This 1-day itinerary for Red Rock Canyon showcases several of the region’s best day hikes, both on the characteristic red sandstone and under ancient limestone cliffs, as well as significant viewpoints where the diversity of cacti and desert wildlife can truly be appreciated.

There’s no doubt that Red Rocks is a geologically, ecologically, and historically significant spot, but what really makes it so special is its shocking proximity to Las Vegas- less than 30min from America’s casino capital is a spectacle of red rock and convoluted canyons, every bit as accessible as it is rugged. Even before tourism was its main draw, Red Rocks played host to countless critters and tribes of native people, its natural tanks and basins offering a rare source of water in the arid Mojave Desert. Protecting more than 200,000 acres of canyons, mountains, and unique desert wildlife, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is one of Nevada’s most spectacular outdoor playgrounds, attracting rock climbers and hikers from around the country to its vibrant Aztec sandstone cliffs and world-class crags.