Las Vegas Adventure: Red Rock Canyon Natural Conservation Area
Las Vegas is mainly known as an indoor spot. The focus is on dining, entertainment and of course gambling. However, its desert location makes it home to some prime outdoor scenery. For outdoor lovers, Red Rock Canyon is a must-see attraction about a half hour from the Vegas Strip.
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Overview
Red Rock Canyon is a Natural Conservation Area. This is federal land set aside for conservation and protection, as well as public benefit and enjoyment. In 1990, Red Rock Canyon became the seventh such place to be protected by the Natural Conservation Act.
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Of course, the name comes from the red colored formations that line the canyon walls. However, beyond this Red Rock Canyon features mountains that rise from the desert floor to 7,000 feet.
Driving your own car is recommended. Red Rock Canyon features a 13-mile one-way scenic loop drive. This drive goes through the lower portions of the canyon with multiple stops. There are over 20 designated hiking trails that lead off from the Red Rock Canyon loop.
The hikes range from easy to difficult. The most challenging hikes feature climbs of over 2,000 feet to either Turtlehead Peak or Bridge Mountain
Officially, the Red Rock Canyon area is a 25-mile drive from the Las Vegas Strip. However, as the crow flies it is about 10 miles due west. Our favorite hike in Red Rock Canyon, Calico Tanks, has spectacular views of the Strip.
Fees
The cost to enter Red Rock Canyon is $15 per vehicle ($10 motorcycle). Pedestrians or bikes are $5 per person. An annual pass is $30 person.
If you are planning on visiting multiple national parks on a trip we strongly recommend the annual America the Beautiful National Park Pass. For $80 a year this allows entrance to most national parks for a year (exceptions include places like Alcatraz). Most national parks charge per vehicle so pretty much an entire family (or however many people you can jam into your car or RV) can get in on one pass. Note U.S. Military get in for free and people over the age of 62 get a lifetime pass for $80. If you are lucky to have a fourth grader you can get a free pass that works for the entire family.
Visitor Center
Red Rock Canyon features a state-of-the -art visitor center. The visitor center is located at the entrance to the park at the start of the 13-mile Scenic Drive.
The visitor center features indoor exhibits as well as a large outdoor exhibit area. The outdoor area has wonderful views of the Red Rocks and mountains beyond.
The outdoor exhibits are themed around the four major elements: earth, air, fire and water. These are interpretive exhibits with hands-on activities.
There is also a desert tortoise area in the outdoor exhibit. These tortoises can be hard to find as they blend in with the desert surrounding.
Scenic Drive
One of the best things about Red Rock Canyon is that you can see many of the sites without getting out of your car. This is good not only for families with young children and people with disabilities but also for summer visiting. The Las Vegas area, especially in summer, can be prone to extreme heat. There will be many days where hiking is not an option.
From the Visitor Center the 13-mile scenic loop goes around the major rock formations. The maximum speed limit is 35 mph on the Scenic Drive. There are multiple places to pullover and take pictures. In other words, don’t let weather stop you from a visit to Red Rock.
For more active visitors, the Scenic Drive goes to the start of multiple trails and areas for exploration. You can find a full guide here.
Activities
Hiking
Hiking is our favorite activity at Red Rock Canyon. However, we admit we have really only focused on one hike, Calico Tanks. We always say we will try more hikes, but we love Calico Tanks so much we keep coming back.
Overall, there are over 20 designated trails that start right off the Scenic Drive. These trails are well-marked and you can get maps at the entrance.
Calico Tanks is a moderate hike. However, there are many easy hikes under 2 miles with minimal elevation gain. There are also difficult hikes that can be over 10 miles with steep elevation climbs up to 2,000 feet.
Note that some of the hikes, including Calico Tanks, require scrambling over boulders. The difficulty comes not from the length of the hike or elevation gain, but the amount of rock climbing you have to do. If you have questions about the difficulty you can ask at the visitor’s center.
Horseback Riding
There are several designated equestrian trails in Red Rock Canyon. You can bring your own horse or take a guided tour.
Biking
The 13-mile Scenic Drive is paved and is popular for road bicycles. The cost of entry is $5 per bike. There is about 1,000 feet of elevation gain/loss on the drive so it is not recommended for young children or beginners.
Most hiking trails are off limits to bikes. There are some dedicated mountain biking trails, but these are off the main Scenic Drive area. The Mountain Bike Project site has guides to the trails in the area.
Rock Climbing
Red Rock Canyon is popular for its rock climbing. It is considered one of the premiere rock-climbing spots in the world. You will see many climbers along the rocks surrounding the trails.
We only do moderate rock scrambling. However, if you are serious about rock climbing there are several guidebooks. In addition, the visitor’s center provides guides and suggestions.
Camping
There is one campground area at Red Rock, two miles east of the visitor’s center. Because of the heat, the campground is closed in summer. Reservations are made at the government web site.
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