations beyond town, Mesquite, NV makes the ideal home base. Within a day’s drive you’ll find: twelve national monuments, six national forests, three national recreation areas, numerous state parks, and nine national parks including big names like Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, and the Grand Canyon. Let’s explore this Nevada gem’s top attractions and epic day trips.

Things to Do in Mesquite Nevada - Mesquite’s Idyllic Landscapes
Mesquite’s Idyllic Landscapes Photo credit: Shutterstock

Virgin Valley Heritage Museum

35 W Mesquite Blvd., Mesquite, NV 89027

Listed on the US National Register of Historic Places, the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum strives to preserve and protect the local history of the Virgin Valley which includes Mesquite, Bunkerville, and Southern Nevada. The museum displays collections focused on the courage, devotion, and sacrifice of the early pioneer settlers in the Virgin Valley.  

Mesquite Fine Arts Center

15 W Mesquite Blvd., Mesquite, NV 89027

Promoting the arts for all ages and cultures in the Virgin Valley, the Mesquite Fine Arts Center provides a venue for local artists and crafters to learn, develop, share, and display their works. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday 10 am – 4 pm.

Lost City Museum

721 S Moapa Valley Blvd., Overton, NV 89040

Located 40 miles outside of Mesquite, the Lost City Museum was built in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Established by the National Park Service, the museum exhibits artifacts recovered from local prehistoric archaeological sites. NPS turned the museum over to Nevada in the mid-1950s and it is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Lost City Museum features three exhibition galleries, a screening room, a research library, and a museum store. Outside exhibits include a Native American pit house and reconstructed pueblos.

Camel Safari

2725 River Cliff Rd., Bunkerville, NV 89007

Five miles southwest of Mesquite in Bunkerville, camels are waiting for you. Camel Safari is a ZAA-accredited zoo providing up-close and personal encounters with camels and exotic animals. Two-hour guided and interpreted safaris aim to educate guests about the animals with hands-on experiences. You choose your ride either on the back of one of the fascinating camels, aboard the Safari Tram, or on ATVs.

Skydive Mesquite

1200 Kitty Hawk Dr. UNIT 105., Mesquite, NV 89027

Boasting the largest full-service drop zone in Nevada, Skydive Mesquite welcomes skydivers of any level – including newbies. If you’re ready to check skydiving off your bucket list, you won’t beat the vistas surrounding Mesquite. Ready, set, jump!

Things to Do in Mesquite Nevada - Little Finland Rock Formation in Gold Butte National Monument
Little Finland Rock Formation in Gold Butte National Monument. Photo credit: Shutterstock

Gold Butte National Monument

There are several places in Nevada with “I can’t believe it’s real” landscapes. Gold Butte National Monument is one of those. Located about 10 miles from Mesquite, Gold Butte National Monument covers nearly 300 acres of remote, rigged desert landscape. Twisting canyons, Joshua Tree-clad mountains, and chiseled red sandstone punctuate sections of the Mojave Desert within the national monument. Among the highlights of this stunning slice of nature is Little Finland. Here gnarlyl winid-swept red rock formations display fin-like shapes earning this visually stunning attraction its name.

Hiking trails lead to petroglyphs dating back thousands of years and the Gold Butte Backcountry Byway leads to a mining ghost town. Rough and rugged, the byway feels like an off-road adventure, and 4-wheel drive is recommended.

Note: There are no services in Gold Butte National Monument which means no restrooms and very limited if any cell service. Take plenty of water!

Tee Off On Championship Golf Courses

Paradise for golfers, Mesquite features seven courses in town and many more nearby. The first course built in the Mesquite, Nevada area, The Palms Golf Club started the golf boom in this community. Ranked #5 among Nevada’s public golf courses, Conestoga Golf Club meanders through the heart of the Mesquite community showcasing the dramatic beauty of its location. Undulating through canyons, rugged rock outcroppings, and tranquil water features, this is one course where you’ll want to bring your camera.

Coyote Springs Golf Club carries the #4 public course ranking in Nevada. Designer, Jack Nicklaus and company spared no expense in creating this spectacular oasis. The #3 spot for public courses in Nevada goes to Wolf Creek Golf Club. Golfers around the world come to Wolf Creek Golf Club to experience the ultimate golf adventure where each of the 18 holes and the fairways add drama to this stunning golf course. The wow factor continues at Falcon Ridge Golf Course one of the most picturesque golf courses in the state. This 6,550-yard par 72 desert boasts spectacular elevation changes, high mesa views, and numerous water features. Even better, there’s a track that’s playable for all classes of golfers.

Things to Do in Mesquite Nevada - Dramatic Holes at Wolf Creek Golf Club
Dramatic Holes at Wolf Creek Golf Club. Photo Courtesy of Wolf Creek

More Golf From the Legendary Arnold Palmer

Nestled in the Virgin River Valley, the Oasis Golf Club is Arnold Palmer’s masterpiece featuring the Palmer & Canyons Golf Courses. The Oasis is home to over 350 members and is Mesquite’s only semi-private facility. Non-members can make reservations up to 90 days in advance. Guests may book tee times on the website’s homepage. Guests seeking golf packages that include Oasis’ two courses and/or lodging can book up to 180 days in advance.

Covering 29,000 square feet, Oasis Golf Clubhouse is nestled between the Arnold Palmer-designed course and the Canyons course. The clubhouse also houses the biggest golf shop in Mesquite.

Things to Do in Mesquite Nevada - Hiking through Snow Canyon State Park in Utah
Hiking through Snow Canyon State Park in Utah. Photo credit: Gregory Holder

Spectacular Day Trips from Mesquite, NV

If you’re up for a day trip you’re in luck. Mesquite provides easy access to some truly amazing places. Head northeast for 30 miles to reach St. George, Utah. Here you’ll find the St. George Temple and Visitor Center – the first Morman temple completed in the west. St. George is also home to the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm where the museum’s boardwalk is built over the top of layers of prehistoric tracks. Nearby the Snow Canyon State Park offers 16 miles of hiking trails, technical rock climbing, biking, and horseback riding set against a backdrop of towering sandstone cliffs in shades of red and white. The park also features black lava rock caps and several lava tubes.

Head fifty miles southwest of Mesquite to explore the Valley of Fire State Park. Nevada’s largest and oldest state park, the Valley of Fire State Park is also one of the state’s most impressive parks. Fiery red sandstone formations dot the landscape along with petroglyphs dating back thousands of years. Hiking trails lead to slot canyons in shades of pink, purple, white, and red. Jaw-dropping vistas emerge at every turn. A scenic drive cuts through the middle of the park and if you time that drive for sunset, it’s an experience you’ll never forget.

Things to Do in Mesquite Nevada - Hiking in Valley of Fire State Park.
Hiking in Valley of Fire State Park. Photo credit: Gregory Holder

Where to Stay & Play

This is Nevada and that means casinos. These properties provide a place to stay and play. And, at Casablanca Resort, there’s also more golf.

Casablanca Resort

950 W. Mesquite Blvd., Mesquite, NV 89027

A full-service resort, Casablanca boasts over 450 deluxe tower rooms and suites. A spacious clean-air 24-hour casino features video poker, slot machines, card tables for Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Three Card Poker, Pai Gow, and Race and Sports Book. is a beautiful full-service Mesquite resort offering over 450 deluxe tower rooms and suites. Casablanca has a spacious, clean-air, 24-hour casino featuring video poker and slot machines. For golfers, the resort’s Cal Olson-designed 18-hole CasaBlanca Golf Club awaits. Cool off in a lagoon pool with a water slide. And when you’re ready for a bit of pampering book an appointment a Casablanca’s world-class co-ed spa. Dining options include fine dining at Katherine’s, the Casa Cafe, and Mesa Buffet. Looking for nightlife? The onsite Skydome Lounge features live entertainment from Tuesday through Sunday.

Eureka Casino Resort

275 Mesa Blvd., Mesquite, NV 89027

A 60-acre resort with stellar views of mountains and red mesa, Eureka Casino Resort brings luxury to Mesquite. Blending stylish, contemporary décor with exceptional amenities, Eureka Casino Resort rooms and suites provide the ideal getaway for friends, couples, and families. The onsite casino features nearly 1,000 slots and video poker machines, a newly expanded sportsbook, and live table games. Surrounded by tranquil gardens, the heated outdoor pool offers private cabanas and luxury chaise lounges.

For golf-loving guests, Eureka Casino Resort has an exclusive partnership with Wolf Creek Golf Club. TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award 2022 was awarded to Gregory’s Mesquite Grill at Eureka Casino Resort. And, the resort’ Town Square Buffet is a TripAdvisor Restaurant Certificate of Excellence Winner.

Virgin River Hotel & Casino

100 E Pioneer Blvd., Mesquite, NV 89027

For a budget-friendly lodging option, check into the Virgin River Hotel & Casino. The property provides more than 700 discount rooms starting as low as $27. Amenities include a pool, free parking, restaurants, and the lively Virgin River Casino well-known for its exciting table games and friendly dealers.

Based in New York City, Terri Marshall is an award-winning writer covering cultural travel, multi-generational travel, road trips, soft-adventure, camping, cars and characters. From hanging out with penguins in Antarctica to fishing for piranhas in Peru to road-tripping through the jungles of Belize, Terri’s always up for an adventure. Drop her into a landscape filled with mountains, towering evergreens, waterfalls and a glacier or two and she’ll be in heaven. But what thrills her most of all is traveling with her teenage grandkids. Terri serves on the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Committee for the North American Travel Journalist Association (NATJA). She also serves as the First Vice-Chair of the Eastern Chapter for the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW). In addition to writing for SheBuysTravel, Terri’s publication credits include AARP, Island Soul, Girl Camper Magazine, A Girls Guide to Cars, CHILLED, World Footprints, North Hills Monthly, Alaska Business Monthly, Alaska Contractor and more. Follow her on Instagram at TrippingWithTerri.
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