Hiking has been a go-to activity for our family since our boys were little. It’s the perfect way to get outside in nature, get exercise, have family time, and be away from screens and the noise of life. It is also something everyone can do at almost any age. I used to tell my boys, that “hiking” is just “walking in the woods”.
During COVID hiking was a saving grace for us. We went every weekend. This was when we lived on the East Coast. We always felt tired afterwards, slept better, and had a better demeanor and mindset the rest of the day. At the time it helped with toddler meltdowns and calmed everyone in general. Nature provides. My boys are a little older now, but it still does the same trick—and for parents too, so it’s always been a “win” of an activity.
Now that we live in Las Vegas we still hike often. Mainly it’s for something to do and a mini adventure that can be had every weekend. With both of my boys now in school, we mainly go on the weekends, in the cooler months (like Oct-May as we try to avoid the heat in the warmer/hotter months and snakes!), but every now and then we’ll go after school and those are magical days. Our “after school special”.
Las Vegas has so much great hiking and many trials that are within close proximity to the city. Here are our top 10 favorite trails!
1. Moenkopi Loop in Red Rock Canyon– this is a go-to hike, because it’s a decent length of 2 miles, an easy trial, and you can access the trailhead at the Visitors Center, which means you can also exit at the Visitors Center rather than driving through the whole scenic drive of 13 miles to leave. We will squeeze this hike in after school some days. And as a perk of squeezing it in after school in the winter, you can see the start of a sunrise. This is magnificent experience out on the trail, and you don’t have that much farther to go back to the car. You will either have a pass to enter Red Rock or pay the entry fee. We have the America the Beautiful pass that is $80 annually and it’s so worth it as it applies to National Parks too. It pays for itself in 4 visits at Red Rock Canyon.
2. Calico Basin Trail at the Red Spring Parking Area– this is another go-to hike for us for most of the same reasons. You can do an out-and-back hike that would only be 1.5 miles (so you’d go to the start of the Girl Scout Trailhead and turn around, or you can addon miles there) round trip, which makes for a 1-2 hour activity. It is an easy hike, has free parking, and incredible views being on the backside of Red Rock Canyon. As a perk you can observe rock climbers either bouldering or climbing the peaks. My boys always enjoy watching this. Lastly, it’s a fun mini adventure, because the landscape is as though you’ve left Earth and entered another planet.
3. First Creek Canyon Trail off SR 159 heading out towards Blue Diamond– this trail is another favorite of ours. It has free parking on the side of the road. It can be a little congested, so just be careful getting in and out. I’ve also seen it not congested, so it just depends on the day I guess!
This is an easy trail that is 2 miles one way, so 4 miles round trip. I don’t think we’ve ever done the full 2 miles out. We usually hike to the bigger waterfall and then come back, which is probably about 2-3 miles round trip and about 2.5 hours. There is a smaller waterfall, I believe at the end of the trail itself, but we haven’t seen that one.
The bigger waterfall is not on the map or marked on the trail, so be cautious if you go out looking for it. We’ve gotten kind of lost before and had to ask someone for help to find it. Now, having been a few times we can find it better. We use a certain larger tree as guidance. To get to the waterfall you will veer off to the right at one of the turns on the trail, I’d say at least a mile in. Follow someone if you see someone going in that direction. You see where the canyon is off to the right, so that is your main guide. All the times we have been to the waterfall, there are other people back there, so that should also be your guidance, to go where the others are. Check out All Trails info for better guidance on this. It was indeed an adventure to find it, which I think is the most fun part!
4. Ice Box Canyon in Red Rock Canyon- This trail is my boy’s favorite hike due to all the boulder scrambling. This trailhead is along the scenic drive in Red Rock Canyon, so you will need a pass or must pay to enter. It’s on the back half of the scenic drive, around mile marker 8, on the right. It is 1.1miles one way, so 2.2 miles round trip. It’s a more difficult trail due to all the boulders. Be prepared for your legs to be sore the next day! With young kids, also just be cautious with all the boulders. Towards the back of the trail it’s not as well marked, so you may be questioning if you’re still on the trail. There is one section that you climb down into like a wash section and on the way back it can be tricky to see where you need to go back up. We’ve had to back track and find the right way, but we did figure it out. Otherwise, enjoy! It’s a little cooler on this trail, thus the name. This is an interesting trail that can be fun if you are cautious.
5. Lost Creek Trail at the Willow Spring stop off in Red Rock Canyon- This trail is not too long, only about 1.2 miles round trip and I believe it connects to the Willow Spring Loop Trail. The main attraction that we like to see is the waterfall, however you want to access it. I would imagine that at certain times of the year the waterfall could be dry.
On the Lost Creek Trail you will go up wood stairs and then continue hiking to access the waterfall. You will go under and around some pretty large boulders as well. This one is scenic and fun for the kids.
6. Pine Creek Canyon in Red Rock Canyon- This is one of my favorite trails. The kids like it too, but I like it because of its beautiful scenery. It is about 1.6 miles round trip and showcases remains of an old homestead. I really enjoy it when trails have points of interest. The trail starts with a descent but then is relatively flat and easy. It is past mile marker 10 on the right. Again, you will have to either have a pass or pay the entrance fee for the scenic loop in Red Rock Canyon.
7. Ash Springs in Calico Basin- This trail is farther down the road in Calico Basin. There is a free parking lot smaller to the one at Red Spring, but has ample parking. It is a gravel lot. This trail is easy and good for kids. It has a beautiful backdrop and depending upon how you meander you may cross some water and pass trees and boulders. It’s only .5 miles out, so only about a 1-2 hour activity. We add on distance at the Kraft Mountain trail, which is right next to this one.
8. Calico Tanks in Red Rock Canyon- This is my husband’s favorite trail. This is NOT a good trail for the kids (at least the 2nd half isn’t) as it requires steep climbing and has some drop offs towards the top. We have done the first part of the trail with the kids but then turn around. This is a great hike at about 2.5miles round trip with a fantastic view at the top. The trailhead is at the Sandstone Quarry stop after mile marker 2. Again, you will need a pass or must pay the entrance fee for Red Rock Canyon to access.
9. Overlook Loop in Spring Mountain Ranch State Park- This trail is also a nice one for the kids. It is $10 to enter the park for a NV tag and $15 for visitors. The Overlook Loop is relatively short at about .8 miles roundtrip. There is a great view from the top. Be cautious at the top as there is a drop off, but there is enough room you can see the view from standing back on the trail and not getting too close to the edge. You can see the top coming, so it’s not a surprise or anything. There is also a cemetery that you will pass on the trail, as a point of interest. We usually complete this hike and then add on more miles on another trail in the park. The scenery is beautiful. You must check this out if you’ve never been.
10. Lone Mountain Loop Multi Trail- This trail is a loop trail that goes around Lone Mountain and is about 2.2 miles round trip. (I am NOT talking about the trail that goes to the top). The loop trail is easy and is a multiuse trail that horses also use. It is free to park and there are multiple access points to the trail. There is a good view of the mountain and is something different to do!
There are definitely many other trails in Las Vegas that are just as gorgeous and amazing. These are just our favorites and ones that I recommend if you haven’t done them yet! Be sure to pack ample water, snacks, sunscreen, a hat, and have good shoes to make the experience enjoyable. Happy Trails!
Resources:
Maps-
Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive Overview_0.pdf (this one includes mile markers)