Many guests to Las Vegas are shocked to be taught that it’s not all casinos and nightlife. Town additionally gives gorgeous mountaineering trails in locations like Crimson Rock Canyon, Mt. Charleston, and Valley of Fireplace State Park. Most of those outside gems are situated inside an hour’s drive or much less of the Strip and are house to a few of the finest hikes in Las Vegas.
Having lived in Vegas for over 10 years myself, I’ve completely explored the Las Vegas mountaineering scene. There are trails for everybody whether or not you’re in search of a difficult hike or a leisurely stroll.
On this weblog put up, I provide the rundown of 6 of my favourite Las Vegas hikes that provide breathtaking views and a chance to attach with nature within the desert oasis of Las Vegas.
On the lookout for extra adventurous issues to do in Las Vegas? Try our put up on the finest outside adventures round Sin Metropolis.
Essential Reminder: Because it goes in all the locations we share, please apply good path etiquette and bear in mind to Go away No Hint. This implies packing out your entire rubbish (together with bathroom paper), being respectful to others, and following the established guidelines.
1. Calico Tanks Path
- Path kind: Out-and-back
- Location: Crimson Rock Canyon
- Distance: 2.3 miles
- Elevation Acquire: 420 ft
- Time: 2-3 hours
- Problem: Average, some scrambling required
- Canine allowed?: On leash
- Charges: $20 entrance charge or free with an America the Lovely Move
One of many first trails I ever hiked after I moved to Las Vegas was the Calico Tanks Path in Crimson Rock Canyon. I used to be blown away by the gorgeous views of the pink rock formations and the hidden pure swimming pools of water, often known as Calico Tanks.
It’s additionally a terrific mountaineering path to get close-up views of Las Vegas’s distinctive desert crops and cacti. It’s possible you’ll even spot some wildlife like rabbits or lizards!
The path is a bit tough in locations with some rocky sections that require cautious footing. Be ready to scramble together with your fingers at instances. However the reward on the finish is definitely worth the effort. You’ll be able to chill out by the attractive blue-green pool surrounded by towering rocks or proceed previous the pool for a panoramic view of the Las Vegas Valley.
This is without doubt one of the finest mountaineering trails for out-of-towners since you get an epic view of the Strip on the finish.
Essential: Between October 1st and Might thirty first, a Timed Entry Reservation into Crimson Rock Canyon Nationwide Conservation Space is required between 8am and 5pm. You’ll be able to make your Timed Entry Reservation on-line.
2. Mary Jane Falls Path
- Path kind: Out-and-back
- Location: Mt. Charleston
- Distance: 3.3 miles
- Elevation Acquire: 1,036 ft
- Time: 2-3 hours
- Problem: Average
- Canine allowed?: On leash
- Charges: None
Mt. Charleston, situated within the Spring Mountains Nationwide Recreation Space, is a spot not many guests to Las Vegas discover. The truth is, most individuals don’t even notice that only a quick drive away from town is an almost 12,000-foot peak!
My favourite Las Vegas hike on Mt. Charleston is the Mary Jane Falls Path. It’s a difficult hike with over 1,000 toes of elevation acquire, nevertheless it’s additionally very rewarding.
As you hike, the path takes you thru a scenic mountain canyon that’s surrounded by tall aspen bushes. After about 1.6 miles, you’ll attain a cliff face the place, when you’re fortunate, Mary Jane Falls might be trickling down from above.
The falls are normally lined in snow within the winter, nevertheless it’s a preferred hike in the summertime months for the reason that temperatures are sometimes 20 levels cooler than within the Las Vegas Valley.
Tip: If you wish to see water cascading down Mary Jane Falls, it’s finest to do that hike in late spring or early summer time when the snow is melting off Mt. Charleston.
3. Historic Railroad Tunnel Path
- Path kind: Out-and-back
- Location: Lake Mead Nationwide Recreation Space
- Distance: 8.2 miles
- Elevation Acquire: 931 ft
- Time: 3-4 hours
- Problem: Straightforward/Average (relying on size)
- Canine allowed?: On leash
- Charges: $15-$25 or free with an America the Lovely Move
Some of the distinctive mountaineering trails close to Las Vegas is the Historic Railroad Tunnel Path. It follows an outdated railroad mattress that was as soon as used to move provides to and from the Hoover Dam building website.
The 2 most important sights for the Railroad Tunnel Path are the gorgeous views out over Lake Mead and the 5 tunnels that the trail travels via. Every tunnel is about 25 toes vast, 30 toes excessive, and stretches a whopping 300 toes lengthy!
The Historic Railroad Tunnel Path is a distinct expertise than the opposite hikes on this record, however when you’re focused on historical past or engineering or need to catch some nice views over Lake Mead, it’s a pleasant hike so as to add to your record.
The path begins at Lake Mead Nationwide Recreation Space and because it’s an out-and-back, you may flip round everytime you’re prepared.
Want to bike? The Railroad Tunnel Path can also be open to cyclists if you wish to discover the complete 8.2-mile path.
4. Ice Field Canyon Path
- Path kind: Out-and-back
- Location: Crimson Rock Canyon
- Distance: 2.2 miles
- Elevation Acquire: 439 ft
- Time: 1.5-2.5 hours
- Problem: Average with some gentle scrambling
- Canine allowed?: On leash
- Charges: $20 entrance charge or free with an America the Lovely Move
For the extra adventurous hikers, the Ice Field Canyon Path is a good way to get away from the crowds and discover a lesser-visited a part of Crimson Rock Canyon Nationwide Conservation Space.
This path isn’t effectively marked, so that you’ll want a map or GPS app like AllTrails that will help you navigate. There may be additionally some gentle scrambling required via boulder fields, so you should definitely put on sturdy mountaineering boots and be ready to make use of your fingers.
However the rewards of this hike are value it! The views via Ice Field Canyon are gorgeous with tall cliffs towering above you on both aspect – some sections even really feel like slim slot canyons.
There’s additionally a seasonal waterfall on the finish of the path. You’re probably to catch water flowing between December and April.
Lastly, preserve an eye fixed out for Bighorn sheep, which prefer to traverse the canyon partitions.
Need extra concepts for the way to spend a day within the park? Right here’s a full record of issues to do in Crimson Rocks.
Essential: Between October 1st and Might thirty first, a Timed Entry Reservation into Crimson Rock Canyon Nationwide Conservation Space is required between 8am and 5pm. You’ll be able to make your Timed Entry Reservation on-line.
5. Fireplace Wave Path & Seven Wonders Loop
- Path kind: Loop
- Location: Valley of Fireplace State Park
- Distance: 1.9 miles
- Elevation Acquire: 187 ft
- Time: 2-3 hours
- Problem: Average
- Canine allowed?: On leash
- Charges: $10-$15 entrance charge
Each outside fanatic who visits Las Vegas ought to spend at the least just a few hours exploring the unbelievable surroundings at Valley of Fireplace State Park, northeast of town.
Recognized for its well-known pink and pink Aztec sandstone formations, Native American petroglyphs, scenic drives, and gorgeous mountaineering trails, this state park is really a gem.
My favourite hike in Valley of Fireplace is the Fireplace Wave Path and Seven Wonders Loop. It’s a very fashionable hike, so be ready to share it with different individuals, however the terrain and geological wonders make it a should.
The path might be achieved in both course, however I prefer to hike it counterclockwise so I finish on the Fireplace Wave Path with its swirling pink and pink sandstone slabs – I’d by no means seen something prefer it earlier than shifting to Las Vegas!
Different highlights alongside the loop embrace Pink Canyon with its slim partitions and sandy backside, the sensible Fireplace Cave, and Thunderstorm Arch, which rivals any arch in Arches Nationwide Park. If you wish to make it longer, you can even add on the 1.1-mile White Domes Path, which additionally contains a slim slot canyon and distinctive white rock formations.
This loop could be very uncovered with little to no shade, so convey plenty of solar safety and water in a day pack. I additionally extremely advocate planning your hike for early within the morning or late within the afternoon to keep away from the worst of the warmth.
Essential: Lots of the mountaineering trails in Valley of Fireplace State Park – together with Fireplace Wave and the Seven Wonders Loop – are closed between June 1st and September thirtieth attributable to excessive temperatures.
6. Arizona Scorching Springs Path
- Path kind: Loop
- Location: Lake Mead Nationwide Recreation Space
- Distance: 5.9 miles
- Elevation Acquire: 1,225 ft.
- Time: 5-7 hours (+ soaking time)
- Problem: Very Strenuous
- Canine allowed?: On leash
- Charges: $15-$25 or free with an America the Lovely Move
The Arizona Scorching Springs Path is an epic hike situated about half-hour from Las Vegas on the Arizona aspect of Lake Mead Nationwide Recreation Space.
Often known as Ringbolt Scorching Springs, it’s the most effective Las Vegas hikes for unbelievable surroundings and distinctive options. From slim slot canyons with towering partitions, spectacular views out over Lake Mead and the Colorado River, and heated swimming pools which you could sit and chill out in, it’s a bucket record hike for a lot of locals and guests.
There are a number of totally different swimming pools, all ranging in temperatures from cool to 100+ levels.
There are a few issues you must know earlier than heading out on this path, although:
- Don’t submerge your head within the scorching springs. Amoeba can enter your nostril and trigger a life-threatening an infection.
- Flash flooding can happen. Don’t try this hike throughout or after heavy rains.
- The path is closed in the summertime. Individuals have died from warmth exhaustion and dehydration. Don’t attempt to sneak in throughout the summer time months.
- Convey plenty of water! You’ll additionally must convey further to sip on when you plan to spend time on the scorching springs.
- Put on water footwear or sandals since a lot of the hike is in sandy or shallow water.
- Individuals soak within the nude, so it’s not the most effective place to convey youngsters.
After you’ve gotten completed soaking within the scorching springs you should definitely proceed via the canyon till you attain the Colorado River, the views there are merely superb!
When you favor a distinct form of journey, you can even kayak to those scorching springs and several other extra on the Colorado River. Try BFT’s Information to Kayaking Black Canyon’s Scorching Sprigs from Hoover Dam.
Greatest Time of Yr for Climbing in Las Vegas
The perfect time to hike in Las Vegas is throughout the cooler winter months between November and March. Daytime temps within the winter vary from the mid-50s to low 70s, which is right for heading out on the path.
The one anomaly is Mt. Charleston, which receives snowfall within the winter, making it a terrific place to go snowshoeing (get suggestions for snowshoeing right here). In any other case, Mt. Charleston is finest visited in the summertime months for mountaineering (and it’s usually 20 levels cooler than the Valley!).
Summers in Las Vegas might be dangerously scorching with temperatures hovering into the 100s. When you do plan on mountaineering throughout the summer time, it’s important that you simply get a really early begin (assume: dawn or earlier) and pack loads of water and solar safety.
It’s additionally necessary to notice that many Las Vegas hikes are closed throughout the summer time together with the Arizona Scorching Springs, Railroad Path, some trails in Valley of Fireplace State Park.
Suggestions for Climbing in Las Vegas
Earlier than heading in your Las Vegas hikes, listed here are some important mountaineering suggestions to bear in mind:
Convey a map
It’s simple to get misplaced within the desert as there aren’t at all times options that clearly outline the path. Earlier than you head out, obtain the map to your cellphone utilizing Gaia or AllTrails and ensure you have loads of battery to final the day.
Take note of the path as you hike. You would possibly discover path makers, in any other case often known as cairns. These are sometimes constructed by land managers to assist hikers know they’re on observe, which is why it’s necessary to not construct your individual rock stacks for enjoyable within the wilderness.
Carry loads of water and snacks
It’s necessary to remain hydrated and fueled whereas mountaineering within the Las Vegas desert. Be certain that to convey at the least 1-2 liters of water per hour of mountaineering. I extremely advocate bringing a hydration backpack so that you don’t must depend on water bottles. The new temperatures and solar publicity can rapidly dehydrate you.
You’ll additionally need to pack energy-dense mountaineering snacks like nuts and vitality bars to maintain your vitality ranges up.
Lastly, don’t neglect to convey a cooler with ice to retailer a post-hike beverage in your automobile!
Costume for the desert
When you’re not used to mountaineering within the desert, it’s a good suggestion to brush up on a few of BFT’s desert mountaineering suggestions – particularly relating to what to put on.
In the course of the day, desert temps might be scorching and dry, so that you’ll need to put on breathable, light-weight, moisture-wicking materials in gentle colours. It will assist you to keep cool and comfy on the paths. You would possibly even need to take into account a long-sleeve solar shirt to assist shield your pores and skin and preserve the solar’s rays at bay.
In colder climate, put on moisture-wicking layers so you’ve gotten choices because the day warms up or cools down.
On the subject of footwear, go for sturdy footwear or mountaineering boots that present assist, safety, and traction. The paths round Las Vegas might be rocky and unfastened, so that you’ll want good traction and assist.
Learn Extra
Desert Climbing Sources
Inform somebody of your mountaineering plans
Telling somebody about your mountaineering plans is essential on your security. Share the main points of what path you intend on mountaineering, once you’ll be leaving, and once you count on to return.
This manner, if something goes incorrect otherwise you get misplaced, assist might be despatched to the best location. Climbing within the desert might be disorienting and even harmful, so you should definitely let somebody know the place you’re going.
Be cautious of wildlife and desert hazards
Climbing within the Las Vegas space comes with its fair proportion of wildlife and desert hazards, so it’s necessary to know what to anticipate and be cautious.
Don’t bust the crust
Cryptobiotic soil is a dwelling crust on the bottom floor that’s comprised of microorganisms like cyanobacteria and different microbiota. These little black patches might be hundreds of years outdated!
Cryptobiotic soil is necessary for quite a few causes together with:
- Water absorption
- Stopping erosions
- New vegetative development
When you see a thick, bumpy, black or brown crust, please make certain to not step on it. These tiny clumps are very fragile and necessary for the desert ecosystem.
On the lookout for extra outside adventures round Las Vegas? Try these posts:
What are your favourite hikes in Las Vegas? Which of them would you love to do? Go away a remark under!
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