Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

The escarpment is Aztec sandstone in red and cream, and the geology is the interesting part: the Keystone Thrust runs through here, a fault where a slab of older grey limestone was pushed up and over the younger red sandstone, so the sequence is inverted and the contact between the two colours is visible as a line across the mountains. A thirteen-mile one-way scenic loop runs beneath the cliffs with trailheads along it. The canyon is a major rock climbing destination with long multi-pitch sandstone routes. Timed entry reservations are required through the busy months to control traffic on the loop. Wild burros, descended from mining stock, are common along the road.

What you actually see

• The Keystone Thrust - older grey rock pushed over younger red.
• A thirteen-mile one-way loop - with trailheads beneath the cliffs.
• Long multi-pitch climbing routes - on Aztec sandstone.
• Wild burros - descended from mining animals.

When to go

October to April; summer heat is severe. Half a day.

Honest expectations

Timed entry reservations are required in season and sell out - book before driving out. The loop is one-way, so a missed trailhead means going round again. Summer heat is dangerous. Sandstone is fragile when wet and climbing is discouraged after rain.

Nearby

Las Vegas is east; Mount Charleston is north.