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Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Rating Details »
1000 Scenic Dr
Las Vegas, NV 89124
(702) 515-5350
Las Vegas, NV 89124
(702) 515-5350
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
88 reviews for Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
This is a terrific and easy day trip just 15 minutes from the Strip. You will be astonished at how easy it is to forget about all that money you lost in Las Vegas and enjoy the quiet drive through the Red Rock conservation area. There are a lot of scenic stops and you may even spy a wild donkey or two :D
Remember to bring your camera (or your smart phone - but be warned both Verizon & AT&T get limited service out here so your tweets and geo location check-ins will have to wait until you come down from the mountain). Skip the "Springs" and spend some time at Callico #1 which is a super easy-for-everyone 10 minute rock climbing adventure. You'll also get some amazing photos for your scrapbooks.
The best part is that while it's extremely gorgeous and quiet here, it's not far from civilization. Red Rock Canyon Casino is just up the road a piece as is dining and entertainment - so after spending a nice couple of hours here, it's easy to get right back on the road to Vice
If you find yourself with increasing night blindness from all the casino hopping you've been doing on the Strip, you may want to consider a detour to Red Rock Canyon. The chief appeal is its proximity to Vegas proper, probably about a twenty-minute drive west of the Strip on Charleston Blvd past a whole lot of suburban sprawl. It gives you a vivid albeit modest taste of the pleasures to be had in the canyon country that dominates this part of the state as well as northern Arizona and southern Utah.
I say "modest taste" because the formations are not all that dramatic compared to, say, the Valley of Fire about two hours away. However, the views can be striking, even from the pullouts off the thirteen-mile scenic road. There are only three or four stops that are genuinely worthwhile for further exploring, but frankly, that's enough since you have a hot pair of dice waiting for you back at the craps table. There is a $5 entrance fee, and it leads directly to the worthwhile visitors' center with the big lizard sculpture in the middle of the floor.
By the way, the drive actually doesn't cut through Red Rock Canyon. What you're really seeing are the Wilson Cliffs. You can get to the real canyon only by four-wheel drive. There's your trivia. Regardless, there are plenty of photographic opportunities (see mine among the hundreds in the gallery), and face it, you were down $800 at the tables and needed a respite to avoid the sharks anyway. There are a lot of hiding spots between them there rocks. I'm just speculating, of course.
This was great diversion. My wife and I had a car and were staying at the J.W. Marriott off the strip. This was only a 15 minute drive from our hotel. It's basically a 13 mile one way loop with several stops along the way. I think we stopped on the second stop and took a 30 minute hike a documented everything with our digital camera.
It was such a contrast from the strip. Quiet and with only a few fellow exploers. Normally we like to walk or run for 2 miles in our neighbor hood, so we enjoyed walking on the trails. They had some very short trails for beginners, and some longer ones for those who really wanted to spend some time out there. The visit was a good way to work off a few calories, go somewhere in the morning, and get some beautiful photographs.
Actually the area we walked into would have been a great area to have a party. It reminded me of a place in a western movie where the bandits would use as a hiding place. We saw one small lizard about 2 inches long and some birds that made some really weird sounds. I wish I could post the pictures I took, just awesome. I have them on my facebook page.
It cost $5 for a car to enter the area.
A bit of nature and wholesomeness not too far from the disgusting strip. It gets as hot as hell here in the Summer, so prepare accordingly. Many things to explore, including a museum, running/hiking trails, and rock climbing possiblities.
It is stunning. It is grand. It is cold as hell in December.
After deciding to flee the Strip, we spent our last day at two natural wonders close to Vegas. The majority of our time was spent at The Valley of Fire and it was a magnificent place. I think Red Rocks suffered a little by comparison although it is also an amazing area.
However, I couldn't help but feel that Red Rocks was a little more theme park than natural escape. There is even a casino down the hill. Similar to a carnival ride, you drive a 13-mile loop (one-way) through the park. So once you begin, there is no backtracking, you're committed. We arrived late in the afternoon, so we didn't have time to do any hikes. And I wouldn't have anyway because it was way too cold. While VoF seemed sheltered and protected from the elements, there was a lot more exposure here and the wind was just whipping through the valley.
As we drove the 13-mile loop, we stopped at all of the rest areas and photo spots just as the sun was setting. So while we didn't get the full experience, you certainly can get a good feel of the place from your car.
They just opened a new visitor's center so you can say hi to the resident Western Chuckwalla and buy gifts in the store, but otherwise it is very bare bones. The highlight for us at this park were the Joshua trees, which weren't present at VoF. If you can tear yourself away from the casinos for half a day, this is a great spot to experience more of what Nevada has to offer.
At first, it didn't seem like much. In the middle of the desert, a couple red rocks? Hmm...
It was more than I expected though, and definitely worth the $5 daily entrance fee. The 13-mile scenic drive was beautiful, and there are trails galore. Due to time, we only did a short 0.75 Children's Discovery Trail in which we got to see one pictograph and a tiny seasonal waterfall that was only a trickle when we saw it. It was fun to climb around the rocks though.
Great for photographers too! You could spend a whole day here photographing nature's formations.
That scenic route is so worth it, didnt stay here long, maybe 2 hours? Great photo-ops and just breathtaking views.
I am coming here again next time I am in Vegas and spending almost a whole day, I plan to take more amazing pics, walk around a lot more and have a picnic in the area designated for that, maybe hubbie will drive his Ranger this time to Vegas and we will do the off-road paths, its really something to llok into if you are into this kind of stuff.
I loved it.
Just Fantastic place to lose yourself and get back to nature.
The view is amazing and remember to bring a camera, there is a gift shop, nice stuff reasonable prices.
Bring a backpack and water.. enjoy
On my latest trip to Las Vegas I made a concerted effort to see if there was more to Vegas than just The Strip. The answer to that is a definitive 'Yes!'
I've always heard of Red Rock and I had to see it for my self. It's about 20 miles north of The Strip and really easy to get to. There's a meager $5 entry fee that is well worth it. After entering you traverse Clark County's response to Monterey, Ca's 17 Mile Drive. Instead of gawking at Rich People's houses, Rich People Golfing, Rich People doing whatever it is they don't have to do, you drive along 13 miles of paved road and gawk at the wonders of Nature.
The first stop along the drive is sort of like the Main Event, the Red Rocks themselves. Seeing them for the first time is really awe inspiring. You can't help but to say 'Wow!' So many cool rock formations and you can climb around on them. There's many trails that slither around the formations that range from easy to difficult to help you work off some of your Vegas gluttony. I walked down to the bottom and looked around. I would have liked to have followed the trails more, but I wanted to see as much of the conservatory as I could before the sun went down. After hiking.... back... up... the hill... and.... feeling... like... Stevie... Kenarben.... from.... Malcolm... in the... Middle... I got back in my car and proceeded along the road.
Seeing all the other variations of rocks, I wished my Uncle was with me. This place would be a paradise for him since he's a Geologist. He could have been my own personal tour guide. As it was, I stopped by every stopping point and places where I probably shouldn't have stopped to soak in all the sights. In addition to just rocks, there's some animals running around. There's little chipmonks everywhere and I even saw a bobcat.
It would be great to spend a week here just checking out the trails. They look like they lead to no where, but probably lead you to some awesome sights. I tried to explore as much as I could and found the petroglyphs or at least one of the sights. It's fun to follow a trail and find stuff like that.
I think I also came at the perfect time of the year. I can't imagine what Summer is like here, but when I was here, it was around 68-70 degrees. Perfect blue skies, air was a little cool and dry, but better than dying of heat. The only bad part is the sun disappears fairly quickly behind the mountain. It started to get dark around 4pm.
After going here, I am inspired to go see The Grand Canyon and somewhere like here, but with waterfalls. That would be sooo cool!
Definitely check this place out when you are visiting Las Vegas (Time of the year dependent). You won't be disappointed!
Other than family, the only reason I look forward to going to LV. If you're not fit, there are a few places you can get out and walk a few feet and take incredible photos. If you're really not fit, or are unable to get out of a car, drive the loop, roll down your windows, and enjoy the view.
The trails are well-marked, and even a 1/2 mile exploration is amazing, when you get close to the rocks and see all the little crevices and plants. I really love this place!
If you need a break from the lights and sounds of Vegas just take a fifteen minute ride out to Red Rock Canyon. The views were absolutely breathtaking. Its amazing how all these different looking mountains can be so close to each other. I wish we could have did a hike but we weren't properly dressed and the kids were tired (next time fosho).
I totally fell in love with Red Rock as we drove through. It's amazing. The little trailer at the entrance of the park is filled with all kinds of cute handmade items. The restrooms were also very clean and well stocked.
The actual road going through the conservation area is narrow but it's one way so who cares. There are lots of places to pull over and enjoy the view. You can also scale the actual rocks if you're feeling brave. I totally recommend getting out of the car and really getting up close and personal. You don't even realize how huge the formations are until you get right up next to them! Great for photographers too! The bright sun on the rock creates the most amazing colors.
Red Rock is such a nice escape from the hussle and bussle of the city. There are great hiking trails, and it's just beautiful. The park itself is not far out of the city, so if you're in town on a visit, it's an easy afternoon trip. Watch out for the burros!
I love this place.
I climbed up to Turtlehead Peak --- well, at least 3/4 of the way. I couldn't finish it, but I'm going back to finish it.
$5 entrance fee with lots of different trails. FUN!!
$5 for a car to get in....that's pretty cheap no matter how you look at it. This is a great place for photos, hiking, and just taking in the natural scenery when you get tired of all the Vegas lights and noises. We stopped here in the winter time so we got a bunch of great winter photos along with the red rocks.
I am just going to echo everyone's comments here--if you do not go here, you are missing out on a LOT. This is especially true if you are from Northern side of United States, or like me, from Canada. The sights are truly something to behold.
One thing nobody has mentioned though, is neat the road is. I would love to come here first thing in the morning and drive really fast around the twisties hehehe. But of course, that would be illegal, as there are speed limits posted. =)
Tip: Go to the washrooms before entering... they have outhouses scattered throughout, but you probably don't want to use it!
Absolutely gorgeous. We really were not up for the 10 hour+ trek to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas and we heard nothing but rave reviews about Red Rock, so we decided to check it out.
The visitors center is currently under construction, so they have temporarily located to a trailer, but there are still some neat items in the gift shop. The best part about Red Rock is the 13 mile driving trail. There are points along the way to stop and get out and even some trails (and potties too!), but bring a bottle or two of water with anyway.
The views and rock formations are breath taking. A must see on your next trip to Vegas and it's only about 30 minutes from the Strip.
I was in Las Vegas for a four day convention where the entire days were planned. By day three I had enough and needed a break from the presentations and catered meals, so I took the afternoon off and hopped into my rental car and headed for Red Rock Canyon. The place conveniently provided me with the respite I needed from civilization, even though its few minutes from the strip and urban sprawl has spread literaly to its front gate. The weekday I was there the place was deserted. The wild burros roaming the area were a hit with the few people there and made for some great photo ops.
Come on people, of course its not the Grand Canyon. But for a city boy like me, it was a great diversion.
Beautiful, simply beautiful. I came here with my girlfriend after touring the Grand Canyon's South Rim and we still were impressed by this park.
I loved the natural feel of something so inspiring. One day I'd like to actually hike this and relax and such. Too bad we were in such a rush to return the rental car, I would have stayed for another couple of hours.
If you need a break from the Vegas strip, this is it! The only reason I can image this is not set aside as a National Park is because the Grand Canyon is right next door. The scenery is to die for!
I have been there more than once and still love to go back and visit every so often.
*Best time to visit is Winter time, the mild weather is around 70F. It is great for hiking and wondering around.
I happened to visit this summer (July). It was 106F in the dessert.
The rocks are still beautiful and I see different things every time, but I was melting. So, I did not enjoy as much as I wanted during the cooler time (i.e. hiking.)
$5.00 per car per visit is a steal for 13 miles of scenic drive!
As of July 2009, the visitor center is still in a trailer while they are enlarging the original visitor.
Fact:
The original visitor center opened in 1982, about 20,000 people visited.
Now, there are more than a million people visit the area per year.
This is a one-way 13 miles loop.
Remember:
Stay on the roads and trails. Seeds of invasive grasses and weeds can "catch a ride" in your clothing. When invasive grasses and weeds overgrown, the native plants must compete with the invasive annual grasses for everything (i.e sun and water). Invasive annual grasses regenerate more quickly than native vegetation, creating the potential for new wild land fired and decreasing the ability of native vegetation to become dominate in the plant community.
GORGEOUS GORGEOUS GORGEOUS
I only wish we had more time to spend here. I would definitely recommending putting a day aside to spend at Red Rock. You don't have to be an expert climber, but I would recommend decent footwear and a lot of room on your camera.
It only cost us $5 for our car, pretty reasonable in vegas if you ask me.
It's alright if you have an extra day or half a day to kill in LV, not much compared to the Grand Canyon, but worth taking a look at if you can't make the 4-5 hours drive out to the real thing.
Hiking trails abound around here, the 13 mile loop scenic drive could be done in under 2 hours if you don't go hiking and just stop for pictures.
~~ 45 min. drive away from the LV strip.
This place has inspired me to move to Las Vegas. As an avid cyclist and outdoor enthusiast I found the conservation area to be an ideal place to live near as the entire road has a bike lane.
My girlfriend and I hiked on some trails towards the mountains and found ourselves in a surreal desert with seemingly untouched landscapes and complete natural beauty.
If you are in the Las Vegas area do yourself a favor and check this place out!
I'm a city guy. I grew up in New York City, I like having a clear path and I'm not one for the whole sunlight-fresh air-bug thing. But I've gotta say, Red Rock Canyon took my breath away.
If you are in Vegas for more than a day, you should make the drive out to Red Rock. I went hiking, for a little bit and loved it. When it was time for me to get back in the car, I was deleting old photos so I could take more!
"I went on a fabulous day hike in... VEGAS?!?" WTH?
I go to Vegas for gambling, debauchery, exuding all the typical vices of Sin City. This place has totally made me re-think my next trip.
The park has a one-way loop that serves as a central hub. From that extend trails with completely different personalities. It is like going to 5 different National Parks in one.
Additionally, I am even considering bringing my road bike out to Vegas because the scenery (and road quality) is just that awesome.
Spongebob says there's no way in hell he'd come out here in the summer. Mid/late winter is perfect when there are no bugs and still a bit of snow in the passes.
Absolutely gorgeous. I drove out alone and hiked around and met some very cool people. Kept kicking myself that I did not have a mountain bike with me. There are like 5 completely different sights and experiences depending where you stop. Oh, and I saw real, bonafide wild asses... just walking through the desert with no worry in the world.
The clean view of the desert below was very theraputic.
They have over a dozen hikes and being the unprepared person I was and as was my friend, we went on a shorter and easier hike but it was nonetheless quite fulfilling. The clean desert air coupled with the serenity of a landscape but for red rocks, desert flora, and the occasional lizard and bug. We came upon piles of silk webbing from which little caterpillars burst forth and danced their little wagging as we neared for a closer view. The lizards scurried as our footsteps announced our approach. A bird would fly overhead and its shadow would break the clean sundrenched earth. Very nice. The redrocks were very cool.
I like geology.
If you are like me and end up in Las Vegas, but don't gamble, and don't really drink or heavily party... well then what do you do? You go to Red Rock Canyon National Park, that's what you do! This place is one of the best places I have ever seen to climb around and spend a day taking pictures and getting yourself scraped up on the rocks (or not if you are not a klutz like myself).
Jason and I came here with my two friends who live in Henderson and I am so glad that we did. They had never been out there, and I have a feeling they will be back. We spent a good 4 hours at least roaming the area. The part I like best is that they have a 13 mile scenic drive that takes you around the park, and all along the way they have turnouts where you can park and go for hikes and climb the rocks. Even if you are a novice and the most you have been walking on your trip is to and from the lines for the cabs on the strip you can manage a lot of these walks.
One thing I found really really cool is that in some areas there isn't even a real path. The parking lot just leaves you off and you are free to wander wherever you want, unlike a lot of national parks where you are in a roped off clearly designated area and you don't get a real sense of adventure while you are going. Here you make your own path. Want to get to that peak over there? Go for it. Find your own way. So awesome.
This spot did for my partner and I what it has done for others: convinced us that Vegas is a pretty awesome place.
I don't gamble, i'm getting too old for drinking, and I hate "flossin" needlessly. For those who feel the same, and find few things more spectacular than the earth itself... you must come here!
On balance, it isn't that different than many other hikes ive taken in the desert. In ways it doesn't compare to the transcendent beauty of Sedona, or the stark contrasts of Moab. Yet theres a good energy here, and some surprises in store for those who take the more challenging hikes.
The only sad thing is the planned developments that seem to be under construction far across the valley. What is currently a mostly unspoilt view will soon have mansions staring right back at it. Lucky for those fortunate enough to buy property like that, a little disheartening for the rest of us.
Take a hike up there, and take a picture of a burro for me if you see any!
The only thing good about Vegas is Red Rocks! It is only $5 to get in.The rock climbing is superior, the scenery is gorgeous, and the hiking is satisfying. I'm not sure where they get the funding (perhaps from the gambling) but everything is well maintained. I love the bathrooms (a lot of them have a sensored light) and hand sanitizers and TP. They don't smell bad either. The trails are all well marked and maintained - you can't really get lost. There are so many climbs here - it's heaven for rock climbers.
The two cons which doesn't subtract from any of my stars is:
1. since it is a world class climbing area, the 5 star climbs are VERY crowded, You'd have to be the first in line at the gate to get to the climb first (e.g. Cat in the Hat)
2. The rain/snowstorms in the fall/winter will soak the sandstone so that it is unadvisable to climb for 1-2 days. This could mean a ruined vacation for some, but the hiking is so nice that it doesn't matter that you're not climbing.
Come to red rocks!!!
"Easy Trip from Las Vegas. Nice canyon views and trails!"
Very easy trip (15 minutes) from Las Vegas. The visitors center was informative and there are many great trails for an easy hike. The loop road was a great way to see it all. Look for the climbers... they're so small and not easy to spot. Take the time to hike down some the easy trails.
it's darn near free - wonder why it's not as other national parklands and areas are. Anyway, rent a car when you are in vegas and see this portion of the Mojave desert. Fantastics hiking and rocks and little coves and petroglyphs. Great scenic drive if you don't have time to get out of the car.
Booo!!!
You drive on a nice day hoping to see the Red Rocks after all its only 5 miles of where you are staying. So like every idiot with a passion for driving and not hiking, we hop on the car and bring the dog to look at the Red Rocks!
So what do we get, a long queue to be told that its now closed since there were too many cars. Hey ever thought of having a ticket queue so that we don't waste gas and pollute the air.
So what do I wind up doing, taking pictures of Apricot by my car window and on the turnaround where the horseback riding trail starts.
Boo!!!!!
Next time, I will promise to get up early and freeze in the cold Nevada air to check some red rocks or just take pictures in front of a green screen.
You're not going to find much natural beauty in Southern Nevada, but Red Rock is a high point. First off, it's only about a 40 minute drive or so, depending where you live/stay in town. The visitors center is where you want to start to get your bearings. There is a small fee to enter the Red Rock area, but it's worth it and important in that it keeps what little culture Vegas has going. At the visitor center there used to be a tortoise named Mojave Max who is the desert's version of Groundhog Phil. When Max emerges from his tunnel, spring has sprung. Sadly Max died recently so I don't know if there's a replacement.
Once you move on from the visitors center, you take the scenic drive to check out an assortment of vistas and rock formations. Quickly you'll find out why it's called Red Rock. For the adventurous types, you can park and take a stroll on one of the many hiking trails. If not, just stick in your car for and pop out for a few pictures. The whole drive takes about an hour so be sure to have a free afternoon before heading out.
We had a day planned out loosely for a trip to Red Rock, but it failed completely because I woke up at 3:00 pm. By the time I got finished getting ready and we had lunch from In-N-Out, it was already around 4:30 pm :(
I know, I know. Completely my fault, I wish I could've waken up earlier. Anyway, if it wasn't for getting lost (going East instead of West, like the directions said, whaaat?), I believe we would've arrived sooner. By the time we got there, the sun was setting, so I urged my family to stop at a point a little after the entrance of the 13-mile loop in the canyon to take photos before it got completely dark and impossible to take a photo. This is when a DSLR comes in handy. I'm not trying to advertise or anything, but with point-and-shoots in that kind of lighting, you would've gotten really bad photos. With SLR's, the lens will try to capture as much lighting as possible =D
I'm going off on a tangent. The photos came out beautifully (check out the photos I submitted), and I wish we could've actually stopped inside the loop of the canyon, (but since it was my first time I didn't even know about the loop) instead of taking them in the parking lot near the exit of the loop.
By the time we finished, it was 5:00 pm and already getting pretty dark. We decided to go up to the Visitor Center on a whim and realized that was the entrance to the 13-mile loop! Normally you have to pay a $5 vehicle entrance fee, but since they close at 5:00 pm (and I assume the person collecting the $ long had gone home), we drove through the loop for free. Cool, right? Yeah! Except we couldn't see anything 'cause it was pitch-black dark, hahaha. The loop also has plenty of overlooks for you to stop and take photos, or hike the trails.
I'll be sure to go visit again when I'm in Las Vegas 'cause it definitely seems to be worth going to at an earlier time!
P.S. Since we visited in late December, the weather was really, really cold. Around 4:30 pm, it was 30 degrees Fahrenheit outside! Crazy. So I recommend you bring an extra jacket or something in the car.
Beautiful land and only $5 to explore it!! The colors of the landscape are vibrant. This is the kind of area that can make amateur photographers feel like they have a gift. Oh, Dont take Charleston ave to get there, make sure to go 215 from the strip
A lot of people look at Las Vegas and see only the strip, the glitz, the glamour. Those people are missing out on some extraordinary natural beauty. The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is a true gem of a place, only about a 30 minute drive from the strip (I215 West to Charleston West will get you there). Start out on the magnificent scenic drive (13 miles of beauty). Make the scenic stops on the way. Or take a hike! Many of the stops have hikes mapped out from easy to difficult. Or bring a meal and sit out at the picnic benches and enjoy!
We came here last night for sunset. The scenic drive is only open until 8:00pm, so time after sunset is limited.
I prefer visiting here in the summer, either early in the morning or at sunset. Redrock can get very, very, windy at times, so prepare.
For anyone who frequents Vegas, you can buy an annual pass to Red Rock for $20. It's a great deal and one that you're likely to use a lot. So take some time away from the strip and make Red Rock Canyon part of your Vegas getaway!
worth the drive out...
We drove out in morning and spent about 30 mins there. We did not plan on hiking so we admired the beauty from afar. We parked at the free lot before the pay station and walked up the hiking path to the visitor/interpretive center. We were able to get a little background info on what was there and what to be prepared for next time we visit and pay the $5 to drive the loop and go hiking. The interpretive center is going through an expansion and will be 4 times as big when completed in 2010. Like everyone else said, this a place to go to get away from the bright lights and smoky casinos.
I think the only reason that I am reviewing this is because it is a part of my life almost every day. I am actually privileged enough to drive this beautiful route every day to work. The road that starts from Blue Diamond RD and dumps you into Summerlin, is the most amazing stretch of road in Las Vegas.
The "Red Rock Loop" is something you should take the time to see no matter if you are a local or tourist. If you are into hiking, biking, rock climbing, bouldering, photography, (...and the list goes on) this place is right up your alley.
*If you are really into rock climbing, the post from "noriko n. Bishop, CA" is spot on!
The Visitor Center is great for kids. It is very educational and schools often take field trips out there.
I guess I'm partial to this area of town because it has been such a staple in my life since I moved here. Many good times and breath taking scenery. Trust me you won't believe your eyes!
Cheers
