The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is located about 20 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip. From nearly every vantage point in the city you can look to the west and see these majestic red rocks towering above the skyline.
Image: SAllgood
Red Rock is located in one of the easternmost parts of the Mojave Desert; the lowest elevation of the area. The beautiful sandstone peaks and walls are a popular destination for rock climbing and hiking and the area is visited by over two million people each year.
The Conservation area also hosts over 600 species of plants and many types of wildlife as well. On any given day you can see burros, rabbits, maybe even some bighorn sheep in the elevations.
It’s also a national conservation area for the desert tortoise and the Visitor Center actually houses as many as 10 tortoises.
The visitor center is located just inside the park entrance on the 13 mile, one-way, scenic loop road which is a gorgeous drive. Check out all fees and passes here.
From this road there are many side roads and parking areas where you can access various trailheads. Here is a list of the many adventurous things to do in Red Rock Canyon.
Reservations for entry to the Scenic Drive are required October 1 through May 31. Please use the link to reserve your time before you head out.
The Visitor Center and the Elements Gift Shop are open daily 8am-4:30pm. The Gift Shop online store can be found at shopredrock.org.
Timed Entry reservations are available online, along with daily entry passes, and visitors with an annual or lifetime pass can enter their pass type (Annual, Senior, etc.) during the “Order Details” section of the checkout process.
If you would like to purchase an annual or lifetime pass during your visit, that option is also available under the “Add a pass” drop-down menu.
Make your reservation here: Red Rock Reservations for Timed Entry
For more information please visit the following links:
– BLM Timed Entry Frequently Asked Questions
Image: SAllgood
Hiking– There are 19 well mapped hiking trails on the loop, ranging from .75 miles to 6 miles. If you have never been to Red Rock, please be sure you click the national parks link above for up to date closures, hours, trail descriptions and general precautions. These things can change often and without notice so please be sure to get the exact info you may need.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Calico Tanks, which leads to a hidden water basin and has views of the city. It’s a moderate 2-hour hike, but is worth it if we’ve had a rainy year.
White Rock- LaMadre Springs Loop- This is a 6-mile, moderate difficulty hike that takes about 3-4 hours. It will surely tire you out but the scenery is worth it. Be sure to bring plenty of water for this one.
Lost Creek- Children’s Discovery- This is an easy 1 hour hike through trees and rock that leads to a hidden waterfall and is suitable for children. Sometimes in the winter months, you can find the water frozen, its breathtaking.
Ice Box Canyon- This hike is 2.6 miles, moderate difficulty and takes approximately 2.5 hours. Once through the initial desert, this hike leads into a cool, shady box canyon and may even have a seasonal waterfall.
Driving-The 13- mile scenic loop allows visitors to take in the beauty of the canyon from their vehicle or bicycle. There are many scenic stops along the way and plenty of photo opportunities.
Daily rates to enter the park and scenic loop are $20 per vehicle, $10 for motorcycles and scooters. A better deal, or for those that frequent the area, a $30 per person annual pass can also be purchased. The scenic loop opens at 6am everyday and closes at sunset, which varies from 5pm-8pm depending on the season.
Biking– There are a number of options for those that want to bike the Red Rock Loop. It begins heading mostly up on an incline, then levels out and heads into the second half of the loop as downhill.
It’s a $5 entry fee for bikes if you have your own, or there are rental options for tourists or locals who don’t own bikes. Prices range from ½ day electric bike tours from $90, to mountain bike tours around $135, and road bike tours at $130.
You can even rent scooters or segways to tour the loop. Most of these tours will shuttle you from the Strip or a local bike shop and back. Links and info for many of the tours can be found here.
Image: SAllgood
Picnics– There are four picnic areas in Red Rock. One near the Visitor Center, which is just inside the loop entry, another about halfway around the loop called Willow Springs Picnic Area.
Here you’ll find trash cans, approximately 28 picnic tables and toilets. There’s the Red Rock Scenic Overlook Picnic Area, which is located on Route 159 and does not require paying park access.
Then there is the Red Spring Picnic Area, which is located two miles east of the visitor center on Calico Basin Road. This area is also free to access and has covered picnic tables, trash, and toilets, as well as bbq grills in the colder months.
Bbq grills are allowed in Red Rock during most of the cooler months. Please keep in mind that all picnic areas are a first come, first serve basis and groups larger than 15 may require a permit.
Camping– Red Rock has one developed camping area. It’s located 2 miles east of the visitor center on Charleston Blvd. then one mile south on Moenkopi Road. The campground is accessible 24 hours a day and is a mix of tent and RV camping, individual and group sites.
There is no electrical, water or sewer hook ups, or showers here and toilets are vault toilets. Please note the campground is closed during the summer months. More detailed camping information can be found here.
Horseback Riding– Another way to enjoy the beautiful scenery is by horseback. There are designated horseback riding trails in Red Rock for anyone who has horses, and there are also designated tour guides for visitors without. Check the Bureau of Land Management website for more info.
Pink Jeep Tours
For those that want to splurge a little, Pink Adventure Tours offers guided tours of Red Rock Canyon with pickup right from your hotel, for $114 per person. Admission and fees is included, it features a personal guided and narrated tour, and unlimited bottled water in their famous Pink Jeeps.
No children under 3 allowed on the tour. For reservations and more info, check out their website. They offer tours from The Las Vegas Strip, to the Grand Canyon and Valley of Fire. Private tours and Air, Land & See tours are also available.
With so many ways to experience the stunning Red Rock Canyon, you’re sure to have a memorable experience just a short drive away from the Las Vegas lights.
Late exit and overnight permits will not be issued until further notice. Parking is only permitted in parking lots and not along the Scenic Drive. When the parking lots are full and the area hits capacity, the gates will be temporarily closed until the area drops below capacity.
∗ Be aware of the forecast. Summer can be extremely hot in the Mojave Desert. Average highs at Red Rock Canyon reach the mid-90s°F during summer and certainly reach above 100°F during heat waves.
Avoid outdoor activities during Excessive Heat Warnings, Watches, and/or Advisories. Red Rock Canyon’s forecast can be found here: National Weather Service
∗ Schedule outdoor activities carefully. Try to limit your outdoor activities to early morning (before 10AM) and evening hours (after 6PM) to avoid excessive heat and UV exposure. Rest often and in shaded areas if possible.
Check out all the safety precautions on the website and be prepared.
Free Passes to National Parks
There are lots of options for Free annual passes to National Parks. Military, disabilities, or even a 4th grader, get in free to U.S. National Parks. See the whole list of passes available here, including a Free Access pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Passes available for Seniors over age 62, both Annual and Lifetime.
You can purchase a Senior pass for $20 or $80 in person at a federal recreation site, online, or through the mail using the application provided at the link. Annual Passes for everyone, and don’t forget free passes for US 4th Graders.
Or, check out Lake Mead National Recreation area in our post Things to do at Lake Mead.
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