10 Best Hiking Trails In Red Rock Canyon, Nevada

hiking in red rock canyon
Ibrahim
Ibrahim 
Published
| 5 min read

Red Rock Canyon is located in a scenic national conservation area in the heart of Mojave Desert. This upscale area is known for its tall red hills, narrow canyons, breathtaking rock formations, seasonal waterfalls, and large sandstone walls. A plethora of outdoor activities are available to all visitors. With its picturesque scenery, this place is perfect for biking, rock climbing, hiking, wildlife watching and a lot of other outdoor activities. One thing the area is known for is its amazing hiking trails. The entire 13-mile (20.9 kilometer) drive of the canyon area is filled with some of the best hiking trails in the country. Some of these paths are easy to overcome, while others are more challenging, but all the trails offer you a pleasant time in nature. Here are some of the top hiking trails in Red Rock Canyon, Nevada, for you to try.

1. Keystone Thrust Trail

Keystone Thrust, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Near Las Vegas, Nevada (18199628021)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ken Lund used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Red Canyon’s most popular and essential feature, Keystone Thrust, offers you a fantastic trail to hike. The Keystone Thrust Trail allows you to see this unique formation up close and also enjoy some remarkable views of the entire area. The trail is about 2.2 miles (3.5 kilometers) long, and starts by hiking up a gradual hill, then on to a saddle, and further straight to the red rock ridge. It is a relatively easy hike and can be taken by beginners, too.

Keystone Thrust Trail

Address: Nevada 89161, USA

Website: Keystone Thrust Trail

Visited this place?

2. Calico Tank Trail

Red Rock Canyon - Calico view point Las Vegas
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Samartur used under CC BY-SA 3.0

A very popular hike in the conservation area, this trail is a 2.5-mile (4.02 kilometer) in-and-out hike. Take up the challenge of this intriguing trail that’s filled with surprises at each turn. The trail begins through a wash and takes you through a canyon, up hills and boulders, and offers you a magnificent view at the summit. Calico Tank is a bit tricky at some points, and you may even need to use your hand and feet to climb through some parts of the trail. It’s a trail for intermediate level hikers and experts.

Calico Tank Trail

Address: Calico Tanks, Las Vegas, NV 89161, United States

Website: Calico Tank Trail

Opening hours: 6am - 7pm (daily)

Price: 25 USD

Visited this place?

3. Willow Spring Loop Trail

Looking back up to the Willow springs picnic area from the trail. There's a 4x4 road, Rocky Gap Road that cuts through...

Posted by Robert Shaw on Sunday, 31 January 2016

One of the most extended hiking tracks in the area, Willow Spring Loop is a great hiking track. This 4.4-mile (7-kilometer) long trail starts at the White Rock Parking area and takes you through a variety of captivating scenery and sites that make for great photo-ops. You will pass through forested regions of pine trees, open space desert regions, fantastic rock formations and a picnic area, where you can take a break and enjoy a picnic. After then, you will continue on the trail and walk up a dirt road and then get back to the White Rock parking area.

Willow Spring Loop Trail

Address: 1000 Scenic Loop Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89161, United States

Website: Willow Spring Loop Trail

Opening hours: 6am - 5pm (daily)

Visited this place?

4. Ice Box Canyon Trail

Brittany Eskildson Ice Box Canyon Trail at Red Rock Canyon. Las Vegas, NV 3/11/19

Posted by Klamath Falls News on Tuesday, 19 March 2019

Another popular hike in the area, Ice Box Canyon Trail is one of the most enjoyable trails in the area. The hiking track is gorgeous during April when the wildflowers are blooming. From its starting point, this 2.6 miles (4.18 kilometers) trail offers you mesmerizing views of the canyon’s mouth, and as you hike along with it, you’ll encounter sheer stone walls, lush foliage areas, and even large boulders. The hike gets more difficult as you go deeper and just so you know, there is no crime in not completing this trail. Most hikers do not complete it. Nevertheless, it still offers an amazing hiking experience.

Ice Box Canyon Trail

Address: Nevada 89161, USA

Website: Ice Box Canyon Trail

Visited this place?

5. Turtlehead Peak Trail

Turtlehead Peak from the Kraft Mountain Trail, Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada - Nathanael Hill

Posted by The American Southwest on Sunday, 13 January 2019

Are you looking for a thrilling, adrenaline-pumping trail that culminates with a view of the full park and its surrounding areas? Then, Turtlehead Peak is where you should go! This arduous 5-mile (8 kilometer) hike is not for the faint-hearted as it involves getting as high as 2,000 feet (609 meters) of elevation and climbing over rocks. The trail also has some parts with exposed ledges, so it’s best for experienced hikers only. If you can continue to the end of this trail, you will be rewarded with one of the most captivating sights you’ll ever see.

Turtlehead Peak Trail

Address: Nevada 89161, USA

Website: Turtlehead Peak Trail

Price: 7 USD

Visited this place?

6. Children's Discovery Trail

Lost Creek Trail; Children's Discovery at Red Rock Canyon

Posted by Christina Ramos on Sunday, 29 September 2013

Even though it’s called the Children’s Discovery Trail, this hike is not an easy trail meant for kids only. The track is moderately challenging, narrow, and takes you through trees, stone stairs, petroglyphs, stone covered tunnels, a boardwalk, and if you visit during the right season, you will get to see a remarkable waterfall, too. At just 0.75 miles (1.2 kilometers) long, this trail offers you a lot of things to experience and have an enjoyable time. Hikers of any level of expertise can complete this trail.

Children's Discovery Trail

Address: Children’s Discovery Trail, Las Vegas, NV 89161, United States

Website: Children’s Discovery Trail

Visited this place?

7. Moenkopi Loop

On the Moenkopi Loop. 590nm Infrared photograph taken November 2019 in Red Rock Canyon,...

Posted by GalleryPlus on Friday, 29 November 2019

A relatively easy hiking track to take on, Moenkopi Trail gets a good number of visitors and outdoor lovers every year. This loop trail is about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) long, and goes right through the beautiful landscape of the Nevada region. Popular among locals, the loop offers you the chance to see the beautiful wildflowers lining its pathways; overcome a few rugged terrains and enjoy the great sites of the conservation area while hiking. All levels of hikers can complete it, and dogs are allowed – they must always be leashed.

Moenkopi Loop

Address: Nevada 89161, USA

Website: Moenkopi Loop

Visited this place?

8. La Madre Spring

Miner's Cabin on the La Madre Springs Trail, Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada - Nathanael Hill

Posted by The American Southwest on Sunday, 31 March 2019

A challenging trail to take on, the La Madre Springs Trail is one hiking path you should check out if you are an experienced hiker. This well-known track can be completed on its own or joined by people already on the Willow Springs trail. La Madre is about 3.5-mile (5.6 kilometer) long and it’s an out-and-back trail. The trail gets a lot of visitors each year and features several sightseeing opportunities. There is an incredible waterfall along its path and it is open year-round.

La Madre Spring

Address: Nevada 89161, USA

Website: La Madre Spring

Visited this place?

9. Pine Creek Canyon

Pine Creek Canyon 1
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Stan Shebs used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Pine Creek Canyon is an exciting trail in the heart of Red Rock Canyon Conservation Park. It hosts a lot of hikers and sightseers each year. This out-and-back trail is a great place to stretch out your legs and test your hiking endurance. The path is about 3.4 miles (5.47 kilometers) long, and is excellent for all hikers, regardless of your hiking skill. While hiking this track, you will be treated with mesmerizing views of the canyons, rocky tunnels, and a waterfall. It is open all year-round and dogs are permitted, too.

Pine Creek Canyon

Address: Scenic Loop Dr Las Vegas, NV 89161, USA

Website: Pine Creek Canyon

Visited this place?

10. Calico Hills

Calico Hills The Magic Bus 2
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Stan Shebs used under CC BY-SA 3.0

When you think of Red Rock Canyon, the stunning red Calico Hills are what come to mind first. These massive boulders and rock hills, coupled with their unique colors, are the most prominent feature of this popular tourist area. And just as they stand, there is a great hiking trail that runs right through the hills. The trail, which is about 6 miles (9.56 kilometers) in length, starts from the Calico Hills Visitor Center and runs by the red stone ridge, and then through the Sandstone Quarry. It is divided into two shorter parts so everyone can attempt it, regardless of the level of expertise.

Calico Hills

Address: Nevada 89161 USA

Website: Calico Hills

Visited this place?

Immerse yourself in the outdoor beauty of the Red Rock Canyon

The Red Rock Canyon is the main symbol of the Nevada Desert area. These hills, sitting not very far from Las Vegas, are one of the most visited tourist attractions in the area. Standing tall and red, these hills can be seen from miles away, and they offer amazing outdoor scenery to all its visitors. A visit to this place is never complete without going on one of these hiking trails in Red Rock Canyon, Nevada.

Visited this place?
Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Ibrahim is a passionate writer with a keen interest in traveling. He not only travels to discover the world but also himself. And when it comes to writing, Ibrahim loves to keep it simple with a...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore Red Rock Canyon
Looking for accommodation?
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.