Red Rock Canyon

Starting October 1, 2023, the Bureau of Land Management requires visitors to make timed reservations for vehicle access to the Scenic Drive between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., with this requirement in effect through May 31, 2024. Timed reservations can be made online, and daily admission passes are also available.

Visitors holding annual or lifetime passes can select their applicable pass category, such as Annual or Senior, in the “Order Details” section during checkout. Before visiting, travelers should check the Red Rock Canyon reservation information page for the latest entry requirements.

A Natural Escape from Las Vegas

After spending several days enjoying the craps and blackjack tables in Las Vegas, a change of scenery can be a welcome break. Red Rock Canyon is less than an hour’s drive west of the city and provides an easy opportunity to leave the casinos behind and experience the desert landscape.

The area is known for its impressive geological formations and striking scenery. Whether you want to relax outdoors, admire the landscape from the road, or explore on foot, Red Rock Canyon offers plenty of ways to enjoy the natural environment.

Keystone Thrust Fault

One of the most important geological features in Red Rock Canyon is the Keystone Thrust Fault. A thrust fault forms when a fracture in the Earth’s crust allows one section of rock to move horizontally over another.

Scientists believe that roughly 65 million years ago, two tectonic plates collided with tremendous force. The impact pushed a section of older rock upward and over younger sandstone formations. The resulting boundary is especially easy to recognize because of the dramatic difference between the gray limestone and vivid red sandstone.

The Keystone Thrust Fault stretches for approximately 13 miles, beginning near the Cottonwood Fault along the Pahrump Highway and continuing north toward the area around La Madre Mountain, where more complicated faulting eventually conceals it.

Visitor Center and 13-Mile Loop Drive

The Visitor Center and Discovery Plaza provide useful places to begin exploring Red Rock Canyon. One of the best ways to experience the area is the 13-mile Loop Drive, which provides numerous scenic viewpoints, overlooks and opportunities for sightseeing.

Visitors with limited time can stop at either of the Calico Vista viewpoints. Both locations provide excellent views of the distinctive cross-bedded Aztec sandstone and are particularly attractive for photography.

For those who want to get closer to the rock formations without undertaking a difficult hike, the Sandstone Quarry parking area is a convenient stop. Visitors can see enormous pieces of sandstone as well as remnants associated with quarrying activities that took place shortly after the beginning of the 20th century.

Picnic Areas and Scenic Pullouts

Picnic areas are available at both Red Spring and Willow Spring, providing pleasant places to pause and enjoy the surrounding desert landscape.

Other roadside pullouts offer views of wooded canyon areas and desert washes. Notable locations include Icebox Canyon, Pine Creek Canyon and Red Rock Wash, each providing a different perspective on the area's varied terrain.

Hiking Trails and Desert Potholes

The Loop Drive provides access to numerous short hikes, allowing visitors to experience several different landscapes and environments. From the second Calico Vista viewpoint, a short path descends toward the bottom of the canyon and reaches the Aztec sandstone. Following seasonal rainfall, small pools of water may appear along the route.

The Sandstone Quarry area offers easier walking opportunities and provides access to several small canyons that can be explored on foot. The Calico Hills are also marked by natural depressions known as potholes or tinajas, pronounced “tee-nah-haz.”

After rainfall, these natural basins can collect water and become temporary habitats for small insects, insect larvae and fairy shrimp.

Lost Creek

A short 0.3-mile hike leads to Lost Creek, where visitors can find a spring that flows throughout the year. During the appropriate season, the area also features a waterfall that cascades down the rocks, making it a rewarding destination for a relatively easy walk.

Icebox Canyon

Icebox Canyon has a maintained trail that extends approximately 0.8 mile into the canyon. From the end of the maintained section, visitors can continue for another half mile toward the back of the canyon by carefully making their way over the boulders along the canyon floor.

Pine Creek Canyon

Pine Creek Canyon is among the most popular hiking destinations in Red Rock Canyon. The roughly two-mile round-trip hike leads to the remains of a historic homestead located near a flowing creek.

Large ponderosa pine trees and other vegetation that thrives in wetter conditions surround the creek and homestead ruins, creating a striking contrast with the surrounding desert landscape.