Visiting Red Rock Canyon from Las Vegas: Scenic Drive, hikes, tours (2024)
Just a stone’s throw away from the neon lights of Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon offers a breathtaking escape to nature lovers.
We took a break from the Vegas Strip and drove to Red Rock Canyon on our most recent Vegas vacation with family.
I loved Red Rock’s stunning landscape, marked by dramatic red sandstone peaks and panoramic canyons, and the beautiful scenic drive through the park.
Whether you’re an avid hiker, a photographer in search of the perfect shot, or simply looking to soak in the serene beauty of the Mojave Desert, Red Rock Canyon is a must-visit destination.
In a hurry, and looking for a tour recommendation to Red Rock from Vegas?
➡Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive Tour – 4-hour morning tour to explore the Red Rock Canyon scenic drive and stops. Great for photos!
How far is Red Rock Canyon from Las Vegas?
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is conveniently located about 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip, making it an easy and quick getaway for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
It took us around 20 minutes on an early Sunday morning as there was barely any traffic; most of the Vegas Strip was sleeping, I guess, after partying Saturday night! The drive was scenic, with colored mountains, as we neared the Red Rock Canyon.
Red Rock Canyon is one of the closest excursions from Las Vegas!
Ways to travel from Las Vegas to Red Rock Canyon
Drive yourself – The most flexible option is driving yourself. It allows you to explore at your own pace and make stops along the way. We had a rental car for our Vegas trip, so we drove to Red Rock park ourselves.
Take a Red Rock Canyon tour from Las Vegas – If you are not planning to rent a car, the next best option is to take a tour from Vegas. There are several tour options, which I will explore in the tours section below.
Rideshare services like Uber/Lyft – The least recommended option is to take a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft. It will be easy to get a ride from the Strip to Red Rock but hard to get the return ride.
Red Rock Canyon Entry Reservations
If you are traveling to Red Rock between October 1st and May 31st, you will need a reservation to enter the Red Rock Canyon scenic drive area. You can purchase a reservation online from the official Red Rock Canyon website.
We visited Red Rock in January 2024 and made a reservation. I was able to purchase it online just a day before, and it cost $22. The cost is per vehicle.
While making your reservation, you have to pick a 1-hour entry timeslot. Once you enter, you can stay inside the scenic drive area for the entire day.
Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive
The two most popular activities at Red Rock Canyon are exploring the 13-mile scenic drive and hiking the numerous trails here. Rock climbing is also popular here.
Unfortunately, the day we went, the winds were very strong at around 45 miles per hour, and it was impossible to do any hiking in those strong winds. So we chose to do the scenic drive and explore all its stops.
The scenic drive through Red Rock was a beautiful, windy road with fun dips and climbs that we enjoyed at a slow pace. There are pullouts to let vehicles behind you pass.
All of the parking lots for the various vista points and trailheads are on this one-way road.
Remember, the scenic drive is one-way throughout, so if you miss a stop, you cannot go backward to explore it later, so take your time.
Once you exit the drive, you cannot go back in if your 1-hour entry time is over. It will mostly be over as the scenic drive took us around an hour. It will be more if you do any hiking.
We saw a herd of burros (donkeys) in the meadow, but they were too far away to get a good picture.
My favorite stops in the scenic drive were Calico Hills, High Point Overlook, Pine Creek Canyon, and Red Rock Overlook.
Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive is one of the best things to do with kids in Vegas!
Calico Hills
As soon we entered the scenic drive and passed the Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center, we were greeted by striking red rock formations in the Calico Hills area.
These vibrant hills, colored by iron oxide, provide stunning photo opportunities, especially during sunrise and sunset when they glow intensely.
There are three stops here, each with its own parking lot – Calico I, Calico II, and Sandstone Quarry.
Calico Hills offers trails for all levels, from easy walks to challenging hikes. Calico Tanks is one of the most popular hiking trails here.
Even though the entire area is called Red Rock Canyon, I was surprised to see that red rock formations were only present in the Calico Hills area. The rest of the park did not have any red rock formations.
We had visited Valley of Fire from Vegas just a couple of days before, and between Red Rock and Valley of Fire, I think Valley of Fire had more impressive red rock scenery.
Anu’s Pro-tip: If visiting Valley of Fire, make sure to hike the Fire Wave, which is Valley of Fire’s best hike!
High Point Overlook
At High Point Overlook, we were treated to panoramic views of the entire Red Rock Canyon National Area, and the Calico Hills.
This is the most iconic vista point at Red Rock Canyon, as it is located at a higher elevation along the scenic drive. There is a parking lot here, as well as benches to admire the view.
Pine Creek Canyon
Nestled within the heart of Red Rock Canyon, Pine Creek Canyon offers a more secluded and lush environment compared to the desert landscape that dominates much of the area.
The moderate Pine Creek Canyon trail leads past an old homestead, towering canyon walls, and a meadow surrounded by pine trees.
Red Rock Overlook
Red Rock Overlook is right after we exit the scenic drive and provides accessible, stunning views of the Red Rock Canyon with minimal effort.
There is a huge parking lot here, and we enjoyed sweeping views of Calico Hills and the rest of the Red Rock park right from the parking lot.
This wheelchair-accessible spot is perfect for quick stops, picnics, and enjoying unforgettable sunsets.
Red Rock Canyon Hiking
Apart from the scenic drive, hiking is one of the most popular things to do at Red Rock Canyon. Unfortunately, the day we visited, we faced very strong winds (45 miles per hour, no kidding!) and couldn’t explore much hiking.
I had checked with the park rangers at the Red Rock Visitor Center about the most popular hike here and was told it is the Calico Tanks trail. A reason to visit again for hiking the incredible trails here!
Below are the most popular hikes at Red Rock Canyon –
- Calico Tanks – Moderate 2.5-mile hike with 450-foot elevation gain. Starts at Sandstone Quarry. As per the ranger, you can see views of the Las Vegas Valley from the end point of this trail.
- Petroglyph Wall Trail – Easy hike with less than a quarter mile of almost flat walk from the Willow Spring Picnic Area to see the Petroglyph Wall.
- Turtlehead Peak – Difficult 5-mile hike with 2000 feet of elevation gain. The trailhead starts at Sandstone Quarry.
Exploring the Red Rock Canyon hikes is a fun activity to do on a Vegas trip with your friends!
Red Rock Canyon Tours
If you are not driving to Red Rock Canyon yourself, the next best option is to book a tour from Las Vegas.
There are various types of tours available, and they usually include round-trip transportation from select Las Vegas Strip hotels. The tours take care of the entry reservations, so you don’t have to worry about that. Many also include bottled water and sometimes lunch.
Below are my top tour Red Rock Tour recommendations:
➡ Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive Tour – 4-hour morning tour to explore the scenic drive and stops. Great for photos.
➡ Red Rock Canyon Hiking Tour – 4-hour hiking tour with a guide. Choose from 3 different popular hiking trails of varying difficulties.
➡ Red Rock Canyon E-bike Tour – Explore the scenic drive on an electric bike with a guided tour group on this 4-hour tour.
➡ Red Rock Canyon Scooter Tour – Explore the scenic drive on a scooter on this 4-hour guided tour.
FAQs about visiting Red Rock Canyon
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Red Rock Canyon for planning your visit.
Is Red Rock Canyon worth visiting?
Being just a 20-minute drive away from Vegas and a natural outdoor area with stunning red rock formations makes Red Rock Canyon worth a quick morning or half-day getaway from Vegas. There are many excellent hikes and a 17-mile scenic drive here that make Red Rock worth visiting.
I believe visiting Red Rock Canyon is one of the best outdoor things to do in Las Vegas besides gambling!
Is there a shuttle from Las Vegas to Red Rock Canyon?
Currently, there’s no direct shuttle service. Driving yourself or taking a tour from Vegas is your best bet.
How much time do you need at Red Rock Canyon?
To fully enjoy the 17-mile scenic drive and its stops for photos, you will need an hour to 2 hours. If you want to do a hike in addition to the scenic drive, the time needed will depend on the chosen hike. Most tours are around 4 hours, which include transportation time from Vegas.
A visit to Red Rock can also be combined with a larger National Park road trip from Las Vegas, like to Death Valley National Park.
Can you tour Red Rock Canyon on your own?
Yes! We did the Red Rock Canyon scenic drive on our own with a rental car.
Can you go to Red Rock Canyon without a reservation?
From October to May, which is also the peak season, you need a timed entry reservation to enter the Red Rock Canyon scenic drive. From June to September, you do not need a reservation. Please note that it will be very hot for hiking as the entire area is exposed to the sun.
When is the best time to visit Red Rock Canyon?
The best time to visit Red Rock Canyon is during the cooler months, from October to May. This period offers pleasant temperatures ideal for hiking and outdoor activities, avoiding the intense heat of the summer months.
Early morning or evening visits are cooler and also have the best lighting to experience the vibrant colors of the rocks at sunrise or sunset.
Red Rock Canyon Travel Tips
Below are some travel tips based on my experience visiting the Red Rock Canyon –
- Start early to avoid the heat and crowds.
- Stay hydrated and carry enough water. The desert climate can be deceiving.
- Wear proper footwear for hiking.
- Go slow on the one-way scenic drive and take your time at the stops, as you cannot go back.
- The turnaround time at parking lots was quick, and we never had to wait too long.
- Lastly, check the weather before you go. We did not know that it was going to be super windy the day we visited (45 miles per hour wind speed!), and we missed out on hiking the Calico Tanks trail.
Where to stay for Red Rock Canyon
Because of its close proximity to Vegas, it’s very convenient to stay on the Las Vegas Strip and do a half-day trip or tour to Red Rock Canyon.
We usually stay on the Las Vegas Strip and most recently stayed at the Holiday Inn Club Vacations right opposite the Sphere. We had a two-bedroom apartment with a full kitchen. It is one of the best family friendly resorts in Las Vegas.
Red Rock Casino, Resort, and Spa is right outside Red Rock Canyon, with an awesome pool area if you want to stay off-strip in Vegas.
Final Takeaways: Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas, Nevada
Visiting Red Rock Canyon from Las Vegas is an excellent outdoor excursion and is just a short 20-minute drive away.
Whether you’re driving through the scenic loop like me, hiking one of the many trails, or taking part in a guided tour, you’re sure to leave with a deeper appreciation for the Mojave Desert’s rugged landscape.
Up next, check out my experience about visiting Hoover Dam from Vegas, another popular outdoor attraction from Vegas!
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