red rock canyon

[lynnwis]

We would like to do a day trip to Red rock canyon/ring of fire. What is the best way of doing this? Are there picnic areas? Is it a worthwhile trip?
Thanks for any advice. Plus, what is the best way to get there- we have a car.

[GNH2000]

We went to Red Rock Canyon last year- yes it was worth it.

It was a nice change of pace to get away and ride the loop road.

It's easy to get to- take West Charleston west from the strip....

I've included a link from the American Southwest website for more info:

http://www.americansouthwest.net/nevada/red_rock_canyon/nca.html

Have a great time!

[trustwiz]

We live in Las Vegas and have been to both Red Rock Canyon and the Valley of Fire many, many times. If you have the time I would HIGHLY suggest Valley of Fire over Red Rock Canyon. But you can do both. Red Rock will take you a couple of hours to go through depending on whether or not you want to hike or just drive through. The best way to get there if you are on the Southern end of the strip is to take the Blue Diamond Exit on I-15 towards Blue Diamond (West). It's probably about 15 miles or so. You will see a turnoff on the right side for Red Rock Canyon.Drive a few more miles and you will see the entrance to the visitor center on the left. You may also see a few wild donkeys if you go around dusk.
Valley of Fire is my favorite outdoor trek. I would really rank it way up there with the Grand Canyon as far as beauty and things to do. (I actually prefer it much more than the Grand Canyon!) Plan on staying for at least 4 hours. IT IS EXTRAORDINARY! If you love climbing, you'll love it.
Wear sneakers or hiking shoes. A few of the spots are famous for Movie scenes from Star Trek (Spock is buried there) and One Million Years, B.C.
Don't miss "Fire Canyon" It is an unbelievable view!!
Take I-15 NORTH towards Utah about 45 minutes. You will see an exit named appropriately "Valley of Fire". At the exit, there will be a small Indian Casino. Follow the signs towards Valley of Fire (about 15 more minutes).
Both places have some tables for eating picnic lunches. Red Rock at the visitor center and Valley of Fire at the entrance to Mouse's Tank and The 4 Sisters. Bring food and water. There are no restaurants.

[Vegas Vic]

We live in Las Vegas and have been to both Red Rock Canyon and the Valley of Fire many, many times. If you have the time I would HIGHLY suggest Valley of Fire over Red Rock Canyon. But you can do both.
The most important part of this post is the last line....do both!

While Vegas has lots of offer on the strip or downtown, including a side trip or two on each visit just adds to the experience. We tend to visit Vegas in the Winter when getting out and about is easy and comfortable.

Good Luck

[WACO]

NICE LITTLE ROAD TRIP. WATCH OUT FOR THE BURROS :eek:

[mturner]

unless you live in mountain country anyway---which i live in the farm lands of illinois... it is a must see.

guess i will have to do the valley of fire next time i am there !!! haven't been there yet but will now!

[grannyvegas]

We have done both Valley of Fire and Red Rock Canyon. Would give a definite yes to seeing both of them. Well worth you time and a nice get away for the day.

[FUN-4-US]

We have been to Red Rock Canyon many times and Valley of Fire once.
Also took day trips to southern Utah and visited Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park. We try to do one day trip during each Vegas Vacation.

Red Rock Canyon is a 13 mile scenic drive with about 7 or 8 lookouts. You can get out of your car and hike in a little, depends how much time you want to spend there. The time there goes by quickly.

We buy Subway hoagies and drinks in Vegas, put them in one of those flat insulated Hot/Cold bags (we buy at our grocery store at home and lay it flat in our suitcase) specifically for our day trip to Red Rock, and have our lunch there. There are picnic tables at the different stops along the 13 mile drive.

It's $5 a car to enter. Stop at the Visitors Center first. You can get information and souveneirs there. They also have cold water and "inside" restrooms there. You can drive through slowly, stop at each overlook and just observe and take pictures or walk in a little or hike in. Going through Blue Diamond you may see some wild burros that come down to the road. You can get some beautiful pictures, especially if you walk in a little, with the red sandstone formations, tan, white, grey mountains against the bright blue sky, as good as any post card. Hard to describe, you have to see it. Definitely worth taking the time to see it!

Same with Valley of Fire. If you have more time, it is a little farther than Red Rock. At Valley of Fire you will see the gorgeous mountain scenery and also ancient, primitive Indian drawings on the rocks. The petrographs have been there for many, many years. It is amazing that these drawings have withstood the effects of mother nature and time. You feel you are on hallowed ground walking through the canyons, and on "red sand" from the erosion of the rocks from over the years.

At Valley of Fire, also a drive through scenic loop, as you come over the hill to the last lookout stop, the panaramic scene of the varied colored rocks and mountains in reds,tans, whites, almost lavender, is gorgeous and you feel like you'll see some prehistoric animals come out from behind the rocks. The brochure you get tells you the area is basically untouched since prehistoric times. At each Red Rock and Valley of Fire, we bought the video with narratives and film describing each stop. A nice remembrance to have. Always nice to view it again on a cold, snowy winter night back home in PA.

It's breathtaking and definitely worth the trip. These are other fantastic facets of a Vegas Vacation, if you have the time and want to make the most of your vacation by seeing some of the surrounding desert scenery.

[LJG0722]

I think it is a must see. If you have a rental car, it is an easy ride out there from the Strip and well worth it. Very nice scenery and great photo opportunities. I believe it was about five dollars for the car to enter and there is a long loop that you can drive around the park. You can just get out of the car and take some picures or you can hike and walk all around depending on how much exercise you want to get in. I highly recommend the trip out there.

Enjoy

LJG0722

[lynnwis]

All of your advice was wonderful. We are leaving for Vegas on Wednesday. :) I will do a trip report. Red rock sounds so interesting and fun. Lynn

[DanDeJonge]

Red Rock is Great. We went in November of last year.....the temperature in Vegas was 70 and the temperature at Red Rock was about 50. Made for some cold hiking...not sure what you will encounter in September..

[slugr]

They are both awsome! Mother has done great things. The view is post card perfect.

[blazing7slv]

We always rent a car and make a day trip to either Red Rock or Valley of Fire. Both are really beautiful. Make sure to take a camera. We have also driven to the Grand Canyon. Now that's something everyone should do, at least once. Living on the East Coast, we were determined to get there. Drove out one day, drove back the next. Would do it again. Absolutely beautiful!!!!