Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Red Rock Canyon is a outjut of red rocks about 45 minutes from Las Vegas Strip. It is a popular (read busy) place any time of the year, but only really hikeable in the cool temperatures of spring, fall and winter. There is a drive by auto tour loop that can be enjoyed if you are so inclined, either voluntarily or by necessity due to weather. Please check weather forecasts for rain and temperature before venturing out. Flash floods may be fatal in desert environments as can extreme temperature.
| Fees: | $15 per day per car (free with $80 Annual America the Beautiful Pass, may purchase at Entrance station) |
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| Website: | Red Rock Canyon, Nevada |
| Other: | When hiking in deserts and canyons, pay attention to the weather forecast, as rain in any surrounding area may cause dangerous flashfloods. Check with Rangers if in doubt. |
Calico Tanks
If you're looking for a moderately challenging hike that takes you through multicolored layers of rock with some effort, this hike is for you. Rated a moderate hike despite its short distance (2.5 miles), Calico Tanks will require you to sometimes scramble, climb and boulder over a rock or five.
One of the many rocky stairs at Calico Tanks Trail, Red Rock Canyon, near Las Vegas, NV
This hike is definitely about the journey. The views of the many layers of white and red rocks kept us motivated to keep on going to see what was around the corner. The trail took us past many pools of water, a small cascading stream and the grand finale, the Calico Tanks. When we arrived, the last tank was half full. I read that there is a view of Las Vegas at the end of the tanks. I would have loved to explore further but we had a time constraint and had to return.
Into the red and white rocks at Calico Tanks Trail, Red Rock Canyon, near Las Vegas, NV
The trail starts at the Sandstone Quarry Trailhead, one of the stops along the Scenic Drive. There is some parking and we managed to snag a couple of spots when we arrived,. The trailhead area was somewhat busy, but the crowds dissipated as we went up the trail. The trail itself was not too busy; we passed a handful of groups on our path. Keep kids closeby as there are big drops. Avoid hiking here in very hot weather as there is no shade and temperatures can get dangerously hot here.
Beyond Calico Tanks, there are plenty of other hiking spots along the Scenic Drive. Calico Hills is one of them a few stops before. There is a Visitor Center at the beginning of the Scenic Drive. The Scenic Drive is a one-way road, so don't miss your stop or you'll have to go around the entire drive to make it around again.
| Features: | Walk amongst gigantic red and white layers of rocks to view seasonal water tanks. |
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| Our Hike: | 2.5 miles return, out-and-back trail, about 500 ft elevation change with some rock scrambling, bouldering and climbing. |
| Directions: | Trailhead starts Sandstone Quarry stop on Red Rock Canyon's Scenic Drive. Follow signs to Calico Tanks. |
| Amenities at Trailhead: | vault toilet, parking |
| Other: | When hiking in deserts and canyons, pay attention to the weather forecast, as rain in any surrounding area may cause dangerous flashfloods. Check with Rangers if in doubt. |
Ice Box Canyon
The Ice Box Canyon hike in Red Rock Canyon is a 5 mile rt hike. There was lots of bouldering and rock scrambling after the initial crossing through desert shrubs. It was cold and windy until we reached the mouth of the canyon.
Part of trail was in a dry creek bed (wash), so it was not always easy to not lose our trail. In our experience, washes can make trail finding confusing at times, since a wash looks very similar to a trail, with flattened areas in the middle, imitating the look and feel of a trail. Sometimes man-made arrangements such as rocks lining a trail help distinguish a trail from a wash.
We came across huge boulders, some with small trees growing on it, that looked like they were washed into place by rushing waters, a sobering reminder of the power of water. Please be aware of rainy conditions in nearby areas to avoid fatal flash floods.
Climbing over rocks big and small at Ice Box Canyon Trail, Red Rock Canyon, near Las Vegas, NV
As usual, all my boys (big and small) were way ahead of me, but my calls for them to slow down kept them within view. There were a few times when a gigantic boulder blocked our way and I thought we had come to the end of our trail. Amazingly, the boys always found a way around it. It seems sometimes like the more challenging the trail, the more energized the boys are. There was once or twice when the boys looked like they were scaling the side of rocks in order to get past an obstacle. If only they tackled life's obstacles with such energy. I was sure that there was no way I could make it. Luckily the rocks were not the slippery kind, so I always managed to find spots to grip my hand and foot into. And I'm happy we got to the end because…...
Walking on the side of the canyon towards the waterfalls at Ice Box Canyon Trail, Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas, NV
We expected a waterfall at the end of the box canyon. What we found was a waterfall frozen mid-fall (maybe quarter-way) when we hiked on New Year's day 2019. What a treat! Last spring we had traveled to Colorado to set our eyes on frozen waterfalls for the very first time. Who knew one existed near Las Vegas? At the car, the thermometer read an outside temperature of 30F.
Under the frozen waterfalls at the end of Ice Box Canyon Trail, Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas, NV
This is NOT a warm weather hike. There is No water and No shade. It can be dangerous when temperatures are high. Check weather forecast before going. We explore the dessert usually in the winter. Watch out for flash floods if rain is in the forecast in nearby areas.
| Features: | Walk across a desert-like landscape into a canyon that ends in a seasonal waterfall (possibly a frozen waterfall if outside temperatures are below freezing), lots of rock scrambling and bouldering but we managed with no ropes/equipment |
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| Our Hike: | 5 mile rt, 500 ft elevation gain, most times in river bed, over uneven and rocky terrain, rocks are gravel and boulder sized, and everything in between. Some climbing on side of canyon wall required, but nothing technical. |
| Directions: | Limited parking (about 10 cars), at Ice Box Canyon trailhead, about ⅔ to ¾ way down Scenic Drive. Don't miss the turnoff as Scenic Drive is one way only. Missing the turnoff would mean you would have to circle around again to get to the trailhead. |
| Other: | When hiking in deserts and canyons, pay attention to the weather forecast, as rain in any surrounding area may cause dangerous flashfloods. Check with Rangers if in doubt. |
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