RED ROCK CANYON NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA

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Red Rock Canyon is a day use area with the exception of the developed campground.  The Red Rock Overlook on SR 159 (W. Charleston Blvd) is open for one additional hour. Red Rock Canyon is located 19 miles West of Las Vegas.

VISITOR CENTER HOURS:
4 through October 2, 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

October 3 through April 3, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

W. Charleston Blvd is the most direct route to Red Rock Canyon from the “Strip,” however there are a series of signals and traffic can be slow. You should allow 25 minutes drive time from the Las Vegas Strip (Las Vegas Blvd).

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area holds a special place in the hearts of thousands of Las Vegans. In marked contrast to a town geared to entertainment and gaming, Red Rock Canyon offers enticements of a different nature. Peace, serenity and beauty are just a few words that will barely begin to describe what you will experience here. The Mojave Desert is not barren as you might think. It is teeming with life and beauty that in my opinion is rare and unique.
 

Petrified sand dunes, frozen in time, offer you a unique perspective of nature as well as the effects of the passing of millions of years. The excitement of suddenly appearing waterfalls, cascading into the canyons, will make you appreciate the mysteries and the hidden dangers of the Mojave. Red tailed hawks search for their next meal while drifting on air currents high above the desert floor.

Whether you are a local Las Vegan, or just visiting, take some time out and enjoy the desert on a personal level. A word of caution, bring plenty of water and a good set of hiking shoes. You will definitely want to get out of the car and enjoy nature the way it was intended.

BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING

Backcountry camping is allowed within Red Rock Canyon above 5,000 feet. A permit is required and can be obtained by calling: 702-515-5050. The backcountry area is remote with no drinking water or firewood for campfires. There is no developed trail system in the backcountry.

Ground fires are prohibited, camping stoves are permitted. To minimize conflicts with wildlife, pets should be on a leash. Pets must be leashed at the visitor center and campground. Pet waste must be cleaned up.
 

Please carry out all trash. Litter is an eyesore and a hazard to wildlife. Trash cans are located at parking lots along the Scenic Drive and in Willow Springs.
 

BICYCLES AND RED ROCK

Bicycles are allowed on all paved or unpaved roads and two-tracks, but not on designated hiking trails. All bikes are obligated to follow motor vehicle road regulations on the scenic drive and highway; particularly those laws relating to one-way travel on the scenic drive, riding abreast, and slow traffic keep right

HIKING AND HIKING SAFETY

Hikers should stay on established trails. Cutting across switchbacks damages soils and plants, and severely damages the trail. Thin black crusts of moss and lichen cover open areas and protect desert soils from wind and rain erosion; any foot traffic quickly destroys the crusts which heal very slowly. Off-trail hikers should spread out in small groups, and hike on rock areas as much as possible.

Each year people are lost, injured, and sometimes killed while visiting Red Rock Canyon. For your safety, please follow these simple rules:

When hiking, stay on established trails and watch your footing at all times. Steep slopes and cliff edges are dangerous.  Do not roll or throw rocks and other items from high places; other visitors may be below you. Watch out for snakes on rocks and avoid contact.

Temperatures can exceed 105 °F (41 °C) in Red Rock Canyon. It is suggested you drink four liters of water per day in the summer, but do not drink untreated water as it may be contaminated.

Avoid drainages after thunderstorms or severe weather because of flash floods. Stay away from high points during thunderstorms; lightning can kill.

Wildlife may appear to be tame, but may attack if threatened. Stay a safe distance away while observing animals.

Horseback Riding

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.

Watch children closely; they often do not recognize potential dangers.

The burros at Red Rock Canyon are not domesticated animals and can be dangerous. Do not feed or pet the burros. Feeding burros encourages these animals to congregate on roadways where many have been killed and injured by vehicles. To observe these animals safely: pick a safe place to stop; pull completely off the roadway, observe the burros from a distance. Staying in your car is the safest way to photograph and observe the burros.

PETS

Pets are welcome at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Pets are permitted on trails, and should be leashed to minimize conflicts with other people, other pets and native wildlife. Pet owner is required to clean up pet waste (baggies for waste disposal are available in the campground and at the Scenic Drive fee station).

In the campground, pets must be leashed at all times. Pets may not be left unattended. Pet owner is responsible for picking up pet waste. Pets must be leashed at other developed facilities such as the visitor center, Willow Springs picnic area and Red Rock overlook.

Pet owners are reminded that summertime can reach to temperatures above 110 F and leaving a pet in a vehicle can endanger their life.

RESOURCE PROTECTION

The Red Rock Canyon was established to protect the unique natural and cultural resources found here. One million people visit Red Rock Canyon each year and minor damage or removal of resources by individuals quickly adds up to serious resource destruction. It is important that each person visiting the area use extra care to help protect these resources; careless use, or collection of rocks, live or dead plants, wildlife, or artifacts of prehistoric human use will deprive future visitors of the opportunity to experience these attractions. Defacing, damaging, removing or digging for anything is prohibited by law.

CAMPGROUND LOCATION

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area has one developed campground. Opened in 1998 to replace the Old Oak Creek Campground, and formerly known as the 13-Mile Campground, the Red Rock Canyon Campground is located two miles east of the visitor center on W. Charleston Blvd (State Route 159). The campground is located one mile south on Moenkopi Road from the junction with W. Charleston Blvd. The campground is two miles from the Red Rock Canyon visitor center and 13-Mile Scenic Drive.
 

SEASON, HOURS OF OPERATION, AND WEATHER

Access to the campground is open 24 hours a day. There is no check-in, however, payment of fees must be made within 30 minutes of arrival at a self-registration station. The campground may be closed during the summer (June, July and August) due to funding and low use considerations.

The campground experiences heavy usage from mid-October through the end of November, and during all of March and . Inclement weather can occur at anytime, with the possibility of freezing temperatures between December and February. There is no shade in the campground, and tents should be secure as spring winds can be very strong.

CAMPGROUND FACILITIES

The campground is a dry facility. Major improvements are anticipated in the next few years. The roads are gravel. Electrical, water and sewer hook-ups are not available. There is no dump station for recreational vehicles. Restrooms are pit toilets. Showers are not available. There is no shade in the campground. Water faucets for drinking water are located throughout the campground. In the group campground 200 gallon water tanks are used for drinking water. Firewood is for sale by the campground hosts and is available between September 1 and May 31. There are no formal hiking trails in the campground area, however there are miles of old dirt roads closed to vehicles which you can hike on. This campground is a mixed use campground. Campers with tents, and recreational vehicles are intermixed in the area. Generators are permitted between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
 

Camping Fees/Limits

The campground has 71 individual campsites (including 14 walk-in sites) and five group campsites. To make the campsite availability fair to all, there is a 14-day limit in effect.

Individual Campsites

Limit 10 people per campsite;

$10 per night per site;

Two vehicles per site;

A sand tent pad is provided for approximately 2-3 tents.

Group Campsites

10 to 20 people per site;

$25 per night per site;

Up to eight vehicles per site.

Golden Age and Golden Access card holders receive a 50% discount on camping fees, except for the group campground. The Golden Eagle Pass, Red Rock Canyon Annual Pass, and National Parks Pass are not accepted.

Campground Rules

You are responsible for knowing campground rules and regulations.

Pets must be leashed at all times;

Pet waste must cleaned up by pet owner;

Pets may not be left unattended;

Maximum 14-day limit;

Quiet hours are from 10 pm until 6 am (the use of generators and radios prohibited during this time)

Campground Reservations

Reservations for the 71 individual campsites is not allowed. It is not suggested to arrive in the middle of the night in the hopes of locating an empty campsite, especially during the fall and spring. The Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday periods are also very busy.