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Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Hiking

The following is a brief list of the more popular hikes in the area. Many of these hikes do not follow developed trails, so it is best to carry a map of the area. Topographic maps of the Red Rock Canyon area are available for sale at the Visitor Center information desk. If you have any questions about a route, ask a Red Rock Canyon ranger.

To protect resources, please do not collect plants, rock specimens or fossils or disturb the wildlife in the National Conservation Area.

 

Lost Creek Loop
(.7 mile round trip, easy)

From the Lost Creek parking area follow either the left or right loop to the creek, where water can be found all year. One can continue upstream to a box canyon to a seasonal waterfall shown at left.

 

 

Moenkopi Loop
(2 miles round trip, easy)

The loop starts southwest of the Visitor Center near the weather station and leads to the crest of the hill west of the Visitor Center. At the crest, cottontop barrel cactus and Triassic fossils can be seen. Along the way a diverse community of plants exists creosote, blackbrush, yuccas.

 

Calico Hills
(Distance variable, easy to moderate)

From each of the first two overlooks short trails lead to the wash at the base of the Calico Hills. One can follow the wash or scramble on the sandstone hills. Seasonally, small pools can be found In the sandstone. Be especially careful when hiking on sandstone.

 

Calico Tanks
(2.5 miles round trip, moderately strenuous. some rock scrambling)

From Sandstone Quarry follow the wash north toward Turtlehead peak for 1/4 mile, turn right (east) and continue up a side canyon to a large natural water tank (tinaja). This and other tinajas in the Calico Hills are important sources of water for the area's wildlife.

 

Turtlehead Peak
(5 miles round trip, very strenuous)

From Sandstone Quarry the route follows the wash north through the Calico Hills, climbs a ravine to the left of Turtlehead and follows the ridge to the top. The spectacular views are well worth the 1,700 foot climb.

 

Keystone Thrust
(4 miles round trip, moderate)

From the lower White Rock Springs parking area follow the dirt road .8 mile to a closed dirt road on the right (east). Follow the trail to the fork (approximately .75 mile); follow the right fork down to the small canyon and the contact of the keystone Thrust where the limestone meets sandstone.

 

White Rock / LaMadre Spring Loop
(6 miles round trip, moderate)

This trail can start from either White Rock or Willow Spring. From White Rock take the upper wash going west. At Willow Spring go east and north.

 

White Rock Spring to Willow Spring
(3 miles round trip, easy)

From the lower White Rock Spring parking area follow the dirt road .8 mile to a closed dirt road on the left (west). Follow this short dirt road to the water catchments at White Rock Spring. Just before reaching the catchment the trail to Willow Spring can be located on the left, heading in a southwesterly direction. The trail follows along the base of the White Rock Hills. The trail joins the Willow Spring trail across from the Lost Creek trail parking area.

 

Willow Spring Loop
(1.5 miles round trip, easy)

The trail follows the left (northeast) side of the canyon past Indian roasting pits to the Lost Creek parking area. From there the trail to the right crosses Red Rock and returns to Willow Spring. This trail passes through a variety of plant communities - pines, oaks, desert and riparian.

 

LaMadre Spring
(6 miles round trip, moderate)

From the Willow Spring picnic area follow the Rocky Gap road (end of pavement). Watch for the right-hand fork in the road and follow to the dam. A foot path continues up the creek to the spring. Bighorn sheep and other wildlife rely on the water from this spring.

 

Top of the Escarpment
(14 miles round trip, strenuous)

From the Willow Spring picnic area follow the Rocky Gap road (end of pavement). At the fork head southwest (left) - the right fork leads to LaMadre Spring. The road passes Lone Pine Spring (3 miles) and Switchback Spring at it climbs to the summit. From Red Rock summit (3 miles) follow the ridge easterly to the top of the escarpment.

 

Ice Box Canyon
(2.5 miles round trip, moderately strenuous, some rock scrambling)

From the Ice Box Canyon Overlook follow the trail across the wash. The trail stays on the bench to the right (north) side of the canyon until the canyon narrows. The trail ends as it drops into the wash. Follow the wash by boulder hopping to a seasonal waterfall and box canyon. Ice Box Canyon derives its names from the cooler temperatures in this canyon.

 

Pine Creek Canyon
(4 to 5 miles round trip, moderately strenuous)

From the Pine Creek Canyon overlook follow the trail downhill to the closed dirt road which leads to the old Horace Wilson homestead site; nothing remains except the foundation. The canyon divides above the homestead site; either fork can be followed, but the left is preferable. Pine Creek was named for the unusual occurrence of ponderosa pines at this elevation in the desert; the trees thrive here because of the moisture and cooler temperatures.

 

Oak Creek Canyon
(5 to 6 miles round trip, moderately strenuous)

From the Scenic Loop exit follow State Route 139 South for I - 6 miles to the dirt road leading to Oak Creek Canyon. A very rough road can be followed on foot (or vehicle for the adventuresome) from the roadway. From the road closure at the end of the dirt road follow the trail around 'Potato Knoll' to the left. Oak Creek Canyon is known for the stands of live shrub oak and sandy 'beaches' along the wash. Seasonal waterfalls can be found in the canyon.

 

First Creek Canyon
(5 miles round trip, moderatley strenuous)

From the Scenic Loop exit follow State Route 139 south for 2.6 miles. A large dirt parking area marks the trailhead. Follow the closed dirt road to the mouth of the canyon. A trail follows the canyon on the left side for a distance; some rock scrambling is required thereafter. Seasonal waterfalls can be found in the canyon.

 

Grand Circle Adventure
(11 miles round trip, moderately strenuous)

The trail starts at the Visitor Center and goes north to the Calico Hills, west to White Rock, then south to the "Old Willow Road" which then heads east back to the Visitor Center.