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As noted in my article discussing activities at Red Rock Canyon, hiking is one of the prime ways to observe this natural place. The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area boasts immense sandstone cliffs and peaks, miles of walking paths to experience nature, and ancient Paiute Indian petroglyphs.
Exploring on foot here is one of the best activities to engage in outside Las Vegas, and you can even see the park from Sin City. Of course, it’s not the same experience as physically traversing the gravel paths and sedimentary outcrops yourself. So, if you want to see all this park has to offer firsthand, you should check out a few Red Rock trails highlighted in this guide.
Whether an experienced hiker or exploring the park with children, a Red Rock Canyon trail suited for all ability levels can be found. A journey through this park is guaranteed to be an adventure never forgotten.
Keep reading to see the best hikes in Red Rock Canyon, Nevada, as well as tips to help you fully enjoy your trip!
Table of Contents
1. Calico Tanks Trail, the most popular Red Rock Canyon hike
One of the best hiking trails in Red Rock Canyon if you’re up for some scrambling is the Calico Tanks Trail. Your effort will be rewarded with sweeping views. Additionally, this Red Rock Canyon hike provides an overview of the conservation area’s geology and history.
Hiking over a canyon wash then upward to Calico Hills, this Calico hiking trail passes an ancient Indian agave roasting pit, a relic of the preceding Paiute civilization.
In one section of the route, you need to climb sandstone steps, which could be somewhat troublesome if you lack sure-footedness. Once ascending all the stairs, the path becomes level again, and you can take a rest at the Calico basin. Depending on the time of the year, it may be full of water or ice, though it is likely to be dried out in summer.
- Duration: 2 hours
- Distance: 2.2 miles
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Route type: Out & Back
- Obstacles: Rocky steps, uneven terrain
- Altitude Increase 406 ft
2. Calico Hills, another Red Rock trail you can’t miss
The Calico Hills are the colorful sandstone formations that create a stunning viewpoint in Red Rock Canyon. You can hop on the Calico Hills Trail at a few different trailheads, so the route can be as short as 2 miles or as long as 6 miles.
There is a trail head right outside the Visitor Center, another at Calico Hills I, and a third at Calico Hills II. No matter where you start, you’ll border the edge of the sandstone hills, so you’ll be able to take in the red and orange scenery throughout this Red Rock Canyon hike.
For an easy route for hiking in Calico, taking the path from Calico Hills I to the Visitor Center is recommended. Another choice could be starting at the same point and heading north to the Sandstone Quarry. Yet one more option is hiking from the Calico Hills I viewpoint to the next scenic area, Calico Hills II.
The 2-mile Calico Hills I loop passes an amphitheater and column, making it another interesting Red Rock trail. Check the map to choose routes fitting your schedule and abilities.
- Duration: 1.5 hours-3.5 hours
- Distance: 2-6.4 miles
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Route type: Out & Back
- Obstacles: Scrambling
- Elevation gain: 1,108 ft
3. Children’s Discovery Trail and Lost Creek Canyon, the best hike in Red Rock Canyon
The interpretive route named the Lost Creek/Children’s Discovery Trail at Red Rock Canyon offers a wonderful walk to undertake with young ones. It comprises an easy-to-follow path with amazing views, ancient carvings, and, during December and April, a cascade.
This one hike stands out as one of the best at Red Rock Canyon due to providing an educational experience for all ages. Participants will gain knowledge about the ancient rock carvings dating back 800 years, the geology of the Mojave Desert landscape, as well as the local flora and fauna through signs along the trail.
Besides being one of the few Red Rock Canyon waterfall trails, this path is right off the Scenic Drive. So, you can hop out of the car and hike this short route before continuing your journey along the paved road.
I highly suggest undertaking this hike during the spring months to admire the wildflowers and seasonal waterfall. Be certain to also pause and inspect the ancient pictographs along the trail!
- Duration: 1 hour
- Distance: 0.8 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Route type: Loop
- Obstacles: None
- Gain in elevation: 98 ft
4. Ice Box Canyon Trail, one of the best hikes in Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas
Ice Box Canyon provides one of the most scenic routes along Red Rock, though parts can be physically taxing at times. Hikers access the trail from Scenic Drive; from there it`s a walk through a sunny gravel area.
Midway through the hike, you’ll have to clamber over boulders and rock formations, so be careful. At times, the path is uneven or hard to follow, but if you download the map, you’ll be fine.
After roughly an hour of hiking through the Red Rock region, a narrow box canyon provides some respite from the fiery sandstone peaks and desert heat. This is another Red Rock Canyon trail with water, but you’ll only see the waterfall from December to April.
- Duration: 2 hours
- Distance: 2.2 miles
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Route type: Out & Back
- Barriers: Scrambling, uneven terrain
- Altitude Increase 577 ft
5. White Rock Hills Loop, one of the best easy hikes in Red Rock Canyon
The White Rock–Willow Spring Loop is a excellent Red Rock Canyon Loop you can do year-round. You’ll trek through the open desert on mostly level terrain and get nice views of the White Rock Hills.
Begin at the White Rock Trailhead and head southwest before looping back north. You can stop at the Willow Springs Picnic Area before making the return trip. The path mostly comprises gravel, so durable shoes are advised.
Also, before arriving at the picnic area, you’ll pass a location with ancient etchings on rocks, so it’s worth stopping to examine them. Overall, this Red Rock, Las Vegas hike is somewhat lengthy, but it’s suitable for most skill levels.
- Duration: 3 hours
- Distance: 6 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Route type: Loop
- Obstacles: Not much shade
- Elevation gain: 1135 ft
6. Turtlehead Peak Trail, the Red Rock Canyon hiking route with the best views
The Turtlehead Peak Trail is one of the finest hikes in Red Rock Canyon, but I only recommend it for experienced hikers.
The trailhead is near the Visitor Center, and you’ll take the same route as the Calico Tanks Trail. When you reach the fork in the path, veer left and continue north through the gravel wash. It`ll require quite a bit of climbing to make it to the peak, but you’ll be compensated with sweeping views of the La Madre Mountains and Sandstone Quarry.
Compared to other hiking routes in Red Rock Canyon, this one presents a more physically demanding experience, so adequate preparation is advisable. Strong winds can be experienced at the top, and the descent features steep and sometimes slippery terrain. That said, exiting along the way is an option since not the full distance needs to be covered. Of course, those who complete the whole trail will be rewarded with the panoramic perspectives from Turtlehead Peak.
- Duration: 3.5 hours-4.5 hours
- Distance: 4.6 miles
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Route type: Out & Back
- Obstacles: Elevation gain, descent
- Altitude increase: 1,988 ft
7. Keystone Thrust Trail, a scenic Red Rock, Las Vegas hiking route
The Keystone Thrust hike offers geologic importance on a Red Rock state park trail, thanks to its significance.
The convergence point of the Pacific and North American tectonic plates, referred to as the Keystone Thrust, resulted in pushing the two continental plates against each other. This interaction generated the mountain range known as the Sierra Nevada along with Red Rock Canyon and provided one of the top day hikes in Red Rock Canyon.
The initial portion of the trail is an ascent, so you’ll want to be in adequate physical condition. Additionally, the last few cliffs can present challenges, but the views at the end are very pleasant. This Red Rock hiking path provides a good chance to see the geological layers within the park. Depending on when you go, you can see colorful wildflowers blooming alongside the red sandstone.
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Distance: 2.4 miles
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Route type: Out & Back
- Obstacles: Ascent
- Altitude Increase 567 ft
8. Pine Creek Canyon Trail, one of the most beautiful Red Rock hiking trails
If you seek another scenic trek through dramatic scenery, explore the Pine Creek Canyon Trail in Red Rock Canyon. Pine Creek Canyon boasts some of the best hiking paths with imposing rock walls and varied desert flora.
The trailhead can be found at the Pine Creek parking area along the Scenic Drive. From there, hike along the fire ecology route, which guides you through the ponderosa forest. There is a section requiring an ascent up a steep slope, but then you will reach flat terrain.
In addition to the ponderosa pines, you’ll see wildflowers and Mojave desert shrubs. This Red Rock Canyon off-road trail also passes by the remains of the Wilson Homestead, which was built in the 1920s. The homestead offers an opportunity to sit down and take a respite before continuing on the Pine Creek Loop.
At the peak, you’ll obtain beautiful views of the Rainbow Mountain Wilderness Area, an accumulation of white and reddish sandstone, gray carbonate ridges, and green pines.
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Distance: 3.4 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Route type: Out & Back
- Obstacles: Uneven terrain
- Altitude Increase 515 ft
9. Kraft Mountain Loop, another lovely Red Rock hike in Las Vegas
The Kraft Mountain Loop is another Red Rock Canyon loop that I recommend. This route starts at the Kraft Mountain Trailhead next to the parking area of the same name. Also known as the Gateway Canyon Loop, it goes across the Gateway Wash and the La Madre Wilderness Area and winds around Kraft Mountain.
This hike in Red Rock, Las Vegas offers a few nice examples of the region’s petroglyphs and geology too. It’s fairly scenic, but the rocky path can be difficult to follow at times. It’s a good idea to download the trail map in advance.
The descent requires a bit of climbing, but it’s also in the shade. The elevation increase can be tricky for inexperienced hikers, so it’s a somewhat challenging yet fun Red Rock Canyon trail.
- Duration: 2.5 hours-3 hours
- Distance: 3.1 miles
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Route type: Loop
- Challenges: Climbing down needs care
- Altitude Increase 593 ft
10. First Creek Canyon, another hiking trail in Red Rock Canyon, Nevada
If hiking in Red Rock Canyon is somewhat excessive for you, look at the First Creek Canyon trail. This is a fun and easy path that’s generally flat, so you can do it with children. That said, you’ll want to be vigilant since the last third of the trail isn’t well-defined.
Traverse the open desert, then turn right off this Red Rock Canyon trail to a waterfall. You’ll have to climb somewhat to reach the base of the usually dry waterfall, unless you go in late spring.
While the perspectives aren’t as thrilling as other hikes on the extensively renowned Red Rock trail system, you can see cottonwood and willow trees, and even wild burros.
- Duration: 2 hours
- Distance: 3.4 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Route type: Out & Back
- Obstacles: The last third of the trail lacks clear signs.
- Altitude Increase 377 ft
Red Rock Canyon hiking tips
Now that you are aware of the top hikes in Red Rock Canyon, here are some tips to make your outdoor experience more pleasurable:
- Always review the weather prediction before setting out on any {{Red Rock Canyon excursion}}.
- Bring enough water to keep everyone hydrated the entire time.
- Dress appropriately! Bring hiking footwear, sunglasses, a hat, and layered clothing.
- The ideal months for hiking in Red Rock Canyon are September through May.
- Reserve your timed-entry ticket in advance so you can access the Scenic Drive.
- Download our Red Rock Canyon hiking map so you have it on your phone in case you lose cell service.
Red Rock Canyon trail map
Before concluding, I want to share this Red Rock Canyon trails map. I suggest downloading this as well as any Red Rock trail routes you`d like to tackle. That way, even without cell reception, you`ll still have the map accessible on your phone.
Additionally, if this guide is useful, you may also enjoy our article on the top activities in Red Rock Canyon!
That’s all from me concerning this topic! I hope you found the details about these hikes in Red Rock, Las Vegas to be informative. If you have any other questions, please feel free to leave a comment below. Safe travels!
