Red rocks feature promine in place names of Southwest USA - New Mexico, Arizona and California each have a Red Rock State Park and there are several similarly named towns in these and other states. Nevada has at least three Red Rock Canyons; two are in sections of the Toiyabe National Forest near the center of the state while by far the most well-known is location is along the east side of the Spring Mountains - one of the ranges of hills that surround most sides of Las Vegas. Just 10 miles from the city, the mountains rise to a great colorful escarpment, formed along a fault zone with peaks over 8,000 feet, and including huge cliffs and ravines composed of bands of grey, white and red rock, all heavily eroded. The wide empty plains beneath the hills are studded with Joshua trees and other desert plants, contributing to a most impressive spectacle.
Hotels: The nearest town with hotels close to Red Rock Canyon is of course Las Vegas - several hotels on the west side of the city are an easy 15 minute drive from the park boundary.
Charleston Boulevard: The canyon is easily reached, as one of the busiest east-west routes through the centre of the city leads directly to the park entrance - this is Charleston Boulevard, which crosses Las Vegas Boulevard ('The Strip') a few blocks beyond the Stratosphere Tower, northernmost of the large casinos. The look-alike suburbia extends for a long way - the road passes miles of seemingly identical shops and houses, and finally a number of large, luxurious walled estates. More of these are under construction and the most recent development is now just a few miles from the mountains - properties here enjoy sweeping views in both directions, since the whole city of Las Vegas is spread out to the east, and the cliffs and canyons are visible to the west.
The Park: After being quite straight for 13 miles, Charleston Boulevard bends to the left, becomes Blue Diamond Road (Highway 159) and climbs into the foothills. It follows alongside the cliffs for a few miles heading south then curves back towards the city. One elevated viewpoint (Red Rock Vista) affords the best overall view of the cliffs, while for closer access there is a 13 mile one-way scenic drive, within the NCA boundaries. The area is administered by the BLM, although as with all other NCA sites, the National Park Service Golden Eagle, Golden Access and yearly passes are valid. The standard entry fee is $5 per vehicle. Apart from usual Southwestern creatures, wildlife in the area includes herds of wild burros, descendants of animals used by miners early this century.
Places of Interest in Red Rock Canyon NCA: This is just a selection; there are many other overlooks and trails along narrow side-canyons.
- Calico Hills - a large outcrop of eroded red sandstone rock - excellent for climbing. There are several overlooks and short trails for the less energetic. The top of the ridge has good views over the colorful Calico Basin at the far side, and of all Las Vegas to the south - as ever the distinctive shapes of the casinos are clearly recognisable.
- Lost Creek Canyon - the largest canyon through the cliffs, which provides the only through route to the far side of the mountains. A 20 mile dirt track follows the streamway past more of the characteristic colorful, layered rocks, then across the western foothills to the desert town of Pahrump.
- Spring Canyon - a narrow, sheltered ravine with a short trail following alongside a creek bed to the base of a 30 foot waterfall - this is dry during summer although the creek does flow year round in one short section, where the waters rise up in a narrow, overgrown channel, trickle down the hillside for several meters then sink below ground again.
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Red Rock Canyon - Nearby Places
Las Vegas (15 miles) - world-famous casinos |
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