Description of the Red Rock Canyon Park

Red Rock Canyon was proclaimed Nevada's first national conservation area. It is located 17 miles west of Las Vegas and is annually visited by more than two million people. Unlike a city intended for entertainment and games, Red Rock offers rides related to nature. It is a scenic 13-mile ride, hiking trail, rock climbing, horse riding, mountain biking, picnic areas and a surveillance center.

In 1990, special legislation supported by a delegation of the Nevada Congress changed the status of Red Rock lands to a national conservation area. This law provides funding to protect and improve the situation of the region.

The canyon's national conservation area is visited by the local population, as well as tourists from the United States and many other countries. Two million visitors enjoy breathtaking desert landscapes every year.

Pine Creek Trail is one of the most popular routes in Red Rock Canyon. Along this path you can find the remains of the foundations of the estate and stream. The canyon is a great place for hiking in the winter months, because the temperature is usually mild, but remember to go to the trail before dark.

History of Red Rock Canyon

The most ancient cliffs that make up the canyon are vast sections of sedimentary stone, laid in the Paleozoic era about 600 million years ago. When the ocean level fell, trace elements and salts in the earth began to oxidize, giving the rocks their special flavor.

Long-term climate change made this region a desert 180 million years ago. The vast sand dunes that covered this area turned into Aztec sandstone, which is the main geological feature of the reserve.

Although until the 20th century there was no permanent settlement in the Red Rock region, this region has been known for thousands of years to many different indigenous tribes. Thanks to the mountains in the west and the presence of fresh water, the canyon was a fertile place for hunting and gathering.

By the time European explorers first reached the canyon, it was considered the territory of the Payut tribe. Many tribes visited this place for hunting, harvesting and rescue from seasonal droughts. Although this area was considered useful, it was never used intensively.

As Europeans became more interested in travel and settlements in southwestern America, the Red Rock Canyon played a small but important role. It was considered a reliable source of water on one of the many routes that made up the Old Spanish Trail. This series of difficult trade routes from east to west connected Santa Fe with the early Spanish outposts in California.

Red Rock Canyon was identified in 1967 as a recreational area, which limited the possibility of urbanization. As a result, a large protected area of 10,000 acres was created. Today, the reserve extends beyond Las Vegas to both north and south.

What trails to visit

Hiking trails depart from the track that runs through the park. Significant red cliffs prevail in the landscape near the tourist center. On the opposite side of the park, the landscapes are completely different — lush canyons and rocks, which are yellow and gray. In spring, in this part of the park you can see many wild flowers.

1. Ice Box Canyon Trail. This trail is very popular, especially in spring, when wildflowers bloom. The entrance to the canyon is visible from the parking lot. Black walls surround this canyon, and at the bottom there are pine trees, giving a lush look.
2. Children's Discovery Trail. Although this trail is called the Nursery, it is quite difficult. The path is narrow, with trees, a stone staircase, natural tunnels, petroglyphs, a promenade, and depending on the season and rains — a waterfall. It is a pleasant trail for everyone and it provides a great variety at a very short distance.
3. Calico Hills. The stunning Calico Hills trail near the tourist center is what most people imagine when they think of the Red Rock Canyon. The color of these huge hills and boulders has almost grown together in the minds of people with the canyon itself. Calico Hills is a signature feature of the park.