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Just out of Las Vegas is the stunning Red Rock Canyon which offers plenty of hiking opportunities. One of the best hikes to experience just out of Las Vegas is the Calico Tanks Trail. It is a great option for those who need to take a break from the vices of Sin City and enjoy some stunning views of Las Vegas.
The conservation area of the Red Rock Canyon is one of the easternmost parts of the Mojave Desert and is also in the Lower and Upper Sonoran Zone. Keep one's eyes out for Joshua trees that grow in this region, as well as ponderosa pines at higher levels. It is also a protected area for the desert tortoise. While there is no substitute for visiting the Grand Canyon, the Red Rock Canyon is still worth a visit while vacationing in Vegas.
Hike The Calico Tanks Trail In The Red Rock Canyon
The Calico Tanks Trail is a 2.2-mile-long out-and-back trail in the Red Rock Canyon that explores the canyon's prehistory, history, geology, and natural beauty.
- Length: 2.2 Miles of 3.5 Out and Back
The best time to hike Calico Tanks Trail is best hiked after the heat of summer from October to April. Dogs are welcome on the trail but need to be leashed.
- Dogs: Permitted On A Leash
- Best Time: October to April
It is one of the most popular trails in the Red Rock Canyon and weaves its way through the white and red sandstone of the park.
Those who manage to reach the top are greeted with an awe-inspiring 360° view of the Las Vegas valley and Red Rock Canyon.
The Calico Tanks Trail Is Moderate To Strenuous
The trail is over uneven terrain, so hikers need to have a reasonable left of fitness. Some describe the hike as being some of a multi-terrain rock climb. Hikers need to negotiate some large rocks and boulders that can be slippery. It can be something of a full-body workout. The first part of the trail is relatively flat; the difficult rock-climbing part comes later.
- Duration: 1-3 Hours
- Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
It can be well suited for beginner rock climbers and beginner trail runners. The route can be traversed in many different ways. The scrambling and challenging part is the last quarter mile. Those who have the energy to master the last section are rewarded with sweeping views.
It is important to wear a hat, have good hiking shoes, and take plenty of water. In the summer, the temperatures can often exceed 105 °F (41 °C). People are advised against hiking along in the backcountry off the established trails.
Other risks in the area include rattlesnakes and flash flooding.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and is around 15 miles west of Las Vegas in Clark County. The conservation area's opening hours change by the season, and timed tickets may be required to visit; refer to the BLM's website for current information.
It is a very popular area to visit, attracting around 3 million visitors from Las Vegas every year. It is easily visible from the Las Vegas Strip. The Red River Canyon offers a stark contrast to the neon lights and bustle of The Strip just a short distance away.
- Entry Fee: $15 Per Vehicle
The canyon is home to large red rock formations, sandstone peaks, and other attractions. La Madre Mountain is the highest point of the conservation area, rising to 8,154 feet (2,485 m).
Visitors can explore the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area by the road along the 13-mile one-way loop road.
It also has plenty of mountain biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, visitor centers, and hiking opportunities for visitors to enjoy.
The Red Rock area was once an ocean basin (during the Paleozoic Era some 600 million years ago). Today it is full of ancient limestone that formed from the limey sediments of the ocean. The Aztec Sandstone of the area formed around 180 million years ago when the area was a desert with vast shifting sand dunes. The result today is that the canyon is beautiful and stunning.