Pocket Guide to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada
Whether you’re looking to just take a scenic drive and see something out of the ordinary, or you’re looking to leave some sweat on the trail, there really is something for everyone at this Vegas day trip destination.
Written by Mira & Lauren
This post contains affiliate links.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area—land of desert shrub, majestic aztec sandstone cliffs, Joshua trees, prickly pear cactus, bighorn sheep, desert tortoise, wild burros, and dinosaurs (don’t worry, the fossilized kind)!
Just a half hour drive from the heart of Las Vegas, it’s the perfect spot to ditch the Strip and get out and explore some nature.
But wait, what is a pocket guide, exactly?
Glad you asked. Pocket Guides are our quick and dirty, need-to-know guides. Short, sweet, and to the point. You won’t find added embellishments or extra long explanations. Formatted so that you can screenshot or copy and paste sections to keep handy in your phone (which you keep in your pocket. Heh, see what we did there?) for when you’re traveling or off the grid.
Has a 13 mile scenic drive loop that is not to be missed!
200,000 acres managed by the BLM
Good for: hikers, mountain bikers, rock climbers, nature seekers, geology-buffs, photographers, plant enthusiasts, anyone seeking to escape the mundane for the extraordinary!
Need to know for Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
1000 Scenic Loop Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89161 $25 entrance fee (free with America the Beautiful Pass) Open 6am-5pm 877-444-6777
There is no cell service at the park to call an Uber to come pick you up. Unless you pre-schedule an Uber with a pick-up time.
Shaka Guide: History, legends, stories
Don’t forget your Shaka Guide!
If, like us, you’re a fan of random fun facts and history, we highly recommend you download the Shaka Guide Red Rock Canyon Tour ($8.99) to accompany you on your drive. These downloadable self-guided GPS audio tours are a great way to immerse yourself in the story of a place as you explore. Stops along the route are optional, so it’s a great way to make sure you don’t miss out on anything!
Did you know . . . Red Rock Canyon used to be an ocean?
Yup. More than 500 million years ago (that’s the Paleozoic Era, for those history buffs out there), it was the bottom of a super-ocean (yup, it’s a thing. Or was a thing). The Panthalassic Ocean covered more than 70% of the earth’s surface.
Over the course of 250 million years, the calcified remains of marine life compressed together on the ocean floor to form the limestone you see today.
Nature, it’s wild.
Limestone hills (aka the compressed calcified remains of millions of years of marine life)
He’s a wild (now very friendly and personable) burro adopted by the Red Rock Canyon Herd Management Area in 2012!
He lives with the horses down at Cowboy Trail Rides, south of Highway 159 between where the scenic loop drive begins and ends.
Stop by and say hi to this friendly guy!
X marks the spot!
Pocket Guide to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Red Rock Canyon
A Vegas Day Trip
1000 Scenic Loop Dr, Las Vegas $25 entrance fee (free with America the Beautiful Pass) Open 6am-5pm 877-444-6777 Reservations required
Things to do Stop by the Visitors Center Drive the 13 mile scenic loop Stop at an overlook Take a hike (Calico Tanks Trail) Have a picnic Meet Jackson, the friendly wild burro
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area has so much to offer. Whether you’re looking to just take a scenic drive and see something out of the ordinary, or you’re looking to leave some sweat on the trail, there really is something for everyone.
So, what’re you waiting for?
Ditch the heels, lace up those boots, and get out there!
