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 are a familiar sight along the road.

Highlights

• 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 - a familiar sight along the road.

When to go

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

What to expect

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.

Key facts