Answers to Common Questions

Red Rock Canyon is located about 25 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip. From Las Vegas the Conservation Area can be approached from Charleston Boulevard [north of Sahara Avenue], which will turn into State Route 159; or from State Route 160 [south of Tropicana] to the Junction with Route 159. Just follow Route 159 until you see the entrance. From the southwest, RRCNCA is reached by taking Route 160 East to Route 159; From the Las Vegas Strip, get on to the I-15 freeway which is the freeway parallel to Las Vegas Boulevard. Take exit 36 to get on to the 215 beltway west. Drive on the 215 west for 13 miles, exit on Charleston Boulevard heading west at exit 26. Drive 5.5 miles to the entrance of RRC and turn right to enter the Scenic Drive.

Red Rock Canyon features a one-way 13-mile scenic drive, a Visitor Center which offers information and interpretation about recreation opportunities, wildlife, vegetation, geology, cultural resources and much more. The facility also offers a book and gift store operated by the Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association, a non-profit organization with the mission of researching and sharing interpretive information about RRCNCA and assisting the BLM with endeavors related to interpretation.

The Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association is a not-for-profit organization that operates under a Cooperating Agreement with the BLM. The Mission Statement explains RRCIA very well.

The primary purpose of the Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association is to enhance the recreational, educational and interpretive programs of the Bureau of Land Management, and other governmental agencies, by providing materials and services, which promote an understanding and appreciation of the natural history, cultural history and sciences of Southern Nevada.

BLM [Bureau of Land Management] Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Bureau of Land Management to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

A Conservation Area is an area of federal public land set aside
“In order to conserve, protect and enhance [the area] for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations …..”

In 1990, special legislation supported by the Nevada congressional delegation, declared the Red Rock Canyon area of southern Nevada to be a National Conservation Area [NCA], the seventh to be designated nationally. As stated in its enabling legislation:

“In order to conserve, protect and enhance for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations the area in southern Nevada containing and surrounding the Red Rock Canyon and the unique and nationally important geologic, archeological, ecological, cultural, scenic, scientific, wildlife, riparian, wilderness, endangered species and recreation resources of the public lands therein contained, there is established the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.”

To conserve, protect and enhance includes the following guidelines:

Keep wildlife wild – Feeding any wildlife is prohibited. It is not in the best interest of any wild creature to wean them from their natural food supplies. ‘Too easy’ a lifestyle for our desert dwellers may cause overpopulation and turns them into dangerous creatures as they lose their fear of humans.

Leave no trace
During your visit, pick up trash around campgrounds and trails. Your actions will inspire other park visitors. Our dry desert climate cannot quickly decompose such things as orange peels, apple cores, egg shells, and other picnic remains. Loose paper blows into bushes and creates an unsightly mess. Plastic 6-pack rings may strangle creatures that encounter and investigate them. Dispose of your trash in a responsible manner and recycle what you can. Trash bags, donated by Friends of Red Rock Canyon, are available at the Fee Booth.

Parking
The Scenic Drive is one-way 13-mile, winding road, and has soft sand shoulders. Park in one of the many designated pullouts or parking lots.

Off-road driving
Vehicles, including bicycles, are prohibited off established roads. Why…? Off-road driving and riding creates ruts upsetting delicate drainage patterns, compacting the soil, and leaving visual scars for years. Plants are crushed and uprooted, wildlife homes and shelters are destroyed, and food and water supplies are altered and obliterated.

Pets
While pets are allowed in the Conservation Area, their activities are quite restricted. They must be kept on a leash at all times, they must never be left unattended – not even in a vehicle. Do keep in mind that the temperature inside a vehicle can rise to unsafe levels. Please pick up after your pets and dispose of properly.

Potable [Drinking] Water
Water is available at the Visitor Center. There is a vending machine and a drinking fountain. Other, mostly seasonal, water sources within the park are not potable [fit for drinking] and are reserved for wildlife.

Take only pictures
Over 1.25 million people visit Red Rock Canyon each year. Removal, disturbance, destruction, or disfigurement of anything in the conservation area is unlawful. Please leave rocks, plants and wildlife for others to enjoy.

Vehicle laws
The scenic drive is narrow, winding and is sometimes congested. Speed limits vary from 15-35 mph and are posted for your safety and well-being. State and federal laws apply within the Conservation Area.

The actual opening and closing times of the scenic drive change with the seasons. For actual opening and closing times please call 702-515-5350. The Visitor Center and Book and Gift Store are generally open except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. The Visitor Center/Book and Gift Store opens at 8:00am and closes at 4:30pm.

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area offers camping at the Red Rock Canyon Campground [formerly 13-Mile Campground] from September through May (closed June, July and August). The campground is located approximately 2 miles east of the Visitor Center on State Route 159. Barbecue grills, picnic tables, trash collection, water tank and pit toilets are available. Accommodations are first come/first served; campground host on site.

Firewood is for sale by the campground hosts and is available between when fire restrictions aren’t in effect. Collecting of downed vegetation of any kind is NOT ALLOWED in the Conservation Area. For camping fees and regulations please follow this link: Camping Info

Bicycles are allowed on the one-way Scenic Drive, paved spur roads and designated mountain bike trails. Bikes are not allowed on designated hiking trails. Motor vehicle regulations for bicycles apply while in the Conservation Area. The Cottonwood Valley Area has a system of trails designated for mountain bike and equestrian use. Motorized vehicles are limited to designated roads.

Off-highway driving in the National Conservation Area is limited to designated roads. Drivers traveling off designated roads are subject to fines. Roads open for off-highway recreation are multi-use: please be aware of other recreational user groups. Follow “Tread Lightly” motorized vehicle guidelines. Opportunities for off-highway vehicle touring are as follows:

Rocky Gap Road
An extremely rough, four-wheel drive road open to use by licensed and street legal vehicles. Expect narrow road conditions with numerous washouts. Not recommended for passenger cars or other low clearance vehicles. Preparation and caution are recommended. This route not patrolled or maintained.

Cottonwood Valley
An undeveloped area that features several unpaved routes. Be prepared for washouts and sandy areas. Watch for mountain bikers and equestrians.