• What is Red Rock Canyon?
  • Who manages Red Rock Canyon?
    • The conservation area is managed by the Southern Nevada Conservancy in partnership with the United States Bureau of Land Management.
  • How large is Red Rock Canyon?
    • The park spans close to 196,000 acres of the eastern Mojave Desert.
  • Does Red Rock Canyon have natural springs?
    • Yes, the area is rich in year-round springs.
  • What plant life can be found in Red Rock Canyon?
    • Notable plants in the area include the Joshua Tree, Yucca, Agave, and Utah Juniper.
  • What wildlife inhabits Red Rock Canyon?
    • The park is home to wild burros, rabbits, and Desert Bighorn Sheep and is a protected area for the Desert Tortoise.
  • How many hiking trails are at Red Rock Canyon?
    • Red Rock Canyon features 26 hiking trails ranging from easy to strenuous.
  • What are some highlighted hikes at Red Rock Canyon?
    • Bridge Mountain: A 14-mile strenuous loop averaging 7 hours, starting at the Willow Spring Picnic area and passing through a pinyon-juniper forest to a sandstone peak.
    • La Madres Springs: A moderate hike following an old canyon road past sandstone cliffs and limestone mountains, ending at a 1960s concrete dam near the springs, a great spot for spotting Desert Bighorn Sheep.
    • Petroglyph Wall Hike: An easy 30-minute hike covering just over a tenth of a mile, leading to an 800-year-old rock wall drawing.
    • Lost Creek Children’s Discovery Trail: A one-hour easy hike featuring diverse plant life, a petroglyph, an agave roasting pit site, and a seasonal waterfall.
  • Is rock climbing available at Red Rock Canyon?
    • Yes, Red Rock Canyon is one of the top five climbing destinations in the United States, with over 2,000 climbing routes ranging from beginner to expert.
  • What should climbers know about Red Rock Canyon?
    • The primary rock type is Aztec sandstone, which can be brittle and slippery after rain; climbers are advised to wait 24 to 48 hours after rainfall before climbing.
    • The major climbing routes overlap with the Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, where bolting is not allowed.
    • Late exit and overnight bivy permits are available for climbers on multi-pitch routes and designated walls.
  • What is the scenic drive at Red Rock Canyon?
    • A 13-mile one-way scenic drive begins at the Visitor Center, with parking areas, picnic spots, trailheads, and overlooks along the route.
  • What activities are allowed along the scenic drive?
    • Cycling is allowed on the scenic drive, and both cycling and off-road driving are permitted on designated trails.
  • Does Red Rock Canyon have a campground?
    • Yes, the Red Rock Canyon Campground is the only developed campground in the park, open from September through May each year.
    • The campground offers shade structures but no amenities for RVs.
  • What is the history of human habitation at Red Rock Canyon?
    • Humans have lived in the area for over 12,000 years, with the Southern Paiute being among the most recent native residents.
    • In the early 1900s, a small sandstone quarry operated but was shut down, leaving behind large sandstone blocks.
    • In 1967, the Bureau of Land Management donated 10,000 acres to create the Red Rock Recreation Area.
    • By 1990, the land was designated as a National Conservation Area, protecting it from future development.
  • What educational programs and events are offered at Red Rock Canyon?
    • Events are led by Certified Interpretative Guides (CIG) and include:
    • Guided Hikes: Full Moon Walks, Calico Basin Night Hikes, and interpretive walks along Pine Creek Canyon, Moenkopi Loop, and Fossil Ridge.
    • Fossil Walks: Hosted at the Visitor Center, highlighting remnants of ancient life.
    • Meet the Plant People: An all-ages walk around the Visitor Center explaining how desert plants function similarly to people.
    • Red Rock Canyon Mammals: A Visitor Center event showcasing preserved animal specimens.
    • Animal Tracking: A hands-on experience teaching visitors to identify animal footprints, scat, and habitats.
    • Nevada’s State Reptile Presentation: An educational session about the Desert Tortoise, hosted at the Visitor Center habitat.

Address: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, State Highway 159, Las Vegas, NV 89161, Phone: 702-515-5350

Map:


Plan Your Trip