Major city · United States
Blue Diamond
A half-day stop from Las Vegas for Red Rock Canyon and burros, not a base. One meal, then back.
Blue Diamond is a tiny town (pop. ~300) 15 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip, used as a quiet lunch stop before or after Red Rock Canyon. The main draw is the scenery and the wild burros that outnumber residents. Most visitors spend 2–3 hours here.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat)
- Airport
- LAS
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Blue Diamond911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Blue Diamond, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLAS Harry Reid International Airport (Las Vegas) (About 30 min drive via NV-160 and NV-159; no public transport direct to Blue Diamond).
- Getting aroundCar required.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LAS Harry Reid International Airport (Las Vegas) (About 30 min drive via NV-160 and NV-159; no public transport direct to Blue Diamond)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Feb
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Mar
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jun
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jul
Avoid
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
Aug
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Sep
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Dec
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (3 rain days), driest May (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Blue Diamond: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
3 rd
Feb
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
3 rd
Mar
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
3 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2 rd
May
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
Jun
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Jul
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
2 rd
Aug
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
2 rd
Sep
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2 rd
Nov
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
2 rd
Dec
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car required. NV-159 (Blue Diamond Road) connects to Las Vegas. No taxi or rideshare guarantee in town.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Red Rock Canyon
goDoor to door: 5 min
Drive 2 miles west on NV-159
Scenic drive and hiking; entry fee $20/vehicle (2026 estimate).
Spring Mountain Ranch State Park
goDoor to door: 5 min
Drive 3 miles south on NV-159
Historic ranch with trails; $10/vehicle.
Las Vegas Strip
goDoor to door: 20–30 min
Drive east on NV-159 to I-15
Full day of casinos, shows and dining.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Las Vegas Strip
All accommodation is in Las Vegas, 15–20 min drive east. Blue Diamond itself has no hotels.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $30–50 (lunch + park entry)
- Mid
- $50–80 (lunch + park entry + drink)
- High
- $80+ (meal + extras)
Watch out
Safety
- Do not feed the burros — it is illegal and they will approach cars.
- No petrol station in Blue Diamond; fill up in Las Vegas.
- Red Rock Canyon entry fee is cash or card; timed entry may be required in peak season — check the BLM site.
- Cell service can be patchy in the canyon.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Blue DiamondBlue Diamond
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
The nearest US embassy is in Washington, DC. For consular services, use the US Department of State website.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Las Vegas Strip → Blue Diamond: About $25–35 by rideshare, 20–30 min
- Red Rock Canyon entry: $20 per vehicle (2026 estimate)
- Spring Mountain Ranch entry: $10 per vehicle, $2 per bike
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much? — How much?
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Blue Diamond. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Blue Diamond
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