Hiking Red Rock Canyon NCA in Nevada

Hiking or Driving in Red Rock Provides Unique Desert Experience

Jul 20, 2009

Select one or more of the nine hikes along the second half of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area scenic drive and see what makes the desert southwest unique.

Hike this area and view the unique geologic features, plants and animals that represent some of the best examples of the Mojave Desert. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (NCA) is located 15 minutes west of Las Vegas, Nevada. Designated as an NCA in 1990, there are 19 different stops along the scenic loop drive. Featured here are the nine stops that make up the second half of the loop drive, along with level of difficulty and estimated hiking time. Choose one or more to explore based on time constraints and fitness levels. These stops on the loop drive include viewing highlights, degree of difficulty and estimated round-trip hiking times.

SMYC

Access this trail from either Lost Creek or Ice Box Canyon trails. The trail follows the terrain at the base of the steep slope and connects the two trails. Moderate. 2 hours; 2.2 miles.

Ice Box Canyon

Proceed to Mile 8 to access the parking lot for this trail. The trail crosses open desert before it enters the canyon. The trails are unimproved and may require some rock scrambling. Highlights include seasonal waterfalls (January – March). Moderate. 2 hours; 2.6 miles.

Dale’s

Trail access can be found either at Ice Box Canyon or Pine Creek Canyon. The trail follows the terrain at the base of the steep slope and connects the two trails. Moderate. 2.5 hours; 4.4 miles.

Pine Creek Canyon

This trail has its own parking lot accessed from the Loop Drive. The trail traverses across the open desert, past an old homestead site and on into the canyon. Highlights include seasonal waterfalls. Unimproved trails within the canyon may require some tricky rock scrambling. Easy to Moderate. 2 hours; 3 miles.

Fire Ecology

Branching off Pine Creek Canyon Trail, this short, figure eight trail winds through a stand of Ponderosa Pine where a controlled burn had taken place. Easy. 55 minutes; .75 miles.

Oak Creek Canyon

Access via a dirt road from the Oak Creek Turnoff from the 13-mile Scenic Drive. Also accessible from State Route 159. The trails heads through open desert and on into the mouth of the canyon. Caution is recommended here as unimproved trails lead deep into the canyon. Easy to Moderate. 1.5 hours; 2 miles.

Arnight Trail

This trail can begin at the Oak Creek Canyon parking lot or by hiking the Pine Creek Canyon Trail. The trail actually connects the Oak Creek parking lot with the end loop of the Pine Creek Canyon Trail. Moderate. 1.5 hours; 2.4 miles.

Knoll Trail

The best way to access this trail is via the Oak Creek Canyon Trail. The trail links the upper section of the Arnight Trail with the Oak Creek Canyon Trail and follows the base of the steep slope. Moderate. 2.5 hours; 3.5 miles.

First Creek Canyon

Access the trail via State Route 159 (West Charleston Boulevard), 2.6 miles southwest of the exit to the 13-mile Scenic Drive. Leading to the mouth of the canyon, highlights include seasonal streams and waterfalls deep within the canyon. Easy to Moderate. 2 hours; 3 miles.

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