Red Rock Canyon Road
39 miles - Can be made in an afternoon.
Just outside of Las Vegas, State Route 159 winds through the 197,000-acre Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in the shadow of the majestic Spring Mountain Range. The area is a spectacular example of the Mojave Desert. Stunning formations abound in mixtures of burgundy and crème-colored sandstone. Take some time to relax and catch a glimpse of unique flora and animals such as the Desert Bighorn Sheep, bobcats, gray foxes, and wild burros. After a desert storm, hundreds of waterfalls appear, cascading down sheer rock walls.
More than one million visitors travel to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area each year. There are more than 30 miles of hiking trails, picnic areas, and a visitor center operated by the Bureau of Land Management. The visitor center has excellent displays explaining the geology, history, plant and animal life, archaeology, and recreational opportunities.