Las Vegas Outdoors: Great Red Rock Canyon Hikes

Las Vegas Outdoors: Great Red Rock Canyon Hikes

Description:

West of Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon offers hikers a multitude of trails. The Fire Ecology trail, off the Pine Creek trail, is an easy path to the creek. Continue on the Pine Creek trail, and you’ll find the remnants of an old homestead. Willow Springs is another easy trail leading to riparian habitat. On the Ice Box Canyon and Calico Tanks trails, rock cairns help mark the way. The six-mile White Rock/La Madre Springs trail gives you a good view of the Keystone Thrust, some of Red Rock’s oldest rock formations. Access the First Creek trail off State Route 159; no entrance fee is required. ~Pictured: Ice Box Canyon~

Author: Terrisa Meeks
I'm a freelance writer and photograper, and I was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. Since I've... view profile
  • Fire Ecology Trail

    • Contact:

    • 702-515-5000
    • visit website
    • Location:

    • HCR 33, Box 5500
    • Las Vegas,NV89123
    • Map

    • user rating

    Description:

    Sitting within the Red Rock Canyon this easy double-looped trail is accessed via the Pine Creek Trail. Take the trail to the left heading toward the escarpment. Continue across a bridge and over a rise to enter the second loop. Next return across the same bridge and follow the trail back to the Pine Creek Trail.

  • Ice Box Canyon Trail

    Ice Box Canyon Trail - Las Vegas
    • Contact:

    • 702-515-5000
    • visit website
    • Location:

    • HCR 33, Box 5500
    • Las Vegas,NV89124
    • Map

    • user rating

    Description:

    From the parking lot, the trail heads down across the wash and up the other side toward the canyon. The trail is well defined as it leads you up the side of the canyon for approximately 3/4 of a mile. It then drops into the bottom of the canyon. From this point the trail becomes a route over or around boulders as it continues upstream. The official trail ends at the large Ponderosa Pine Trees in the bottom of the canyon ( 2.5 miles round trip ). To reach the upper pooled filled by a seasonal waterfall, be prepared for some tricky wall scrambling, and a 3 mile round trip.

  • Calico Tanks

    Calico Tanks - Las Vegas
    • Contact:

    • 702-515-5000
    • Location:

    • HCR 33, Box 5500
    • Las Vegas,NV89124
    • Map

    • user rating

    Description:

    From Sandstone Quarry the trail heads north from its junction with the Turtlehead Peak Trail to just past the Agave roasting pit site in Red Rock Canyon. Beyond this site the trail veers up a side canyon to the right where it follows ascending rock terraces to a large natural water tank (Tinaja). Water may be present in the tanks after seasonal rains. This 2.5 mile round trip is moderately strenuous and involves sock scrambling and route finding skills.

  • Willow Springs Loop Trail

    Willow Springs Loop Trail - Las Vegas
    • Contact:

    • 702-515-5000
    • visit website
    • Location:

    • HCR 33, Box 5500
    • Las Vegas,NV89124
    • Map

    • user rating

    Our Local Expert Says:

    The Children's Discovery Trail and Lost Creek Trail are also in this area, along with a picnic area at Willow Springs.

    Description:

    From the parking lot, follow the trail by the pit toilets south. This takes you past a pictograph site and Agave roasting pits, to the Lost Creek parking lot. There the trail heads uphill to a seasonal waterfall. Return by the same route. This popular trail may be crowded at times as it is used by many school groups.

    Please note: Carry water, at least one gallon per person per day in the summer. Wear appropriate footwear suitable for hiking and a hat. Watch the weather, mountain thunderstorms can cause flash flooding in the canyons and nearby washes.

  • First Creek Canyon Trail

    First Creek Canyon Trail - Las Vegas
    • Contact:

    • 702-515-5000
    • visit website
    • Location:

    • State Route 159, past Red Rock Canyon entrance
    • Las Vegas,NV89004
    • Map

    • user rating

    Description:

    This moderately strenuous trail leads to the mouth of the First Creek Canyon in Red Rock Canyon. Visitors to the trail need to follow the left side of the wash for a distance. Some rock scrambling is required thereafter. Seasonal waterfalls can be found in the canyon.

  • White Rock / La Madre Springs Loop Trail

    White Rock / La Madre Springs Loop Trail - Las Vegas
    • Contact:

    • 702-515-5000
    • Location:

    • HCR 33, Box 5500
    • Las Vegas,NV89124
    • Map

    • user rating

    Description:

    This trail can be started at White Rock Springs or Willow Springs in Red Rock Canyon and can be done either direction. By starting at Willow Springs hikers can deal with the steep climb to White Rock near the beginning of the hike, rather than at the end. When you come to a fork with a sign reading "White Rock Springs 2.2 miles", take the uphill trail to the left. Follow it to White Rock upper parking lot, continuing east from the lot. When the trail forks, go left and follow the trail until it intersects an old dirt road. Follow that road downhill to where it forks to the left, returning you to Willow Springs, or right to La Madre Spring.

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