Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

This article is about the National Conservation Area in Nevada. For other uses, see Red Rock Canyon (disambiguation).

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area view.
Map showing the location of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Map showing the location of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
LocationClark County, Nevada, US
Nearest cityLas Vegas, Nevada
Coordinates36°08′08″N 115°25′38″W / 36.135574°N 115.42724°W / 36.135574; -115.42724
Area197,349 acres (798.64 km2)[1]
Established1967
Visitors2,000,000+
Governing bodyBureau of Land Management

The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Clark County, Nevada, United States, is an area managed by the Bureau of Land Management as part of its National Landscape Conservation System, and protected as a National Conservation Area. It is about 15 miles (24 km) west of Las Vegas. More than three million people visit the area each year.[2]

The conservation area showcases a set of large red rock formations: a set of sandstone peaks and walls that were formed by thrust faults including the Keystone Thrust. The walls are up to 3,000 feet (910 m) high, making them a popular hiking and rock climbing destination. The highest point is La Madre Mountain, at 8,154 feet (2,485 m).

A one-way, loop road, 13 miles (21 km) long, provides vehicle access to many of the features in the area. Several side roads and parking areas allow access to many of the area trails. A visitor center is at the start of the loop road. The loop road is also popular for bicycle touring; it begins with a moderate climb, then is mostly downhill or flat.

The Rocky Gap Road in Red Rock Canyon NCA is a side canyon accessible only by an unmaintained primitive road from the scenic loop which mostly only off-road or high-clearance vehicles can access. State Route 159 cuts through the Cottonwood Valley, also a side trail of the Old Spanish Trail. The Wilson Cliffs, a massive escarpment, can be seen to the west from SR 159.

Toward the southern end of the National Conservation Area are Spring Mountain Ranch State Park; the town of Blue Diamond; and Bonnie Springs Ranch, which includes a replica of a western ghost town, but which in 2019 was sold and closed to the public.

  1. ^ "Welcome to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area". Bureau of Land Management. Archived from the original on September 2, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  2. ^ "Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area". Bureau of Land Management. Retrieved June 3, 2017.