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Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Rating Details »
- Good for Kids:
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44 reviews for Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
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!
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.
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!
This place is simply awesome...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
"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.
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.
"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.
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!!!
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.
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.
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.
great place to get some exercise, pretty views, and fresh air & very close to home.
best time to visit - spring, fall, and mild winter days. summer is usually too insanely hot and dangerous to hike.
the hiking paths are straight forward, pretty unadventurous but the views of the mountain sides and picturesque desert valleys are worthwhile.
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.
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
Returned this morning with my cousin from the UK, who happens to be really into rocks and geology. Again climbed over rocks and shrubs and checked out briney pools of stagnant green water and tried to avoid dawg shit along "easy" route. I actually got the visitor's guide thing this time. This, along with adequate footwear, vastly improved the experience. Took almost 2GB worth of pictures and video. Rocks and more rocks. "Look at those striations! and fissures!" was heard more than once, and not in reference to dense musculature or anal tears. Wonderful day, decent cloud cover, and of course a TON of other visitors. I saw plates not only from different states but from different parts of the world.....An EVO had Japanese license plates and the steering wheel on the right side. And its occupants were all XTRR33M!, climbing the two-tone rock face on the "fault" canyon (sorry if I don't recall actual names, update forthcoming) a lot quicker than it took me to walk to the base of it. Not that you can really "walk" to the base; my recovering smoker's ass got handed to me AGAIN by the nearly 45-degree incline.
On the moderate trail. I shall return, you damn mountain. Mark my words.
The best part is it's STILL just 5 bucks. Totally worth it considering the expanse one can get lost in. Now if only they had wi-fi and a coffee shop in them thar hills.....
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/17/2008
Everything everyone talks about and a bag of greasy nuts. I went for a run here a couple years ago… Read more »
I went to Vegas to party with my brother and his friends. I wound up not liking the Vegas scene so much. My favorite part of my Vegas vacation was my hike through Red Rock Canyon.
It's absolutely beautiful. We scampered over rocks and through dirt. I was the only one of the group attacked by bugs but I don't think I can blame that on the canyon. I was, after all, in their territory.
We saw some wildlife in the form of skittering little critters and the aforementioned insects.
We drove around and stopped to hike. Some people were biking the whole way. Even in the Vegas heat, we had a great time.
Get out of the casinos. Get back to nature.
Pretty much my only reason to visit Vegas. One of the premiere multi-pitch trad climbing areas in the country, Red Rock NCA also has aid, sport and single pitch trad climbing routes, in addition to trails. The cliffs are sandstone, so you'll need to wait at least 24 after a rainstorm unless you want to content with potentially brittle holds. You can climb year round by chasing the shade/sun as appropriate. The newish campground is fairly dull, but slightly more convenient than the Strip purely in proximity to the climbing areas.
UPDATE (15 Jan 09)
The BLM is currently testing the feasibility of a 7am (v. 6am) opening time. The kiosk operators didn't know if this would be permanent. Also, a note about late exit permits for multi-pitch routes. Make sure that you include all of the requested information in your phone message or your permit will be rejected and you may be subject to a $125 fine. It's best to call the day before if possible to allow for corrections. Desert Rock Sports can provide details: http://desertrocksport...
Hiking through the trails leading up to the red rocks is just simply amazing. My partner and I had a wonderful time hiking, climbing and taking photos. The red rocks can best be enjoyed by hiking the trails off of the Calico overlook, the first two stops in the 13-mile loop in the canyon. Walk down the steps and explore. Plan to spend some time like a few hours because there's so much to explore. We visited in the winter and the cool temperatures made the hike even more enjoyable. But we missed all the blue skies and the fiery sun. I guess that's reason enough to go back in the spring. And by the way, all the trails are dog-friendly.
Highly recommended.
Just did Ice Box Canyon for the first time in many years. Really, for five dollars you can't beat the fantastic drive out of the city... even if you don't get out of the car the scenery will blow your mind. I'm a hardened desert dweller and it still takes my breath away.
Ice Box Canyon is listed as 'difficult' but except for the rock scambling at the end to get to the second and third pool, I think anyone with basic hike experience could do it. We did wander off the trail towards the end - tired and in sight of the car park will do that too you. All the hikes are fun, but that one is my favorite for the pool and waterfall. Even though the snow in the city melted weeks ago, bare patches of it were still clinging to the ground just off the path.
A beautiful, contemplative area. Just a few minutes north of Las Vegas... bikers just ride out of north Las Vegas and up to Red Rock for an awesome journey.
When we were there - August - it was hot as blazes. Still gorgeous. Maybe more gorgeous because of the intense heat. Interesting & fun nature center, with audio guided tour, and an excellent gift shop - i really like their selections....
Would be great for hiking and checking out more in cooler weather. We took the scenic drive loop and it was great from the air conditioned comfort of the car.
Definitely worth the drive.
Over the last three months, i've hit red rocks at least 6 times. It's such a great getaway from sin city - so close, yet so far away !
My last visit was this week - climbed a big mofo rock, sat there with a "mini-kegger" heineken, sun going down , it's in my top ten of tranquil moments in my life ( it reminded me i need to get back to the grand canyon with a 6 pack, some sunflower seeds and sit "on the edge" )
I love this place. Great for hikes or just looking around. Bring a camera & Tripod for sure cuase you are going to take a bunch of pictures. Its pretty far from the strip but worth it if you like the outdoors. Make sure you wear the right type of outfit as it can get real cold and real hot depending on the year. One time it was super hot when we went, the other time we got snow flakes. Also make sure you have enough time to make it around the park as its pretty big. Again bring small tripod to take your group pictures.
Beautiful scenery, and it looks like there'd be great hiking, if you're into that sort of thing.
You should definitely drop 5 bucks to drive around the loop, if you're not the athletic sort.
Important advice: There are some disgusting outhouse-style toilets scattered around the area; go to the tourist center for proper plumbing.
Let's remember when taking all of these 5 star ratings into consideration that we are talking about Vegas where there are practically zero natural experiences. That is why you must drive 17 miles from the strip all the way to the very outskirts of town to enjoy some natural beauty.
I learned a very valuable lesson out in Red Rock about 8 years ago. It is a very long story but I will summarize just to get the moral across.
If you are hiking with only your faithful beloved furry friend (i.e. dog), beware you are hiking ALONE! I hiked almost every weekend for over 2 years most of the time with nobody but my prized companion Splotchy. It never occurred to me that if anything were to ever happen that I might have no one but myself to help us out of the situation.
We were hiking through icebox canyon on a gorgeous morning in late march. As we were on our way back out of the canyon suddenly Splotchy laid down & would not get back up. As I took a glance back through the red canyon I could see a trail of paw prints which were a darker shade of red. I quickly realized that it was a trail of bloody paw prints. I was now faced with the challenge of carrying my 70lb. dog (who was only 40lbs. less than me) back to our car. I got about a mile out of the canyon carrying him in every which way I could muster when I had to admit that I had somehow wandered off of the trail when I was only about half of the way back. I tried to back track but some of the jumps I had made were too far down to return to together. I decided to stay with my dog & got very lucky when I happened to run into the only people I had seen all day. They helped us both out of the canyon to safety.
I always thought I had accidently burned off the pads of Splotchy's paws. Nowadays I'm not so sure of that quick assumption I made. I now have suspicions that it was the acidity of the soil & the friction of the rocks that burned through his pads and not the heat from the sun which I had always blamed. The real moral of the story is: If you are hiking with only your dog you are basically alone. Make sure you realize this & plan accordingly. This simple fact had never dawned on me because of the strong companionship I felt with Splotchy. If something were to have happened to me who knows we might still be out there somewhere.
As good as it gets for Las Vegas. This is the by far the best outdoorsy area for people looking for something out of the ordinary when you think 'Las Vegas'. Beautiful, natural scenery with stunning red rocks and even a few native paintings along the way of a few hikes. A variety of hikes you can take make this place a great place for a tourist to visit but an even better location for locals due to the annual pass you can purchase for $20. Each weekend I try to make it here to take a new route and meet up with other cool people along the path. A great place to bring you dog, kid, or sandwich. Make sure to bring water, a baseball cap, lots of sunscreen and your camera. They give you a map at the gate ($5 for one-time entry) but don't be fooled by their descriptions - their so-called moderate hike almost killed me. Have fun!
If you are in Las Vegas and have a rental car, do yourselves a favor and take in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. It has some of the most beautiful scenery you'll ever see. You pay like $4 a carload and get to drive a 10-11 mile stretch through the canyon, it's rather breathtaking.
This is a wonderful way to spend a Saturday! We've gone hiking twice in RRC since moving here a few months ago. The scenery is beautiful, with the red rocks against the brilliant blue sky. Yesterday, there was a lot of snow on the ground, and that was very pretty.
My favorite place to visit in Las Vegas is a 13 mile driveable/bikeable/hikeable loop, just west of the strip. From the 15 or LA Blvd, take Charleston west and after crossing the 215 and getting into the hills, you'll be rewarded with a spectacular sight on your right side.
After paying the $5 entry fee, you can stop by the visitor's center to get an overview of the 195,819 acres and more than 30 miles of hiking trails. The loop road is studded with trailheads that either take you into the unique geologic features, box canyons, or even a children's trail with a cave at the end.
If you have a chance to leave the strip, I would highly recommend a side trip to visit Red Rocks. Plan on between 3-4 hours to get the most from the area.
Climbing at Red Rocks and stopping by the Pinball Museum are about the only reasons why I enjoy visiting Las Vegas. I am a rock climber, so my opinion is based on the amazing collection of easy and moderate multi pitch routes throughout Red Rocks. There are few if any areas in the world where there are so many fun routes in the 5.6 to 5.10 range, that are over 1000 feet in length. When I want to climb something in the 5.11 and 5.12 range, there are plenty of sport climbing options as well. Can be a little hot in the summer but Ice Box Canyon and some other areas allow you to chase the shade. The geology is also amazing for the casual observer as well and the loop road should be a stop for anyone regardless of whether they are planning on getting too far from their car.
