Red Rock Canyon Hikes: 7 Best Trails Worth the Timed Entry Ticket
Red Rock Canyon is 17 miles from the Strip and has more good trails than most people can fit into a weekend. The trouble is that the best Red Rock Canyon hikes start off the 13-mile Scenic Drive, and from October 1 through May 31 that road runs on timed entry. Show up without a reservation at 10 a.m. and you will spend your morning in a conversation with a ranger instead of on a trail.
This post covers seven hikes, from a 0.8-mile loop to a 2,000-foot climb, with honest notes on which ones are worth your time. Distances and elevation gains come from published trail guides and the Red Rock Canyon visitor association, so treat them as close, not exact. Everything below is reached by paved road, which matters for a campervan.
How Timed Entry Works for Red Rock Canyon Hikes
From October 1 through May 31, you need a reservation to drive the Scenic Drive between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. You book through Recreation.gov or by phone at (877) 444-6777. You start your visit inside your one-hour window, and after that you can stay until the drive closes.
Two things worth knowing. First, you do not need a reservation if you enter before 8 a.m. or after 5 p.m., which is useful for sunrise starts. Second, the Scenic Drive’s October hours are 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., shrinking to 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. from November through February, so winter afternoons are short. The BLM page for Red Rock Canyon lists the current rules, and the fee is per vehicle, so check the price when you book.
Our honest advice: book the earliest slot you can get, or skip reservations entirely and be at the gate when it opens. The parking lots at Ice Box Canyon and Calico Hills fill early.
Easy Red Rock Canyon Hikes (Under 4 Miles, Little Climbing)
1. Children’s Discovery Trail (Lost Creek): 0.8 miles, easy
A short loop with about 98 feet of gain, petroglyphs along the way, and a small waterfall that usually runs between December and April. It is a good first stop if you have a late timed entry slot and an hour to spare.
2. Pine Creek Canyon: 3.4 miles out and back, easy
Roughly 515 feet of gain on a mostly gentle trail with a few steeper stretches. The payoff is the ruins of the Wilson Homestead, which makes a natural turnaround. Park at the Pine Creek lot on the Scenic Drive.
3. First Creek Canyon: 3.4 miles out and back, easy
Around 377 feet of gain, and often a quieter choice than the Scenic Drive classics. The last third is poorly marked, and the waterfall at the end is usually dry except in late spring. Wild burros sometimes wander through, and you should give them space.
Moderate Red Rock Canyon Hikes With Scrambling
4. Calico Tanks: 2.2 miles out and back, moderate
About 406 feet of gain, with sandstone steps and a bit of scrambling at the top. The “tanks” are natural rock basins that can hold water or ice in cooler months, though do not count on water being there. This is the best effort-to-view ratio on the list, and it starts near the Calico Hills area.
5. Keystone Thrust: 2.4 miles out and back, moderate
About 567 feet of gain, with a steady first climb and tougher final cliffs. The name refers to the geologic fault where older gray limestone sits on top of younger red sandstone. It is a good pick if you like knowing why a landscape looks the way it does. The BLM publishes a Keystone Thrust trail guide.
Harder Red Rock Canyon Hikes (Plan for a Full Morning)
6. Ice Box Canyon: 2.2 miles out and back, difficult
Only 2.2 miles, but about 577 feet of gain and a lot of boulder scrambling, and the path can be hard to follow. The canyon stays cool and shaded in the back, and a waterfall flows from roughly December to April. It is a favorite, so arrive early. If you do not enjoy using your hands on rocks, pick Pine Creek instead.
7. Turtlehead Peak: 4.6 miles out and back, difficult
The big one. Nearly 2,000 feet of gain, a steep climb, a windy summit, and a descent that can be slippery. The views of the Las Vegas Valley and the Calico Hills are the reward, and there are exit points if you want to shorten the route. Be honest with yourself about your legs and the daylight before you start. If you are newer to hiking, Calico Tanks gets you similar views for a fraction of the effort.
Where to Camp Near These Hikes
The closest option is the Red Rock Canyon Campground, which is reserved through Recreation.gov and open September 1 through May 31. It sits right off the paved Scenic Drive approach, which fits our road rules. Confirm current site details when you book.
There is alsovdispersed camping off Lovell Canyon Road. The paved campground is the easier fit. If you are comparing options, we covered them in The best places to camp close to Vegas.
What to Bring on Any Red Rock Canyon Hike
- Water: at least 2 liters per person, even in cool weather. Dry air hides how much you sweat.
- Sun protection: there is very little shade on most of these trails.
- Real shoes: sandstone scrambling is hard on slick soles.
- A downloaded map: cell service is spotty, and the last stretch of First Creek is easy to lose.
- Layers in winter: the canyons stay cold well after the parking lot warms up.
Our vans come stocked for the kitchen side of things, so most of this is about you, not the van. See Best Accessories to pack on a Campervan Trip for the full list.
Ready to Book Your Red Rock Canyon Hikes by Campervan?
A campervan lets you be at the gate when it opens, cook breakfast at the trailhead, and head back to camp when your legs say it is time. Vegas Campers vans sleep two, so they are built for solo travelers and couples. We stage from Las Vegas and St. George Airport (STG).
Browse the vans and book at vegascampers.com. For other hikes around the valley, see Best Hikes Close to Vegas.
