Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
About
195,819 Acres of Red Sandstone West of Las Vegas
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area covers 195,819 acres of Mojave Desert and red sandstone formations 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip. Iconic 13-mile Scenic Drive plus 30+ trailheads.
What Kids Can Do
The Visitor Center has hands-on Mojave Desert exhibits, live Desert Tortoise habitats, and Junior Ranger booklets. The 13-mile Scenic Drive loops through the canyon with multiple pull-outs - kids spot bighorn sheep, wild burros, and the iconic red sandstone formations. Family-friendly trails include Children's Discovery Trail (0.7 miles) with kid-height interpretive signs, and Lost Creek Children's Discovery Trail leading to a seasonal waterfall. Calico Hills sandstone scrambling for older kids [marked: timed-entry reservations required Oct 1-May 31 - reserve at recreation.gov].
What's Included
$20 per vehicle (Scenic Drive). Visitor Center, Junior Ranger packets, all trails included. Annual passes accepted.
Experience
Plan 3-5 hours. Almost entirely outdoor - bring water (extreme desert heat May-September), sun protection, sturdy shoes. Stroller-friendly Visitor Center and Children's Discovery Trail. About 17 miles west of the Strip.