Over the last several years we’ve explored Red Rock Canyon with our kids 25+ times. It’s a destination that doesn’t get old and is large enough that we’ve only just now explored portions of most of the trails. It’s a place that we love returning to again and again. This family guide shares our favorite hikes, practical tips, scenic drive stops, itinerary suggestions, and lessons learned along the way.
Quick Glimpse:
| Question | Answer |
| Distance from Las Vegas Strip | ~20-30 mins |
| Time needed | 2-6 hours |
| Best time to visit | Spring, Fall, Winter |
| Good for kids? | YES! |
| Entrance Fee | $20 per car + $2 reservation fee (Oct-May); America the Beautiful pass accepted |
| Stroller friendly | No |
| Cell service | Limited, don’t plan on it |
What You Need to Know Before Visiting Red Rock Canyon
Red Rock Canyon is easily accessible, only about 20-30 mins from the airport and from most places in Vegas!
Red Rock Canyon is a National Conservation Area just outside of Summerlin to the West. At the entrance there is a nice Visitor Center that is worth the stop. From there, you can follow a 13-mile scenic one-way drive with approximately 10-12 stops and parking areas. Each parking area is where you can access the various trailheads and see the sights! See the scenic drive map here.
The area is a mecca for rock climbing, so you will see many folks there for that reason. We are always fascinated by their skill and stop to watch. You will also see many road cyclists on the scenic drive and occasionally some runners.
Quick Recommendations:
Not sure where to start? Here is a quick guide based on how much time you may have and the ages/interests of your kids.
| If you only have… | Then go here |
| 1 hour | Moenkopi Loop at the Visitor Center |
| 2-3 hours | Choose one: Sandstone Quarry, Ice Box Canyon (best for kids who love rocky/boulder terrain), Pine Creek Canyon, or North Oak Creek |
| Kids under 5 | Moenkopi or North Oak Creek |
| Kids who love climbing | Sandstone Quarry, Lost Creek (lots of stairs and bigger rocks to cross), or Ice Box Canyon (boulder scrambling) |
| Sunset Hour | Moenkopi |
| Kids who want to see something featured | Lost Creek (waterfall), Willow Spring (Petroglyph Trail), Pine Creek Canyon (homestead ruins and sometimes a creek with water) |
Red Rock Canyon Entrance Fee and Reservations
Annually there is an entrance fee. The fee per car is $20 or accessible with a pass. We have an America the Beautiful pass which is an annual interagency pass and grants entry to Red Rock Canyon. This pass provides entry into participating Federal Recreation sites including National Parks, forests, and refuges, and is $80 annually. You can check out that information here and look at more options. It is well worth it in my opinion, as it pays for itself in a handful of visits.
In addition to the entrance fee, a timed reservation is required to for the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive from October 1st through May 31st for entry between 8am-5pm (reservations are not required before 8am or after 5pm). The reservation fee is $2 per car. June through September there is no reservation requirement. Check here before you go, for the official and latest fee information.
Be prepared to lose cell service heading into Red Rock Canyon. Have your reservation confirmation QR code pulled up on your phone before you drive in.
Other Visitor Information
We usually make a full day of our visits. We pack a lunch and take advantage of the picnic areas, hike at various stops, and enjoy the outdoors and scenery, before heading back to Las Vegas.
We’ve been many times where there is hardly a crowd, and you may only pass one or two other hiking groups. We’ve also been when it’s busy, which in my opinion is usually around holidays, weekend peak times, or when the weather is perfect, etc. If you’re visiting on a holiday weekend, plan an early start.
There has only been one time that we couldn’t find parking, and it was only at one stop on the scenic drive. Most parking lots are big enough that even on busier weekends you can still find a spot. The stops where parking could be tricky on busy days are: Calico II, White Rock (but there is overflow area), and Ice Box Canyon.
Keep the parking in mind if you have your day set on certain hikes on busier days. Since the scenic drive is one-way, you can’t turn around and “try again” without re-entering the conservation area from the entrance. When we hike at Ice Box Canyon, for example, my backup plan is to go to Pine Creek Canyon if Ice Box is full. Pine Creek Canyon is a stop after Ice Box, so we can continue along the drive.
Why We Love Red Rock Canyon with Kids
Every visit is a little different. Sometimes we encounter burros, lizards, and interesting cacti, other times we see waterfalls, petroglyphs, ruins, or hidden creeks. Each experience is different, but the surprise of it always draws the kids in.
There is a good mix to keep the kids entertained, which is why Red Rock Canyon is one of our favorite places to explore. Whether you are looking for an easy trail or something more moderate, Red Rock Canyon offers variety perfect for any group.
Also, for kids, we love that it usually isn’t too crowded. We can embrace those moments of solitude with nature while giving the kids freer rein. It’s a destination where they can loudly explore and be themselves.
Don’t Skip the Visitor Center and Moenkopi Trail Before Starting the Scenic Drive
So many people drive right past the Visitor Center to start touring the Canyon, but after visiting more than 25 times, I think that’s a mistake. Not only do you want to grab a map, but you’ll also want to look at the exhibits and information in the back (outside) with the kids. They are worth seeing and there are tortoises you can try to find (on site). It’s exciting in the spring when they are first emerging to see if they’re out yet. Additionally, be sure the kids get their Junior Ranger workbook. Red Rock Canyon has a good one! The badge is nice and you get it when you get your book versus having to come back.
If someone asked me what the best trail for kids in Red Rock Canyon is, I’d say the Moenkopi Trail at the visitor center. It’s about a 2-mile loop that takes approximately 1.5 hours. It’s relatively flat at the beginning and the end, with some ascending and descending in the middle.
At the trailhead there are picnic tables, so you could start or end your hike with lunch or a place to sit for a snack. It’s an easy trail with amazing views! You have access to the bathrooms at the visitor center. It checks all the boxes for kids!
I highly recommend the Moenkopi Trail, and as a bonus if you only want to hike that trail for the day and don’t want to do the 13-mile scenic drive out, you can just exit at the entrance that you initially entered. Sometimes we’ll hit this trail after school when we are short on time but still want to get outside.
Beyond this trail there are so many other good ones, but you have to continue along the scenic drive! Our favorites, in order along the one-way scenic drive, are listed in the next section below.
Our Favorite Scenic Drive Stops and Trails with Kids
1) Calico I: I recommend doing an out-and-back on the Calico Hills Trail, which is down and to the left when you enter at the parking lot. There are great views of the Red Rocks and rock climbers if it’s a good day. There aren’t too many steep drop-offs on the left side. It felt mostly safe with our young kids. Plenty of parking.
2) Calico II: We’ve done an out-and-back on the Calico Hills Trail, which is to the right as you start the hike. The trail is not flat, and has more boulders to traverse, making it more moderate. It does connect back to the Calico I stop off, but we haven’t made it that far. There are some steep areas that we have steered clear of but doing a small section of this trail from both sides has been entertaining. Parking is limited.
3) Sandstone Quarry: We’ve done part of the Calico Tanks Trail with the kids. I recommend only doing a short out-and-back here as you get to some steep areas that require climbing. You can also check out the Turtlehead Peak Trail at the Sandstone Quarry stop too. We have only done an out-and-back hike on this trail as well. There is a slow climb on the way out, but nothing strenuous. It was pretty safe and manageable for us. It showcases a different viewpoint than the Calico Tanks trail, which is nice.
Disclaimer, my kids have both ripped their pants climbing on the boulders at the Sandstone Quarry stop, so you may want to have a backup pair in the car! Plenty of parking at this stop.
4) White Rock: Drive up the gravel road to the White Rock parking lot. It’s only about .25 miles off the main scenic drive. It’s a flat gravel road that any car can manage. Parking can be limited. There is an overflow small lot at the start of the gravel road. Here, I recommend the Keystone Thrust Trail at upper White Rock. There are great panoramic views of the area. There aren’t any drop-offs until maybe at the very end. The trail up to that point was appropriate for kids.
5) Willow Spring: I recommend doing the Petroglyph Trail and the Willow Spring Loop Trail. The Petroglyph Trail is short at .25 miles, but worth it to see the ancient drawings! On the Willow Spring Trail there are a couple of steep sections, but still appropriate for kids with caution. There is a waterfall to see too! It can be accessed through the Willow Spring Loop when it connects to Lost Creek. Or you can just hike Lost Creek to access the waterfall.
The Willow Spring parking area is decent-sized and has lots of picnic tables near the Petroglyph trailhead. As a bonus, we’ve seen some wildlife there on a couple of occasions.
There is another parking section at the Lost Creek Trailhead itself. (So, multiple parking sections at the Willow Creek stop)
6) Ice Box Canyon: This trail is known for being cooler, thus the name. The trail is popular, especially in the warmer months. We enjoyed this trail as a family, but there are A LOT of rocks and boulders. Be aware. There are also loose rocks.
It’s challenging with the rocky topography, and I liked the risk that my kids could take, but we were cautious. My kids say it’s one of their favorite hikes and ask to go back. Rock scrambling is in the wheelhouse!
Parking is limited at this stop.
7) Pine Creek Canyon: This stop is one of our favorites! Pine Creek Canyon Trail is an easy trail once you descend the stairs at the beginning, and features homestead ruins and a creek. It’s about 3 miles round trip.
Also, Fire Ecology Trail is an off-shooting loop that I recommend taking. The trail is the site of a controlled burn, which is interesting to see and read about. There is a picnic table almost midway, near the creek. Lastly, Dale’s Trail is easy and fun to explore. We’ve done an out-and-back hike on this trail to pick up some additional miles.
There is plenty of parking at this stop.
8) North Oak Creek: This stop is the last pull off on the scenic drive. Oak Creek Trailhead can be accessed by driving down a dirt road, about .25 miles. There is moderate parking at the trailhead.
The last time we hiked this trail was in early Spring after a recent snowfall in the mountains. It was picturesque to see some remaining snow on the ground and on the mountain tops. We did an out-and-back hike, about 2 miles round trip. It is an easy trail, and perfect for kids. It is pretty flat and doesn’t have too much climbing.
As a point of interest, we encountered some flowing water on the trail about 1 mile in. The scenery coupled with the ease of the hike makes for a nice overall experience.
Is Red Rock Canyon Worth Visiting with Kids?
The short answer is absolutely, yes! As mentioned, starting at Visitor Center is great to see with kids, and they can get their Junior Ranger book to look at and fill out for the day. The hiking trails and making short stops along the scenic drive are both very suitable for kids. Many hikes are easy and all of the scenic drive stops have something to see. The surprise will be what you will actually come across! We’ve seen different things in every trip. Sometimes we see wildlife, unique flowers, waterfalls, experience certain weather rolling in, see snow in the distance, aerial airplanes above, rock climbers, unique rock formations, etc. There is something for everyone and you will not leave disappointed.
Is Red Rock Canyon Good for Toddlers?
Yes! Since there is parking at the trailheads, most all trails can be explored in a short out-and-back with a young toddler. As mentioned, the go-to would be the Moenkopi Loop at the Visitor Center. It is easy, and you can just turn around and go back to your car or the bathroom if needed. For us the Moenkopi Trail is zero stress, and I don’t often see many people on this trail. It is underrated if you ask me! The second choices would be Sandstone Quarry stop, Willow Spring stop (Petroglyph Trail specifically), or North Oak Creek. These are all pretty flat at the start and easy to get back to the parking lot if needed.
How Much Time Do You Need in Red Rock Canyon?
If you start at the Visitor Center and hit one or two hikes somewhere along the scenic drive, I’d say you’d need about 3 hours. Just driving the scenic loop can take about 30 minutes, without stopping. Besides the actual hiking time, you may want to just stop off and view the landscape at a few stops. This could easily be a half day outing or a full day outing.
If you’re from out of town and want an itinerary suggestion for seeing a glimpse of most Red Rock Canyon in a day, check out that recommendation here. If you’re local, I’d suggest seeing portions at a time across different outings. 2-3 hours at a time. I’d select 1 or 2 hikes at a time, from my listing above, and then do the same for your next trip. It’s nice to spread it out so that you can keep going back to see something new. We’ve been visiting Red Rock Canyon consistently for approximately 2-3 years and have only now hiked a couple of trails at every stop. There are hundreds of miles of trails. Lots of opportunities to get the kids out in nature and explore!
Can You Visit Red Rock Canyon Without Hiking?
Absolutely! One thing we love about Red Rock Canyon is that you can enjoy the scenery without going on a hike, or even getting out of the car if you don’t want to. The 13-mile scenic drive provides flexibility for all to visit. You can drive the entire loop without stopping or pull off at any stop and stretch your legs in the parking lot to take in the views. You don’t actually have to go on a hike to enjoy the fantastic scenery of the red rocks and desert landscape.
Our very first visit to Red Rock Canyon was when we still lived on the East Coast and had limited time. We blitzed through the scenic drive, stopping only once or twice, but we still took away memories of the amazing views and appreciation for the beauty of the desert landscape.
So, if you are traveling with young kids, have limited time, or are local and just need to get out of the house and go for a drive or kill some time, don’t overlook Red Rock Canyon. You can still have a good experience just in the car on the scenic drive!
Free Red Rock Canyon Scavenger Hunt Printable
🎉Before you go, grab your FREE Red Rock Canyon Scavenger Hunt Bingo
Exploring Red Rock Canyon with kids? Make your adventure even more fun with my free printable Red Rock Canyon Scavenger Hunt Bingo!
Kids can search for desert plants, wildlife, rock formations, petroglyphs, and other sights as you explore the scenic drive and trails.
Download your free printable below and bring it along on your next visit.
[Download the Free Printable here]
More Red Rock Canyon Resources:
Check out my full page: Red Rock Canyon FAQs →
What to Pack for Red Rock Canyon→ A Complete Hiking Gear Checklist
Looking for other things to explore in and around Las Vegas?
Check out Outdoor Adventures in Las Vegas, Best Hikes within One Hour of Las Vegas, or my Nevada State Parks page to discover hikes, attractions, and planning tips for your next trip!
Happy Trails!