The Red Rock Canyon Scenic Loop is 12 miles long and takes about 30 minutes to drive without stops. You could spend weeks exploring Red Rock and still not see everything! If you have 90 minutes, we recommend Calico Tanks #1 and the High Point Overlook. And if you have a few hours to spare, throw in the Petroglyph Wall Trail and Icebox Canyon, both of which are iconic!

The Red Rock Visitor Center is a great place to fill up water bottles and use the restroom, as well as talk to the friendly Rangers and pick up a memento in the gift shop. If you’re short on time, we recommend continuing onto the Scenic Loop, as much of what you’ll learn at the Visitor Center will be covered in this Audio Guide. Keep in mind that the Scenic Loop is one-way, so this is your only chance to stop at the Visitor Center without passing through the entrance gate a second time.

Calico Hills #1 is one of the most popular hiking spots in Red Rock, and for good reason. Although it can be busy, it’s your first opportunity to get up-close-and-personal with the beautiful Aztec Sandstone. From the parking lot you’ll descend a steep-but-short trail to a maze of huge blood-red Jurassic-aged boulders. This is a great first stop for newcomers to Red Rock!

Calico Hills North receives far fewer visitors than Calico Hills #1, so it’s a good spot if you’d like to explore this geologic wonderland with fewer crowds. However, the parking lot only has about 15 parking spaces, so it can fill up by mid-morning.

Sandstone Quarry is the jumping-off point for a number of trails, including the strenuous Turtlehead Peak Trail, which takes about 4 hours to complete. The sandstone quarry that gives this stop its name is a short walk from the parking lot, which has plenty of parking and bathrooms. This is also the trailhead for the popular Calico Tanks Trail, which offers fantastic views of the city and is a great informal picnic spot for hikers willing to do a little scrambling.

High Point Overlook is a must-stop for all visitors to Red Rock, in spite of the small parking lot. This overlook offers commanding views of the entire National Conservation Area, including the 180 million year old red sandstone cliffs that tower 2,000′ above the valley floor.

There are two parking lots for the White Rock and Keystone Thrust trailheads–a lower one right off the scenic loop, and the upper lot 2 miles down a graded dirt road. Cars should drive slowly along the dirt road so they don’t get damage their tires. There are a number of longer trails that start at the upper parking lot, including the Keystone Thrust trail, a 2 mile out-and-back that includes one of the most famous geologic features in Nevada, where 380 million year old grey limestones have been thrust on top of 180 million year old red sandstones. If you only have 20 minutes, park at the upper lot and walk over to White Rock Spring, which gives you a great chance of seeing unique birds, mammals, and reptiles of Red Rock Canyon.

Lost Creek Canyon is the first opportunity to get close to the 2,000′ blood red sandstone cliffs that can be seen from across the Las Vegas valley. These towering cliffs offer world-class rock climbing opportunities, and climbers can often be seen clinging perilously hundreds of feet above Terra Firma. There are multiple trails in Lost Creek Canyon, including the hour-long Children’s Discovery Trail with informational signs describing the flora and fauna. The Petroglyph Wall hike is only a quarter mile and offers a pristine example of Native American rock art. There are also a number of picnic tables at the Willow Springs picnic area.

Icebox Canyon is perhaps the most famous of Red Rock’s imposing canyons. The 2.5 mile scrambling hike into Icebox Canyon rewards visitors with cooler temperatures and natural springs that sustain an ecosystem unique from the valley below. The hike doesn’t have any shade for the first half mile, so be sure to take a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water.

Red Rock Wash is a quick stop that offers pleasant views of the valley and a diverse array of cactus scattered around the desert near the small parking lot. Watch your step!

Pine Creek is another steep, dramatic canyon that offers cool temperatures and a unique micro-climate. The Ponderosa Pines that give this canyon its name are a holdover grove from the last Ice Age–these cool-weather trees have managed to hang on in this location due to the cool temperatures and cold spring water that emerges at the mouth of the canyon. The Pine Creek Trail takes about an hour and a half and is another sunny, exposed hike. If you have the time and the appropriate gear (backpack, water, hat, sturdy shoes), it’s a Red Rock Classic.

Like its neighbors Pine Creek and Icebox, Oak Creek Canyon is home to plants and animals that can’t survive in the hot, dry desert valley of Las Vegas. The 2 mile Oak Creek Trail starts after a half mile drive down a dirt road which should be fine for most vehicles–just take it slow. This sunny hike doesn’t have much shade, but does offer beautiful views of the canyon and can have seasonal trickles of water after rain or snow.

The final stop on the Scenic Loop is the Lower Red Rock parking area, which is a popular place for locals to saddle up their horses and go for a trail ride. If you’re looking for a unique selfie, this is a great spot to stop before you get back on Highway 159 and head back to Vegas. Park in the dirt lot, and then walk back across the Scenic Loop along the horse trails. There are some beautiful, healthy Joshua Trees along these trails that make for a great photo opportunity with the dramatic cliffs of Red Rock in the background.