Red Rock Canyon Las Vegas Scenic Drive: A Guide to the 13-Mile Loop

It’s an easy drive out to Red Rock Canyon from the neon-lit Las Vegas Strip. There are a few routes to take, but the quickest has you on the SR-159 via E Flamingo Road, taking about 20 miles and 30-45 minutes to get to the loop entrance and fee station. It’s a good idea to check the GPS before you head off to make sure you avoid any traffic or road closures.

Driving the Red Rock Canyon takes a small amount of planning as the 13-mile Scenic Drive loop isn’t free to drive and you will need a reservation during some peak periods. Here’s all you need to know.

Do you need a reservation to drive the Scenic Loop?

Yes, for entry between 8am and 5pm, between October 1 and May 31, you’ll need a reservation to drive the Scenic Loop. You can purchase these up to 30 days in advance of your drive. From June 1 through to September 30, reservations aren’t needed. During this time, you can drive up to the Entrance Station and purchase a pass before entering the Conservation Area. You can book at Recreation.gov.

How much does it cost?

The cost per car is $20 for one day. But there are a few pass options to choose from if you’re going to be in the area for longer or coming back within the year. The Red Rock Annual Pass costs $50 and the America the Beautiful Annual Pass is $80 per US citizen or $250 for non-US residents.

What are the opening hours?

The Scenic Drive is open all year from 6am. The opening hours are seasonal: 6am–5pm November through February, 6am–7pm in March and October, and 6am–8pm April through September. It’s always best to check on the website before arriving in case conditions have changed.

While the one-way, 13-mile loop only takes around 30-40 minutes to drive, the best parts are when you park the car and take trails or stop at lookouts. Here’s the best stops on the route.

Open daily from 8am to 4.30pm, the Red Rock Visitor Center is a must-stop to get acquainted with the canyon before you start exploring. Here you’ll find an information hub, outdoor exhibits and live tortoise habitats. There’s also a gift shop if you can’t leave without a little memento from your trip.

The first two stops on the loop are Calico 1 and Calico Hills North, both of which lay out spectacular views of the rich-red formations. From either of the two parking areas, you can stretch your legs on the 2- to 6-mile trail at the base of the Calico Rocks. How long it takes depends on which of the parking lots you access the trail from.

The Sandstone Quarry overlook is a great stop for a photo-op. You can also pick up the Turtlehead Peak trailhead from the parking lot here. It’s a fairly difficult climb to the top, but it is one of the more accessible canyon peaks. If you’re going in summer, you’ll want to start this one early before it gets too hot.

Next stop is the High Point Overlook, which, as its name suggests, is the highest point on the Scenic Drive loop. Stop here, have a snack and quench your thirst while you gaze out across this natural wonder, then take a few selfies before moving on.

If you’re ready for some more rigorous hiking, pull into the parking lot at Ice Box Canyon to embark on the difficult 2.2-mile trek to a tranquil canyon where waterfalls cascade between December and April. The shady canyon is a cool reprieve from the open desert, but to get there, you’ll need to scramble across rocks and boulders.

The easy to moderate Pine Creek Canyon walk is a highlight reel of the Red Rock Canyon. It’s a 2.4-mile route, taking around two hours that leads you to soaring canyon walls where diverse plant life and a ponderosa pine forest at the mouth of the canyon.

Make Red Rock Overlook your final stop before exiting the scenic loop for that one last perfect snapshot of this stunning landscape. At sunset, it’s particularly lovely when the rocky terrain glows rust-red and orange.

Driving the loop without stopping takes around 30 minutes. But if you’re keen to hit a trail or two, you can easily spend the full day here. Leave a minimum of 2 to 3 hours to enjoy the overlooks and a short walk. And don’t forget, the loop is one-way only, so there are no turn backs.

Driving the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Road is perfect in a campervan, the main loop is paved all the way making it an easy drive. And because there’s no food available on the route, having a campervan with all your own supplies is fantastic. You can stop for a coffee or an impromptu picnic at any of the pullouts along the way.

Just remember, some of the side roads, such as Calico Basin Road and Rocky Gap Road, aren’t paved. This means you’ll need to stay on the main loop as any damage to the campervan from unpaved roads is not covered. There’s also no gas once you enter and cell service is patchy at best, so be sure you have enough fuel to make it all the way around. Also keep in mind that in peak periods, parking lots fill up fast and gates will close once full.

If you’re renting your campervan from our Las Vegas depot, you have the incredible Nevada landscape at your feet. When you rent a campervan with Travellers Autobarn, you get free unlimited miles, so you needn’t worry about following the road and seeing where it goes. And with depots in both LA and San Francisco, you can either do a return loop or a one-way journey.

So grab the wheel, set the GPS and point your tires toward a few Las Vegas road trips to make the most of this captivating state and beyond. Check out these great adventures.

• Las Vegas to Zion National Park road trip
• Las Vegas to Sedona road trip
• Las Vegas to Reno road trip
• Las Vegas to Los Angeles

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