Heading to Red Rock Canyon for the first time or going on a family outing? Knowing what to pack can make the difference in an enjoyable experience or a miserable one! After hiking in Red Rock Canyon dozens of times over the last several years these are the items that we never leave home without.
Whether you’re hiking for only a couple of hours or going for a full day, we pack nearly the same items every time. The list almost seems simple, but these items are key. Check out the complete guide below.
✓ Water
✓ Sunscreen
✓ First Aid Kit
✓ Daypack
✓ Hiking Boots and Wool Socks
✓ Sun Shirt
✓ Layers
✓ Hat
✓ Snacks
1. Bring More Water Than You Think You’ll Need
Water is a necessity in Red Rock Canyon. The Visitor Center has the only water refill station on the scenic drive. Plan ahead and bring extra water if you plan to be in Red Rock for the full day. Remember that dehydration happens quickly in the desert. With the low humidity and intense sun exposure sweat evaporates before you even realize you are sweating. Be prepared and offer the kids lots of breaks.
Our Favorite Water Bottle
Any water bottle will do but bring one that holds a good amount and that doesn’t leak. Our favorite hiking water bottle is the Yeti Rambler water bottle with the chug cap. These are our favorite because they legitimately don’t leak and the water stays cold. They are also easy to clean.
2. Don’t Forget Sunscreen
We always have a spray bottle and a lotion type bottle in our hiking bag. The sun can be very strong in Las Vegas. We reapply if we’re out more than 2 hours. In the dry air you sweat more than you realize, so just another reason to reapply. Also, you may want to consider a SPF chapstick.
3. A First Aid Kit is a Must
Don’t forget a small first aid kit in your hiking bag. With kids especially you never know when someone will fall and scrap their knee, get a splinter, or you need to tend to something more serious. You can get a first aid bag on Amazon and fill it with medical items of your choice, or you can get a premade kit.
4. Bring a Comfortable Hiking Bag
You don’t need a huge backpack for hiking, just enough to carry your water bottles, snacks, and a first aid kit. We enjoy using the Osprey Daylite bag because it’s on the smallish side and is airy enough that it doesn’t make you sweat so horribly. Something like this would be good for day trips in Red Rock Canyon.
5. Good Hiking Socks and Shoes
Having a comfortable pair of shoes in Red Rock Canyon is key. There are lots of rocks on the trails, so it would be good to have shoes that protect your ankles from rolling. I have a pair of Keen hiking boots that I like and keep them as my designated pair of dirty hiking shoes.
For kids, I might bend the rule a little bit and allow tennis shoes sometimes, but hiking shoes are preferred. Do NOT do Keen sandals in Red Rock Canyon. There are far too many rocks to be dealing with someone crying about a rock in their shoe every 2 minutes.
Also, keep your feet warm or cool with a good pair of socks. I never have any issues with wool socks, so I always go with those. Smartwool and Wigwam Socks are my favorite. I like that they both offer different weights so that you can select the right sock for the day. Also, I like that my feet stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. They keep my feet dry and it’s a non-issue. They have some fun designs which is a bonus. I’ve liked some Amazon and REI ones too.
6. Wear a Sun Shirt
If you have a light sun shirt for the warmer months or a way to cover up, I’d recommend that. Long sleeves and potentially a hood are good to have when the sun is pounding down. My favorite sun shirt for adults is the Carhartt Force Sun Defender Hoodie. I like it because it’s lightweight, dries fast, has a hood for the back of your neck and ears, but also front neck coverage. I cannot stress enough how strong the sun is. I grew up on the East Coast, and it’s just different in the desert.
7. Layers of Clothes in the Colder Months
If you are visiting Red Rock Canyon in the colder months, do not underestimate the weather. It may feel a little warm in the sun when you get in the car, but it will be colder in Red Rock Canyon. It could be windier too, and that always makes a difference. Pack layers.
In the colder months I usually start with a long sleeve bottom layer, a fleece, and then maybe an outer vest or jacket depending on the day. I still love my North Face Vest from years ago, probably closest to this one. I usually pack hats and gloves in the car and then decide at the trailhead of what goes on vs stays in the car. Our favorite gloves for leisure hiking are the Head gloves from Costco. Hats and gloves can be key, especially for kids since cold fingers and ears could completely end your day hiking!
8. Don’t Forget a Sunhat
A hat is also key in Red Rock Canyon. Bring either a baseball hat or a sun hat. My parents like their Tilley hats because they cover their ears and is a little more malleable than a Hemlock type hat. That style of hat can be hard to keep on if it’s a windy day. Regardless of the type of hat, the sun can be really strong here in Las Vegas, so it’s important to keep the sun off your face and neck.
9. Bring More Snacks than You Think You’ll Need
Besides all the things to wear and gear to bring, be sure you have plenty of snacks especially with kids. Granola bars, apple sauce, nuts, gummies, fruit, cheese, and candy. Yes, candy. I always carry some “bribe me” candy in case I need help getting out of situations. I have used it often! Also, when it’s cold it’s always a treat to have a thermos of hot chocolate in the car for the end of the hike. My kids love it.
Leave things like open-toed shoes and large backpacks at home.
Other items like poles or binoculars are up to you based on how much you want to carry and what you’ll use. We don’t use poles, because we are still in the phase where that turns into a lightsaber rather than being a tool.
If you’re still undecided on which trails to hike, check out my Complete Guide to Red Rock Canyon with Kids where I share our favorite hiking trails, tips, and places to stop along the scenic drive.
Red Rock Canyon is one of our favorite places to hike. It is especially enjoyable October through May when cooler temperatures make hikes and full day outings comfortable. It’s also nice when you have packed the right gear and can remedy whatever issues that come up or have prevented them altogether with the right attire.
Red Rock Canyon showcases many different spectrums of landscape. Its beauty will keep everyone’s attention and cultivate curiosity for more. After your outing in Red Rock Canyon, round off the day by heading down the road to Blue Diamond to refuel at Cottonwood Station. This is a cute little casual restaurant that we often venture to after a day spent hiking. It’s the perfect way to end a great family outing!
Happy Trails!