Red Rock Canyon - Las Vegas - TravBuddy

If you are ever in Las Vegas, do NOT miss out on seeing Red Rock Canyon. As you make the 20-30 minute drive west of Vegas, you'll begin to see bright shades of, what else, red rock in the distance and never again wonder where it got its name. At the entrance is a gate with an attendant who was very friendly and helpful. For a mere $5.00 you gain entry to the park all day plus a little newspaper including an informative map of all the trails. I would recommend first-time visitors head to the visitor center for recommendations on the best options for what you're looking to do here. There is a wonderful gift shop and book store inside as well as an exhibit showing local plants and animals...very educational. There's also a little area with picnic tables, grills, a vending machine with water and restrooms.

The drive through Red Rock Canyon is a one-way 13 mile route with many parking areas along the way that lead to trails and areas to hike and climb on the rocks. One of my favorite things about Red Rock is that everyone can enjoy it. Novice to advanced hikers, bikers and rock climbers will all have their expectations met. I loved bringing lunch and finding a smooth rock way up high to eat and enjoy the view. I couldn't stop taking pictures! There is so much to explore...even Native American petroglyphs that you can find during your hikes. As you continue your drive you'll see the most amazing mountains all around you that rival those in some European countries.

All in all, my opinion is that Red Rock Canyon is not to be missed!

Okay, so Vegas is known as Sin City and America's playground. Many people probably never even consider coming here (especially bringing the family), with its reputation for gambling, prostitution, and rising crime rate. But there is another facet to Vegas that gets overlooked...the surrounding territory.
Of course, you have the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam...everyone knows about those attractions. But there's one little gem approximately 15 minutes outside of Vegas that I thoroughly enjoyed and will return to on my next visit...Red Rock Canyon.
Red Rock is a national conservation park of world wide geologic interest and beauty. Smack dab in the middle of the desert is this collection of reddish-rock formations that look as if they fell from the sky. The scenic drive through the park costs a whopping $5 per car. And if hiking or rock climbing is your thing, there are plenty of places along the way to park the car and get some much needed exercise (after sitting at the tables and slots for hours on end).
The park also has a gift shop and exhibit center. And watch out for the wild burros...they're very friendly if they think you are going to feed them, but please don't.