Day Trips to Red Rock Canyon from Las Vegas

Red Rock Canyon is a natural conservation area located in Nevada, about 27 kilometres from the city of Las Vegas. The area is full of trails and areas for hiking, horseback riding, biking, rock climbing and many other amazing activities, all in the midst of a unique natural desert landscape.

This spectacular landscape is an area of worldwide geological interest, which means there is plenty to see, as well as a variety of ways to enjoy it. Throughout this article I'll tell you about the best tours you can take to see Red Rock Canyon so you can add this excursion to your list of things to see and do in Las Vegas. You can't miss it!

One of the best tours you can do from Las Vegas is this one that will allow you to see Red Rock Canyon at your own pace and without rushing, as you have the option to book it just for your group.

You'll be able to see the highlights of the Mojave Desert, with natural stone sculptures, mostly represented by the impressive red rock peaks, which have been formed over the years by wind erosion.

Among the wonders you'll find on this tour are the Keystone Thrust fault and the petroglyphs and other traces that Native Americans have left on this land over the years.

The tour usually includes admission to the visitor centre and stops at each of the scenic overlooks along the 21-kilometre route. The best photos of the Nevada desert are taken at these points.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 560 euros for groups of up to 4 people.
• Duration: 4 hours approximately
• Means of transport: They usually have a pick-up and drop-off service.
• Advantages of this option: it is an excellent option to avoid crowds of people and enjoy with the family.

This tour is a different and exciting way to enjoy the desert scenery that Red Rock Canyon has to offer. Each vehicle has room for two people, so the price is per scooter, so the total cost will depend on the number of small cars you require so that everyone in the family can take the tour.

The tour will last about 3.5 hours and then you'll have time to explore some of the scenery on foot or discover curiosities at the visitor centre. During the ride you can enjoy the best views, while following the guide in your small, fast vehicle.

A trip to Red Rock Canyon is just as important as the Grand Canyon tours: both are simply unmissable stops in Nevada.

The former is only about 30 minutes from Las Vegas, so it's the best option if you're only going for a short time and want to get a good impression of the desert.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately from 350 euros for 2 people.
• Duration: 4 hours and 30 minutes approximately.
• Means of transport: They usually have a pick-up and drop-off service depending on the hotel.
• Advantages of this option: It is a short tour, so it is ideal if you are short on time.

This is a very different way to see the scenery of the Mojave Desert. Like the helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon, this is without a doubt one of the most incredible experiences you will ever have.

On the way out, you'll get the best view of the rock formations and their distinctive reddish colour, and on the way back, the neon lights of the city complete the experience, taking it up a notch.

The tour offers a private experience where, after you've taken to the desert in the air, you stop at a private spot to enjoy a more intimate time, sipping exquisite champagne along with the scenery. Would you ask for marriage in such a magical place? Drunk with excitement, it's easy to understand why everyone wants to get married in Vegas.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately from 250 euros per person.
• Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours.
• Means of transport: Hotel pick-up service by limousine.
• Advantages of this option: offers a very different view of the Red Rock Canyon landscape. Small group of up to 6 people.

The best thing about this tour is being able to revel in the beauty of this landscape as it is bathed in the sunset lights. It's a special magic that makes this one of the best things to do in Las Vegas in 4 days, if you're short on time.

In addition to hiking the nature trails, stopping at viewpoints and seeing the desert wildlife up close, you can include a stop at the 7 Magic Mountains art exhibit by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone as a bonus.

All this, just in time to watch the sunset and be amazed by the intensity of the colours of both the sky and the landscape - don't forget your camera!

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 125 euros per person.
• Duration: 4 to 5 and a half hours.
• Means of transport: Pick up and return to the hotel.
• Advantages of this option: it is done in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.

Electric bike rides in Red Rock Canyon have a very special charm. You can enjoy the scenery at your own pace, without missing a thing, riding along the trails in the company of an experienced guide who will tell you the history of this majestic place.

This 30-kilometre paved, desert-surrounded tour is one of the best National Park tours from Las Vegas.

One of the biggest advantages of this tour is the ability to reach even the highest and most difficult terrain without any trouble or effort, which is ideal for those who don't like long hikes over rocky terrain.

And if you like this kind of activity, don't worry. There will be plenty of time for stops and short walks in the magnificent and prehistoric Red Rock Canyon.

Details of interest

• Price: about 120 euros per person.
• Duration: about 3 hours.
• Means of transport: pick up and drop off at the hotel.
• Advantages of this option: you will discover the desert without exhausting yourself.

If there's one place in the Mojave Desert where you'll find the best off-road tours in Las Vegas, it's Red Rock Canyon.

Climb aboard these open-top vehicles and enjoy the scenery on a 21-kilometre circular tour of the desert, hitting every interesting nook and cranny, with plenty of time to get to know this canyon in depth.

The adventure will take you to strategic stops, where you'll find pictographs of the ancient natives, uncovering some of the interesting history of this place.

If you keep your eyes peeled, you'll see coyotes, snakes and other native animals. You'll also see the Keystone Thrust Fault, a place where nature will take your breath away.

Details of interest

• Price: around 140 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours.
• Means of transport: pick up and drop off at the hotel.
• Advantages of this option: you will enjoy the experience in the company of a small group of a maximum of 7 people.

One of the best ways to experience Red Rock Canyon is to take the best hiking trails and become one with the scenery. Your guide will fill you in on the history and geology of the area and take you to the most iconic stops, where native footprints survive to this day.

The curious Native American petroglyphs are even more mysterious in person. Plus, the colours of the mountains and vegetation will make you feel like a true explorer. There will be no shortage of photo opportunities, with intoxicating natural colours, so bring a good camera!

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 580 euros for groups of 3 people.
• Duration: 5 hours.
• Means of transport: pick up and return to the hotel.
• Advantages of this option: you will have the freedom to explore the desert at your own pace, with as many stops as you wish.

Having a trained and knowledgeable staff is essential to enjoy the ride without risk. For those who have never ridden a scooter, for example, the guide kindly offers a short, quick course, which turns out to be more than enough.

Guided tours and excursions include the most important stops, leaving you with a more complete impression and experience, and some even allow you to experience the wonders of the desert without discomfort, such as the luxury tours.

You can also choose to book a small group option, touring the landscapes of Red Rock Canyon.

Don't forget to get interesting information at the visitor centre, where you'll also find a souvenir shop that you're sure to love - remember to bring cash!

If you have the opportunity to get to Las Vegas, a tour of Red Rock Canyon is one of the best ways to get an incredible impression of this unique and distinct geography. For example, a ride through the desert, feeling the wind at full speed, is an incredible experience.

On these excursions you will have the opportunity to get a close look at the local fauna, including wild horses, pumas and eagles on the wing. You can stop wherever you like and hike a little to reach some high points where the view is simply magnificent.

One of the best stops is Wilson Cliffs, where the colour of the region becomes even more intense. Likewise, Calico Hills competes closely with this explosive display of reds and oranges, dotted with deep green.

It's an adventure unlike any other that will immerse you in the desert landscape of Red Rock Canyon, as you travel through the Mojave Desert.

The landscape of Red Rock Canyon looks like a passage to another world. The colours of the minerals and the shapes of the rocks are simply magnificent. To enjoy it to the fullest, it is essential to take certain precautions, as you cannot forget that it is a desert and the climate is very different from what you are used to.

• Don't forget to hydrate: First of all, take plenty of water. Although most tours cover hydration, I assure you that it won't hurt to bring an extra bottle.
• Clothing: Clothing is also an important point to consider. It should be appropriate for the warm weather, but at the same time protect you from the sun. UV-protected clothing that is light and loose-fitting is the best choice.
• Footwear: Don't forget sturdy, comfortable sports shoes with good grip on the soles. This way you can enjoy hiking routes that you will never forget. Don't forget to bring sunglasses!
• Take amap: Even if you are travelling on a guided tour, make sure you take a map with you. You can download it from the official Red Rock Canyon website or at the visitor centre before you set off.
• Plan your trip in advance: Among other things, you should take into account the weather or the times of the year when it is best to go on these tours. Tours can be booked well in advance to make sure you cover all the sights you want to see.

To book a tour to Red Rock Canyon, the first thing to do is to look at the best dates for your visit. Consider the weather and the places you want to see, and the type of experience you want.

For example, to enjoy a landscape full of flowers and vegetation at its best, April is the ideal month. During spring you'll also see the most abundant waterfalls and the temperature is not so hot. Between 21°C and 26°C.

Autumn is also a good time to visit Red Rock Canyon, i.e. September and October. The weather is equally cool and you can enjoy the desert scenery without being affected by the extreme heat of summer or the harsh cold of winter.

After you decide when, think about what you want to see. There are many monuments and natural landscapes and, depending on the length of your trip, you will be able to see one or the other.

When you have these decisions made, the next thing to do is to go to the websites offering the tours and choose the ones that best suit your plans according to availability. I recommend you do this in advance so that you don't run out of places.