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Las Vegas is known around the world for its casinos, bright lights, entertainment and crowds. But drive only about 20 miles west of the city and the scenery changes completely. The buildings begin to disappear, the noise fades away, and suddenly you are looking at an enormous landscape of red rock, desert and open sky.This is Red Rock Canyon, and for anyone who enjoys hiking and the outdoors, it is one of the places near Las Vegas that I believe is well worth experiencing.
I visited Red Rock Canyon during one of my trips to Las Vegas, and what I remember most isn't just the scenery. I remember the silence.
Once I started hiking deeper into the landscape, Las Vegas felt much farther away than it actually was.
A Completely Different Side of Las Vegas
When most people plan a trip to Las Vegas, hiking probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind. That is exactly what makes Red Rock Canyon such an interesting addition to a Vegas trip.
You can spend time surrounded by hotels, restaurants, casinos and thousands of people, then drive a relatively short distance and find yourself surrounded by desert wilderness.
The contrast is remarkable.
The landscape appears barren at first, but the longer you look at it, the more you begin to see. There are different shades of red, orange and brown in the rocks, desert plants and cactus scattered throughout the landscape, and enormous rock formations stretching across the horizon.
It has a beauty that is completely different from a green forest or mountain trail.
The Rocks Tell Their Own StoryOne of the things that fascinated me during my hike was the different colors and layers in the rocks.
You don't need to be a geologist to appreciate what you are looking at. Standing there and seeing layer after layer of rock makes you think about how long these formations have existed and everything that had to happen for the landscape to eventually look the way it does today.
Some areas are bright red while others contain lighter shades and contrasting layers.
I found myself stopping frequently just to look around.
There were moments when the formations seemed to continue forever. The farther I hiked, the more impressive the landscape became.
Hiking Deeper Into Red Rock Canyon
There are numerous hiking opportunities throughout Red Rock Canyon, ranging from relatively easy walks to more challenging routes.
During my visit, I decided to hike farther into the canyon.
At first everything seemed straightforward. In an open desert environment, it can feel as though you should always be able to see where you came from.
That can be misleading.
Once I had traveled deeper into the landscape, I began realizing how easy it could be to lose your sense of direction. Rocks and formations that seemed obvious on the way in didn't necessarily look the same when I turned around.
At the time, I noticed small rock markings and arrows that helped me recognize the direction back.
That experience taught me something I have remembered on many hikes since then: never assume a trail is impossible to lose simply because the landscape is open.
Today I would always recommend carrying a map or downloaded offline trail information rather than depending on informal rock markings. Conditions change, and what another hiker has placed along a trail should never be your only navigation system.
The Loneliness of the Desert
Another memory that has stayed with me is the feeling of being alone.
There were places where I didn't see another person nearby. The deeper I went, the quieter everything became.
There is something wonderful about that kind of solitude, but there can also be something intimidating about it.
I remember looking around at this enormous landscape and realizing just how small I was compared with everything surrounding me. I was impressed by the beauty, but at the same time I felt a little fear.
How far had I gone?
Would I easily recognize my way back?
What if something happened?
Those thoughts are very different when you're standing alone in the desert than when you're sitting comfortably at home planning a hike.
But that is also part of what I enjoy about hiking.
Sometimes a trail challenges more than your legs. It tests your confidence, judgment and determination. You learn when to continue, when to slow down and when to turn around.
There is a difference between taking a reasonable challenge and taking an unnecessary risk. Experience has taught me to respect that difference.
Water Is Not Optional in the Desert
One of the most important things I would emphasize about hiking around Red Rock Canyon is water.
This is a desert environment. Do not begin a long hike expecting to find reliable drinking water along the trail. Carry more water than you think you will need, particularly during warmer weather.
Heat and dry air can cause you to lose water faster than you realize. If you are concentrating on the scenery or trying to reach a particular point on a trail, it can also be easy to underestimate how far you have traveled.
Pay attention to the warning signs posted around the area. Some of these signs use very strong language about dehydration, extreme heat, serious injury and even death. They are there for a reason. Desert conditions can become dangerous very quickly, especially when temperatures are high.
Remember that reaching your destination is only half of the hike.
You still have to get back.
If you begin feeling unusually thirsty, weak, dizzy, confused, nauseated or develop a headache, don't ignore it just because you want to finish the trail. Turn around, find shade when possible, rest and make getting back safely your priority.
Sun protection, proper footwear, navigation, snacks and letting someone know your plans are also simple precautions that can make a big difference.
Red Rock Canyon is an incredible place to hike, but the desert deserves respect. Carry enough water, pay attention to the warning signs, know your limits and always save enough energy and water for the return journey.
Wildlife — Even When You Don't See It
I didn't see much wildlife during my particular hike, but that doesn't mean wildlife isn't present.
That is another lesson I've learned through years of traveling and hiking: what you don't see can still be there.
Desert environments support many forms of wildlife, and hikers should always respect the animals and their habitat. Watch where you step, don't approach or feed wildlife, and remember that this is their environment long before it is our recreation area.
Take Your Time
Red Rock Canyon isn't a place where I would recommend rushing from one attraction to another just to say you've seen it.
Stop.
Look around.
Notice the colors in the rocks. Look at the cactus and other desert plants surviving in conditions that seem almost impossible. Listen to how quiet the landscape becomes when you move away from other visitors.
Photography is wonderful, and I certainly took photographs during my visit, but occasionally put the camera down.
Some landscapes are better remembered by experiencing them first.
A Break From the Las Vegas Crowds
One of the reasons Red Rock Canyon made such an impression on me was its proximity to Las Vegas.
You can spend one part of your trip surrounded by lights, music, traffic and people, and then find yourself standing in the desert listening to almost nothing.
If Las Vegas starts to feel overwhelming, this is the kind of getaway that can completely change the pace of your trip.
It also reminds you that Nevada is much more than Las Vegas Boulevard.
There is an enormous natural landscape beyond the casinos.
Before You Go
Conditions, entrance procedures, hours and access can change, so check current information before your visit. Desert temperatures can also vary dramatically by season and time of day.If you plan to hike, know which trail you are taking before you begin. Download your map for offline use, carry sufficient water, check the weather and make sure someone knows where you are going if you will be hiking alone.
Most importantly, don't let the proximity to Las Vegas make you underestimate the environment.
Once you leave the developed areas and start hiking, you are in the desert.
Treat it that way.
Why I Still Remember Red Rock Canyon
Years have passed since this early Travel Ideas USA experience, but I can still remember hiking deeper into Red Rock Canyon and looking around at the enormous formations surrounding me.
At different moments I was amazed, excited and even a little fearful.
That combination is probably why I remember the experience so clearly.
Travel isn't always about being comfortable.
Sometimes the places that stay in our minds are the ones that make us feel small, challenge our confidence and remind us that nature doesn't need anything from us. It simply exists, and we are fortunate enough to experience it for a little while.
Red Rock Canyon did that for me.
If you are visiting Las Vegas and need a break from the crowds, lights and constant activity, drive away from the Strip for a while.
Trade the neon lights for red rocks.
Trade the crowds for desert silence.
And take a walk.
You may return to Las Vegas seeing Nevada a little differently than you did before.
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