Story and Photos By Samantha Szesciorka
Viva Las Vegas! The famous “Sin City” in southern Nevada is known for gambling, shopping, nightlife, and entertainment, but you may be surprised to learn that it is also home to some world-class trail riding. If you’re looking for a jaw-dropping destination, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area should definitely be on your bucket list. This craggy and colorful mountain range is less than 20 miles from the neon lights of the Las Vegas Strip, but it feels more like a million miles. With vibrant colors, dramatic peaks, and scenic desertscapes, Red Rock offers unforgettable trails for equestrians.
Covering nearly 200,000 acres, Red Rock has a lot of diversity. Because it ranges in elevation from 3,000 feet to 8,000 feet, the region is chock-full of plants, animals, and unique geology. This part of the Mojave Desert has everything from Joshua trees and cholla cactus to ponderosa pines and juniper trees. It’s also home to wild burros, desert tortoises, and bighorn sheep. Petroglyphs and pictographs can be found throughout the area—evidence of Indigenous people who have been present at Red Rock for thousands of years.
Red Rock was Nevada’s first National Conservation Area, designated in 1990. The Bureau of Land Management manages it with the help of the Southern Nevada Conservancy. The area is an extremely popular tourist spot, drawing millions of visitors each year for hiking, climbing, and just gawking. Visitation has increased so much, so fast, that there is a reservation system in place for the main scenic drive loop from October through May. Fortunately, riders can avoid the crowds on one of Red Rock’s many equestrian-friendly trails, most of which are accessible outside of the scenic drive loop.
There are enough trails to warrant several visits to the area. The vast network of single-track trails all connect so you can rack up as little or as much mileage as you want. Not sure where to begin? Here is an overview of some of Red Rock’s best riding trails:
Pine Creek Canyon
This popular trail will make you feel like the main character in an old Western movie. That’s because the canyon was the filming location for famous Western movies as far back as the 1940s. Channel your inner Roy Rogers as you ride across the desert and into the mouth of the canyon where Mescalito, a red-capped and pyramid-shaped peak, looms large. Here, you’ll find the ruins of an old homestead, lush meadows, tall pine trees, and a creek. This ride is roughly five miles but can be combined with other trails to increase mileage.
White Rock Mountain Loop
This ride guarantees awe-inspiring views from start to finish. From glowing red sandstone to towering limestone cliffs through pinyon-juniper forests and the open desert, your neck might hurt from looking around so much. You’ll start out seeing the entire face of the dramatic wall of Red Rock with the Las Vegas skyline behind you. The trail leads to a rugged and hidden valley, where it touches two wilderness areas. This nine-mile loop is rather technical and includes some elevation gain and loss. It is the only trail that must be accessed inside the fee and reservation-required scenic drive loop.
Calico Basin
Prepare to be wowed on this picturesque ride that boasts colorful scenery, flowing springs, and interesting desert terrain. Calico Basin is known for its stunning palette of sandstone rock formations that range from white to pink to orange to red. When the sun is shining, the mountains glow like fire. Single-track trails weave and wind around the basin, ranging from mild to moderately technical. Calico Basin boasts some famous rock climbing routes, so keep an eye open for folks hanging off the rocks.
Oak Creek Canyon
This is one of the less visited canyons in Red Rock, making it a great place to ride. There are many route options to get to the mouth of the canyon, most of which are easy trails through the open desert. Once at the canyon, you’ll find thick groves of shrub oak and pine trees around the seasonal creek. Ride into the hills to find shady trees, soft, red dirt trails, and epic views of the whole valley to make a roughly five-mile loop back to the start, or pick up another trail to add some miles.
Late Night Trail
Located on the southern end of Red Rock, this trailhead offers a different perspective of the region. Tons of single-track trails crisscross the open desert filled with Joshua trees and cholla cacti for short or all-day rides. Head up into the fan of the mountains to spot petroglyphs or get a view of the Las Vegas skyline. Ponder history as you ride because this is the famed Old Spanish Trail route, a historic trade route connecting New Mexico to California.
Twilight Zone
Located on the far northern end of Red Rock, north of Las Vegas, this trail system sits in the foothills below Mt. Charleston, the highest point in this part of the state. It features long-distance views and plenty of riding options through the desert, rolling hills, and wide washes. This trail system is outside of the more visually iconic (and popular) parts of Red Rock so this is a good spot to get some desert solitude.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is a smidge cooler in temperature than Las Vegas proper but is best ridden in the fall, winter, and spring. Be sure to carry lots of water when riding Red Rock, as creeks are seasonal, and dehydration can sneak up fast in the desert. Hoof boots or shoes are recommended. Keep an eye open for deer, wild burros, and the occasional bighorn sheep. The trails are popular with hikers, dog walkers, and bicyclists, especially on weekends. There are no overnight horse camping accommodations in Red Rock so plan on day-use only.
For the complete guide to riding Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Nevada (including specific trail maps and additional photos of the trail markers and terrain) visit NevadaHorseTrails.com.
To find more trails in Nevada, visit HorseTrailsofAmerica.com/themap.
*Originally published in the The Trail Journal/August issue. To see more articles like this one: HorseTrailsofAmerica.com/the-trail-journal
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