Want to get away from the Las Vegas Strip for a while and enjoy the great outdoors? Towering behind the Las Vegas skyline, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area’s iconic red-banded peaks are one of Southern Nevada’s most beloved outdoor destinations. More than 2 million people visit Red Rock Canyon each year to hike, bike, rock climb and more. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is located 20 miles west of Las Vegas, Nevada. This 197,000-acre area provides a 13-mile scenic one-way drive, offers more than 30 miles of hiking trails, picnic areas, and a Visitor Center with exhibit rooms and a bookstore. One of the first things to strike a visitor’s eye is the stunning sandstone rock formations and their red coloring.
The wide variety of diverse landscapes across this beautiful land offers endless opportunities for your outdoors experiences. You can choose to camp, mountain bike, climb, hike, hunt, fish and much more. The best observation points in the park are along the Rocky Gap Road, which can be hiked from Willow Springs or reached via a four-wheel drive.
—- Location —-
Red Rock Canyon is located on the west side of Las Vegas, Nevada. To get to Red Rock Canyon from McCarran International Airport get on I-215 west and follow it 15 miles to exit 26. Take exit 26 and get on NV-159 (West Charleston Boulevard) and follow the signs to the entrance of Red Rock Canyon.
—- Park Camping —-
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area has one developed campground. Red Rock Canyon Campground is located two miles east of the visitor center on West Charleston Blvd (State Route 159). This campground offers 71 individual sites and 7 group sites. The campground is closed in the summer due to extremely high temperatures. There are no electrical, water and sewer hook-ups. There is no dump station for recreational vehicles. There are no showers. Shade structures are available throughout the group sites and many of the individual sites. Backcountry camping is allowed within Red Rock Canyon NCA above 5,000 feet; backpack camping along the Rocky Gap Road is popular. The backcountry area is remote with no drinking water or firewood for campfires. There is no developed trail system in the backcountry.
—- Free Camping —-
Based on https://freecampsites.net/#!Las Vegas, NV, United States there are 14 free campsites with 24 miles of Las Vegas, Nevada.
—- Area Camping —-
https://www.campendium.com/camping/las-vegas-camping/
https://www.goodsam.com/campgrounds-rv-parks/nevada/
https://koa.com/campgrounds/las-vegas/local-area/
http://www.hprvp.com/
https://www.lasvegasrvresort.com/
—- Hiking & Biking & Horseback Riding —-
There are 26 hiking trails to choose from at Red Rock Canyon. For great exercise and beautiful views of Red Rock Canyon, pedal along several trails in Cottonwood Valley. This designated area is just south of the scenic drive, right off highway 160. There are more than 50 miles of stacked loops; pick the adventure and distance right for you! Horseback riding is allowed on dirt roads and two-tracks, and on some designated foot trails. Riding is prohibited on paved roads unless crossing is necessary or if the road is closed. Inquire at the visitor center for more information about trails open for horseback riding. Guided horseback rides in the Red Rock Canyon area are also available.
https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/nevada/red-rock-canyon-national-conservation-area
https://www.redrockcanyonlv.org/lasvegas/hikes-trails/
https://www.mtbproject.com/directory/red-rock-canyon-national-conservation-area
https://www.viator.com/tours/Las-Vegas/Guided-Mountain-Bike-Tour-of-Mustang-Trail
https://bonniesprings.com/horseback-riding-bonnie-springs-ranch/
https://www.cowboytrailrides.com/groups
—- Things to do —-
Red Rock Canyon’s 13-Mile Scenic Drive doubles as a backcountry byway. It is a 13-mile, paved, one-way scenic drive that passes through arid desert landscapes, red and buff colored rock formations, beautiful sandstone and limestone cliffs that reach elevations of 7,000 feet. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is one of the finest rock climbing areas in the world. If you have never climbed at Red Rock Canyon and are unfamiliar with route locations, a climbing guide is available with photos, route descriptions, and directions to provide you a brief idea of where to find established traditional and sports routes.
https://www.frommers.com/destinations/las-vegas/side-trips/red-rock-canyon
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/red-rock-canyon/activities/a/pa-act/
https://lasvegasliving.com/blog/things-to-do-red-rock-canyon/
https://www.aarp.org/travel/vacation-ideas/history-culture/las-vegas-things-to-do.html
https://www.thrillist.com/lifestyle/las-vegas/las-vegas-bucket-list
—- References —-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Rock_Canyon_National_Conservation_Area
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/red-rock-canyon-campground/
https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/nevada/red-rock-canyon
https://www.redrockcanyonlv.org/
http://www.friendsofredrockcanyon.org/
