We have waterfalls in Las Vegas? Sort of…..in Red Rock Canyon and of course, they are seasonal! The best time to find water here in the desert is Spring time. These are easy hikes to either get your family started in hiking or just for a nice weekend adventure. Did we miss any hot spots? Let us know so we can add them!
Timed entry reservations are required for the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive between October 1 – May 31 for entry between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Timed entry reservations can be made at Recreation.gov HERE or by calling (877) 444-6777.
Red Rock Canyon was designated as Nevada's first National Conservation Area. Red Rock Canyon is located 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip on Charleston Boulevard/State Route 159. The area is visited by more than two million people each year. In marked contrast to a town geared to entertainment and gaming, Red Rock offers enticements of a different nature including a 13-mile scenic drive, miles of hiking trails, rock climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking, road biking, picnic areas, nature observing and visitor center with indoor and outdoor exhibits as well as a book store.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Daily Pass
Private Vehicle $20
Motorcycle $10
Bicycle $8
Pedestrian $5
America the Beautiful and other parks passes are also accepted.
4th Grade Students get a FREE National Parks Pass! FIND OUT HOW HERE!
Featured Events at Red Rock Canyon Visitors Center
October 2023
Solar Saturday
Saturday, October 14, 830am – 930am
Come to the Red Rock Canyon NCA visitors center to experience the 2023 solar eclipse with our interpretive naturalists. We will have solar eclipse glasses and information to share as we observe this unique event together.
For questions and registration call (702) 515-5367.
This program will take place outside, so please dress for the weather. Registration is required. Age Limit: 8+
Frogs and Froglets
Saturday, October 28, 10am – 1130am
This month’s topic will be spiders and insects. We will learn about some of the creepiest (or most misunderstood) critters of Red Rock Canyon NCA through a story, a walk and talk, and a craft.
Registration is required. Please call (702) 515-5367 for more information and to register. Ages 4-6. This program will take place outdoors. Please remember sunscreen, a hat, water, appropriate attire for the weather, and a snack/lunch for after the program. Reservations are required for entry into the Conservation Area.
November 2023
Frogs and Froglets
Saturday, November 18, 10am – 1130am
This month’s topic will be “The Desert is Our Home…and Theirs”. Come learn about our Desert habitat with story time, a short hike, and a craft.
Registration is required. Please call (702) 515-5367 for more information and to register.
Ages 4-6. This program will be held outside. Please remember sunscreen, a hat, water, appropriate attire for the weather, and a snack/lunch for after the program.
Family Nature Hike
Wednesday, November 22
Come join us for a pre-Thanksgiving hike at Willow Spring Loop, a 1.5-mile hike in the heart of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. We will enjoy beautiful views while learning about the wildlife and cultural history of the area.
Registration is required for the hike, and reservations are required to get into Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. For questions and registration call (702) 515-5367. Time of hike and meet-up location will be given during registration.
Ages 6+. Dress for the weather, wear proper footwear for hiking, and bring water and snacks. You may pack a lunch for after the hike. Restrooms are located at the trailheads. There is no cell service on the trail or in most areas of Red Rock Canyon. Please no pets on this hike, service animals are welcome.
December 2023
Storytime at Red Rock Canyon
Saturday, December 9, 2pm – 3pm
Welcome back to Storytime at Red Rock. This month’s book will be “Desert Night Shift A Pack Rat Story”. Come listen to a story about a little desert rodent who can’t seem to find enough stuff. Enjoy a craft and a treat with your nature-loving peers.
Registration is required as this program is limited to 15 kids. Call (702) 515-5367 for registration.
Ages 4-10. This program will take place outside at the Visitors Center amphitheater.
Frogs and Froglets
Saturday, December 16, 10am – 1130am
This month’s topic will be “Come with me for some Vitamin D.” We will learn about getting outside and enjoying the outdoors and everything it has to offer while also learning how to be stewards of the land. We will have story time, do an outdoor activity, and do a craft.
Registration is required. Please call (702) 515-5367 for more information and to register.
Ages 4-6. This program will be held outside. Please remember sunscreen, a hat, water, appropriate attire for the weather, and a snack/lunch for after the program.
Frogs and Froglets Seasonal Special
Wednesday, December 20
Come celebrate the month of December Red Rock Style with your nature loving pals. We will spend the morning making seasonal crafts, playing games, and having sweet treats.
Registration is required as this program is limited to 12 kids. For registration please call (702) 515- 5367. This program will be held outside so please dress for the weather. Age Limit: 4 – 6 years old.
Create Your Own Ornament
Tuesday, December 19, 9am – 12pm
It’s the most wonderful time of the year… to create ornaments! Join us at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area to create some ornaments for the Visitors Center Tree (or yourself). This event will be fun for the whole family, and anyone can come by and color their own ornament. Various holiday ornaments will be available and will consist of pictures of: different desert ecology to color in, menorahs to color in, kinaras to color in, and more! All are welcome to join in on the holiday fun! 🙂
Registration is not required, all are welcome. This presentation will be inside. But, while visiting Red Rock Canyon NCA is recommended to dress accordingly for the weather, wear sunscreen, bring a hat, sunglasses, and plenty of water, and if planning to hike wear sturdy shoes.
Red Rock Canyon: Know Before You Go
- Get gas before you go! The Red Rock Scenic Loop itself is 13 miles. Most of the hikes are not right off the loop.
- From October 1 – May 31, Red Rock Canyon requires a timed entry reservation. RESERVE YOUR ENTRY HERE.
- Bring plenty of water, regardless of the season.
- Use sunscreen and hats.
- Do No Feed or approach wild life. Burros are known for kicking, biting, and spitting!
- Bathrooms are not available at all trailheads.
- If you have a 4th grader, take advantage of the Every Kid in Park Program.
- Don’t miss the fun Events at the Visitor Center!
- Leave No Trace and Tread Lightly.
- Pets must be on a leash at all times.
Red Spring Boardwalk/Calico Basin
This hike is not in the Scenic Loop, so does not require timed entry or fees.
Hikes Peak does a great overview of the boardwalk area.
How to Get There: From the 215 Beltway, take the Charleston Blvd exit heading west for 3.8 miles. Turn right onto Calico Basin Road and follow to the fork in the road. Head right to the park. If you go left you will find more hiking but far less family friendly then Calico Basin!
This is a FEE FREE area. If you get to the Red Rock Scenic Loop on Charleston then you’ve gone too far.
Parking is plentiful and there are covered picnic tables. The restrooms are also usually clean and well kept. The boardwalk itself is a short walk with several information stations to educate about the area.
This is a protected path. DO NOT go off the boardwalk. You will often see groups of people off the boardwalk in the grass, PLEASE do not do this. Aside from being illegal, it’s hurting a precious birding area. Let’s respect the outdoors. You CAN hike around the fenced area! This is a great way to work up your kids skills in climbing up different rock faces and learning the etiquette of hiking.
- Stroller Friendly
- Great for Toddlers
- FREE Entry
- Covered Picnic Tables
- Bathrooms onsite
- Plenty of Parking
- 30 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip
Lost Creek Canyon Trail – Children’s Discovery Hike
How to get there: From the 215 Beltway, take Charleston Blvd. heading west. You will enter the Red Rock Scenic Loop. For the scenic route, you’ll want to follow the “Lost Creek Route” at guidepost #5.
There is a cute stopping area with a park bench shaded by trees accompanied by a small pond. The rock walk through takes you into a small canyon with a seasonal waterfall.
Hiking shoes aren’t really needed for this hike but you will want to bring water! The seasonal waterfall is more often then not a trickle. The best time of year to see water actually flowing is early Spring.
Pack a light lunch and have the kids scramble all over the rocks in the cool shade! This is a heavily hiked trail as it is super easy.
There are bathrooms at the trail head. If you continue driving past the parking area, you will find a picnic area you will love. This is great for finishing off your hike with more hydration and photos.
- 1 mile Hike
- Great for young hikers and some toddlers
- Seasonal Waterfall
- Bathroom onsite at trail head
- Picnic tables within 1 minute driving distance
- 1 hour from the Las Vegas Strip
First Creek Canyon Trail
This hike is not in the Scenic Loop, so does not require timed entry or fees.
The Hiking Guy has some great tips on this trail.
How to Get There: Heading west about 4 miles past the visitor’s center on highway 159, look for the First Creek Canyon trailhead sign.
This is a pleasant 3-mile walk across a desert valley to a little waterfall with cottonwood trees, willows, and other shade trees. The well-defined trail winds through the open desert, slowly making it’s way toward the canyon that is being cut by First Creek and then beyond to the rugged south side of Mt. Wilson.
After hiking for a mile, head toward the first big pine tree growing along the canyon rim. Next to this tree you’ll find a little unmarked trail leading into the canyon, toward a couple of big diamond-shaped composite rocks, and then downward to the waterfall. Soon after a small descent, you will find a rocky grotto that is covered with green ferns and tall shady trees fed by a large pool at the base of a waterfall.
- 3 mile Hike
- No Bathrooms
- Free Entry
- Street Parking only
- Seasonal Waterfall
- DO NOT PET or FEED the wild donkeys or any wild animal
- 1 hour from the Las Vegas Strip
Calico Tanks
Located inside the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Loop this requires a timed reservation and entry fee.
This hike is a 2.5 mile roundtrip adventure that will take about 2 hours to complete. Although you wont necessarily need hiking boots, this trail isn’t for the first time hiker. When taking kids on this trail, make sure they have experienced hiking and scrambling over rocks before. This is not considered an easy hike, but moderate.
This is not a summer hike. Please be mindful of temperatures when setting out for any hike, any time of year.
This is a local favorite for the amazing views and of course, finding water.
- 2.5 mile hike
- Fee Area
- No Bathrooms
- Children should be experienced hikers
- Gorgeous Views
- Perfect for the budding climber
La Madre Springs
This hike is inside the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Loop and requires an entry fee.
This moderate hike is a little over 3 miles and takes about 2 hours to complete. This trail doesn’t not actually go to La Madre Spring, it does go to the dam built in the 1960’s.
This is perfect hike for the Spring. The pinyon pine, juniper, and scrub oaks gives this hike a forest feel. Perfect for the enthusiastic hiker, parts of this hike are strenuous, as the trails climbs some 700 ft in only 1.8 miles it’s enough to tire you out!
The water at the dam provides habitat for tree frogs in the spring; water for birds, bighorn sheep, and other wildlife; and it sustains vegetation not often seen in the desert.
- 3 mile Hike
- Moderate Hike
- No Bathrooms
- Fee Entry
- 1 hour from the Las Vegas Strip
Girl Scout Trail
This is a 1.3 mile easy in and out trail. Access this trail from either the Ash Spring/Kraft Mountain Parking Lot or hiking to the north end of the Calico Basin trail.
Ash Spring Trail
From the Ash Spring Parking Lot, head west towards the Calico Hills and explore a dense grove of grass & ash trees! A seasonal spring runs through the area making it a true oasis in the desert and a great place to look for wildlife.
