Nature/Outdoor Activities around Vegas?

[davebreal]

I'm doing my 4th trip from NJ to LV around New Years. My girlfriend is coming along so I won't be doing too much gambling/poker, and we are planning on renting a car and doing a lot of hiking/exploring.

We are definitely planning on going to Red Rock Canyon, and possibly Lake Mead. Grand Canyon seems like too far of a drive for our 1 week visit. Might head to Death Valley though.

Anyone other good spots to hit within a 2-3 hour radius of Las Vegas?

Also, we will be in Vegas for New Years... any good places to go for that?