While Red Rock Canyon NCA spans nearly 200,000 acres, the most popular area for visitors is the Red Rock Canyon NCA visitor center and scenic loop. The visitor center is conveniently located 17 miles west of the Las Vegas strip. Enter “Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center” into your favorite map app for accurate driving directions from your location.
Note that the Visitor Center and Scenic Loop are within a gated fee area that does require a timed reservation in addition to your paid entry during the busy season (October – May). You may use your America the Beautiful National Parks annual pass, a Red Rock Canyon annual pass or pay for a one-time entry pass based on your method of transportation. The BLM website for Red Rock Canyon NCA has all of information you need about hours of operation, timed entry reservations and how to purchase them, fee information, etc.
Red Rock Canyon NCA is a desert environment with very limited food and water options; there are a few vending machines at the Visitor Center and no water or food available on the one-way 13-mile scenic loop or hiking trails. If driving from central Las Vegas, the last stop for gas, food or water is the shopping plaza at West Charleston Blvd (159) and Desert Foothills Dr. in west Summerlin. There is no EV charging in Red Rock Canyon NCA.
There is limited to no cell phone reception within the Red Rock Canyon NCA; if using a ride share service, you may have difficulty arranging return transportation. We recommend scheduling your return trip in advance. In addition, there is limited hiking available from the fee booth or Visitor Center. While still beautiful, you will not be able to access the majority of the scenic loop without a private vehicle.
The visitor center’s elevation is 3,720 feet (1,134 meters), and many trails and peaks are even higher; this is almost double the elevation of the Las Vegas strip. Therefore, weather at Red Rock Canyon NCA can vary significantly from central Las Vegas. Make sure to check weather conditions and forecasts in Red Rock Canyon NCA to ensure you are prepared. Red Rock Canyon NCA often experiences high winds and precipitation (rain and snow) that doesn’t reach the valley. In addition, areas of the NCA are prone to flash flooding during and after rain. Please research the dangers associated with flash floods in the Mojave Desert and avoid hiking and climbing on wet sandstone.
Red Rock Canyon NCA is a desert environment with very limited food and water options; there are a few vending machines at the Visitor Center and no water or food available on the one-way 13-mile scenic loop or hiking trails. If driving from central Las Vegas, the last stop for gas, food or water is the shopping plaza at West Charleston Blvd (159) and Desert Foothills Dr. in west Summerlin. There is no EV charging in Red Rock Canyon NCA.
There is limited to no cell phone reception within the Red Rock Canyon NCA; if using a ride share service, you may have difficulty arranging return transportation. We recommend scheduling your return trip in advance. In addition, there is limited hiking available from the fee booth or Visitor Center. While still beautiful, you will not be able to access the majority of the scenic loop without a private vehicle.
The visitor center’s elevation is 3,720 feet (1,134 meters), and many trails and peaks are even higher; this is almost double the elevation of the Las Vegas strip. Therefore, weather at Red Rock Canyon NCA can vary significantly from central Las Vegas. Make sure to check weather conditions and forecasts in Red Rock Canyon NCA to ensure you are prepared. Red Rock Canyon NCA often experiences high winds and precipitation (rain and snow) that doesn’t reach the valley. In addition, areas of the NCA are prone to flash flooding during and after rain. Please research the dangers associated with flash floods in the Mojave Desert and avoid hiking and climbing on wet sandstone.
Below are various resources to plan your visit:
BLM Red Rock Canyon NCA website – for the most current and detailed information to plan your visit
Recreation.gov – for fee information and reservations (required October – May annually)
Keystone Visitor & Trail Map – for information on the Red Rock Canyon NCA visitor center, scenic loop and popular hiking trails and viewpoints
Red Rock Canyon NCA Area Map – shows the location of the NCA and key features in relation to Las Vegas and other nearby areas.
Red Rock Canyon Campground – for camping information
Recreation.gov – to make a camp site reservation at Red Rock Canyon Campground
Seasonally, Trail Access Project, a local non-profit whose mission is to provide meaningful access to nature for people with disabilities, offers adaptive hikes in Red Rock Canyon NCA. Their website provides their hiking calendar.
Below are links to information sheets about Red Rock Canyon NCA available in multiple languages. These information sheets cover recreational opportunities, safety, prehistoric features, Euro-cultural features, geologic history, rock/mineral types, and graffiti.
To minimize paper consumption during your visit and to support the conservation area’s mission, we encourage you to print a copy at home or save a digital version on your mobile device.
