Red Rock Canyon Itinerary: 9 Things to Do in Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas
Red Rock Canyon is easily one of the most beautiful areas near Las Vegas and should be on every bucket list. Its 200,00 acres is the place near the city to enjoy hiking, rock climbing, and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
When I visited Las Vegas, I knew I wanted to spend time away from the hustle and bustle of the strip and get in some hiking. Red Rock Canyon was recommended to me by a few people, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint! I quickly fell in love with the area.
If you want to plan the ultimate Red Rock Canyon itinerary, you are in the right place! This guide has everything you need to know about the best things to do in Red Rock Canyon.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, my blog may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
Tips for Planning a Red Rock Canyon Itinerary
Get your Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive timed entry in advance. The scenic drive in Red Rock Canyon requires a timed entry reservation between October through May. I recommend getting this in advance because they can sell out.
Bring your America the Beautiful Pass if you have one. Red Rock Canyon has a fee to enter, but the America the Beautiful Pass covers this. If you plan to explore national parks within the year, it is worth it to get one!
Spend at least 1-2 days in Red Rock Canyon. Although you can drive the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive in a day, I recommend spending at least two days if you want to hike. If you plan to hike multiple trails, you may need more than two days. If you do not plan to hike or only hike one trail, you can see most must-see attractions within a day!
Start your day early. Red Rock Canyon receives about three million visitors a year, and it becomes crowded quickly even on weekdays. When I visited in March, we arrived around 10 AM and most of the parking lots were full. We had to wait a bit for parking spots, but as the day went on, the crowds increased significantly. We spent all day in the area, and around noon, Red Rock Canyon became incredibly crowded compared to the morning. I recommend starting early to enjoy the area with fewer crowds!
Pack sunscreen. Most areas in Red Rock Canyon have little to no shade, making it crucial to pack and wear sunscreen. When we visited, we reapplied sunscreen midday to help prevent us from burning. The sun was relentless!
Pack food and water before entering the park. Although Red Rock Canyon is near Las Vegas, I recommend packing the food and water you need because you will not want to leave the area once you get in. We spent all day in the park and packed everything we needed, so we could enjoy picnics in the park between hikes and exploring.
Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.
Where to Stay near Red Rock Canyon
Since Red Rock Canyon is right outside the city, Las Vegas is the best area to find accommodations for your getaway. You can, of course, stay on the strip if you want to spend time exploring that area, but you can stay closer to Red Rock Canyon and away from the crowds. I recommend staying outside of Red Rock Canyon on the west side of Las Vegas to avoid traffic and crowds.
Red Rock Canyon Hotels:
Red Rock Canyon Campgrounds:
What to Pack for Red Rock Canyon
Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Red Rock Canyon Itinerary Map
Red Rock Canyon Itinerary: Things to Do in Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas
Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive
One of the best things to do in Red Rock Canyon is explore its scenic drive. The stunning 13-mile scenic drive wanders through a beautiful area, providing incredible views and fun hiking trails. Most of the things to do in Red Rock Canyon I mention in this guide are along the scenic drive because it is the best place to visit in the park!
One of the best things about the scenic drive is there is something for everyone to enjoy! Red Rock Canyon has hikes for all levels, and roadside overlooks with just as beautiful views. We enjoyed a mix of both!
I will drive into the best hiking trails later in this guide, but if you do not want to hike, do not worry! The Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive has many beautiful roadside viewpoints to enjoy. A few of my favorite overlooks are Calico Hills Overlook, Sandstone Quarry Overlook, and High Point Overlook.
Once you explore the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive, you will see why it is one of the best things to do! It is a must-add to every Red Rock Canyon itinerary.
Calico Tanks Trail
Calico Tanks Trail is one of the most popular things to do in Red Rock Canyon, for good reason! The views along the hike are stunning, and the trail explores the Calico Tank at the end. The tank varies throughout the year, but you will see it with water, dried out, or iced over. It is beautiful either way!
The 2.4-mile round-trip trail is a fun adventure to Calico Tanks and begins at the Sandstone Quarry Overlook. It has a little bit of everything, including dirt trails and scrambling sandstone rocks. Because most of the trail is on sandstone rock, we were thankful to have shoes with good grip because even if they are not wet, the rocks are slippery!
The beginning of the Calico Tanks Trail follows near a large wash along an easy-to-follow dirt path before quickly traveling into the sandstone rocks. The trail has a few precarious spots traveling over slippery sandstone rocks, but we managed well because we had proper footwear.
The trail then travels up sandstone steps as it gradually ascends towards Calico Tanks. The last half mile of the trail gains the most elevation, but it was gradual and not overly difficult.
Once you arrive at the end, you will see Calico Tanks! Although it had not rained in a while when I visited, the tank had water, and it was stunning. It was a nice place to enjoy a snack before going to the parking lot.
If you want to add a fun hike to your Red Rock Canyon itinerary, Calico Tanks is perfect. It is easy to see why it is one of the best things to do in the area!
Turtlehead Peak Trail
Another beautiful trail in Red Rock Canyon near Calico Tanks is Turtlehead Peak. This trail is longer and more difficult than Calico Tanks but offers stunning views, making the effort worth it!
The 4.6-mile round-trip trail begins at the Sandstone Quarry Overlook and travels through a wash area before turning left to continue to the peak. The trail is easy to follow along the first half.
As the trail approaches Turtlehead Peak, it becomes a bit harder to follow. The trail is marked, but you need to pay attention and constantly keep an eye out for the trail markers. The Turtlehead Peak Trail gains most of its elevation on this section of the trail as well, but once you are at the top, you get stunning 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains.
Turtlehead Peak is a stunning hike that should be on everyone’s Red Rock Canyon itinerary if you are looking for a challenging hike!
Petroglyph Wall
Did you know Red Rock Canyon has petroglyphs that are over 800 years old?! The Petroglyph Wall was a fun and unexpected find when we visited Red Rock Canyon and is perfect for any itinerary since the hike is short and easy.
The Petroglyph Wall Trail is only 0.2 miles round trip, making it a great hike for the entire family. The trail begins at the Lost Creek Canyon parking area and travels left towards the wall. A quick walk along the trail brings you to the Petroglyph Wall with the historical rock art.
The views along the hike are stunning of the surrounding mountains, which is a bonus. It will make you quickly fall in love with this short and sweet trail in Red Rock Canyon.
Ice Box Canyon Trail
Ice Box Canyon is one of my favorite hikes in Red Rock Canyon and should be on every itinerary! This is one of the most popular hikes in the area, and once you hike it, you will see why.
The 2.1-mile round trip trail begins on the western side of the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive and provides stunning views of the mountains ahead along most of the hike. The first half-mile is relatively flat and gradually gains elevation over the last half-mile into the canyon.
As the trail approaches the mountains, it descends towards the creek where you get stunning views of the mountains in the background. This section of the trail is difficult to follow as it approaches the waterfall at the end.
The waterfall at the end of the Ice Box Canyon Trail is usually a trickle or does not exist, especially in the dry season, but it is still beautiful! The waterfall was dried up when we hiked to it, but the views were worth the hike.
Pine Creek Canyon Trail
If you are looking for an easy hike with beautiful mountain views, Pine Creek Canyon Trail is perfect! The 2.4-mile round-trip trail is relatively flat, offering stunning mountain views before leading to a small creek. The best views, in my opinion, are at the beginning of the trail.
If you want to make the hike slightly longer, you can add a loop at the end. This hike is 2.8 miles round trip and a great addition to any Red Rock Canyon itinerary! No matter which trail you take to hike to Pine Creek Canyon, you will quickly fall in love with the hike.
First Creek Canyon Trail
Red Rock Canyon does not only have trails along its scenic drive! There are plenty of nearby trails that offer stunning views and do not require purchasing a timed entry reservation for the scenic drive.
The 3.4-mile round-trip trail travels along an easy-to-follow path as it wanders toward the mountains. As you get closer to the mountains, the trail has a few falls you can see from the trail, but in the drier months, these will be dried up.
The First Creek Canyon Trail is gradual as it approaches the base of the mountains, making it the perfect thing to do in Red Rock Canyon for anyone looking for a fun hike! You will quickly see why this is a favorite hike.
Kraft Mountain Loop
Another trail outside of the scenic drive is Kraft Mountain Loop. This trail is incredibly popular because it offers stunning views of the red rocks and surrounding mountains. It is a must-have hike to any Red Rock Canyon itinerary if you want a challenging hike!
The 3.6-mile loop begins just north of the scenic drive entrance near Calico Basin, and I recommend hiking it clockwise if you want to get the steep section out of the way first. I always find it easier to ascend the steepest section.
The views along the trail are breathtaking, and the trail has the fun element of rock scrambling. It is one of the most beautiful trails in the area, and once you hike it, you will see why it is one of the best things to do in Red Rock Canyon if you want a challenging hike!
Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon
If you are a rock climber, you will love visiting Red Rock Canyon. We saw many people rock climbing when we visited and heard it is considered one of the best rock climbing areas in the world!
If you want to visit Red Rock Canyon, you are in the right place! This guide has everything you need to know about the best things to do in Red Rock Canyon to create the ultimate itinerary.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
Pin it for later!
