1000 Scenic Drive (off West Charleston Boulevard), Las Vegas, NV
702-515-5350
The 197,000-acre Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, which is located just 15 miles West of Las Vegas, offers visitors the chance to view fascinating geological formations and outcroppings along a 13-mile scenic loop drive (highlights inlcude the colorful sandstone Calico Ghills, the limestone Indian roasting pits and the petroglyphs at Willow Springs), as well as more than 30 miles of hiking trails, picnic areas and a Visitor Center that contains exhibits and a bookstore.
In addition to hiking, Red Rock Canyon provides opportunities for biking and horseback riding, as well as rock climbing and backcountry camping (a permit is required for both activities). Animals that call Red Rock Canyon their home include packs of wild burros, coyotes, gray foxes, desert bighorn sheep, bobcats, mountain lions, rabbits, kangaroo rats, bats, shrews, snakes and lizards. The entrance fee to Red Rock Canyon is $5 per vehicle. Red Rock Canyon is open daily from 7 AM to dusk, while the Visitor Center is open daily from 8 AM to 4:30 PM.
