1. How do I get to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area?
2. What does Red Rock have to offer a visitor?
3. Where can I find the Visitor Center and Book and Gift Store?
4. Can I shop at the Book and Gift Store over the Internet?
5. Who or what is the Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association?
6. What is a Conservation Area?
7. What does conserve, protect and enhance mean to me?
8. When is the Conservation Area open ...  ?
9. Is there camping in the area?
10. How about biking?
11. Where can I drive an off-highway vehicle at Red Rock Canyon?
12. Can I see an outline sketch of the area?

How do I ...  ?

Red Rock Canyon is located about 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip.  From Las Vegas the Conservation Area can be approached from Charleston Boulevard [north of Sahara Avenue], which will turn into State Route 159; or from State Route 160 [south of Tropicana] to the Junction with Route 159.  Just follow Route 159 until you see the entrance.

From the southwest, RRCNCA is reached by taking Route 160 East to Route 159;  From the north or south: both Route 95 and I-15 will lead you to Las Vegas and then follow the directions stated above. 

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What does ...  ?

Red Rock Canyon features a one-way 13-mile scenic drive, a Visitor Center which offers information and interpretation about recreation opportunities, wildlife, vegetation, geology, cultural resources and much more.  The facility also offers a book and gift store operated by the Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association, a non-profit organization with the mission of researching and sharing interpretive information about RRCNCA and assisting the BLM with endeavors related to interpretation.  If you click on the link to your left you will see the list of scheduled hikes and interpretive programs. 

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Where can I find ...  ?

The Book and Gift Store is located in the Visitor Center [VC] which you will be able to see from the entrance to the Conservation Area where the Fee Booth is located.  It is possible to visit the VC area without continuing on the scenic drive. 

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Shopping

Can I ...  ?

No. We do not currently have an online version of our Book and Gift Store.

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Nevada BLM Home

Who is ...  ?

The Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association is a not-for-profit organization that operates under a Cooperating Agreement with the BLM.  The Mission Statement explains RRCIA very well.

The primary purpose of the Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association is to enhance the recreational, educational and interpretive programs of the Bureau of Land Management, and other governmental agencies, by providing materials and services, which promote an understanding and appreciation of the natural history, cultural history and sciences of Southern Nevada.

BLM [Bureau of Land Management] Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Bureau of Land Management to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

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What is ...  ?

A Conservation Area is an area of federal public land set aside

"In order to conserve, protect and enhance [the area] for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations ....."

In 1990, special legislation  supported by the Nevada congressional delegation, declared the Red Rock Canyon area of southern Nevada to be a National Conservation Area [NCA], the seventh to be designated nationally.  As stated in its enabling legislation: 

"In order to conserve, protect and enhance for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations the area in southern Nevada containing and surrounding the  Red Rock Canyon and the unique and nationally important geologic, archeological, ecological, cultural, scenic, scientific, wildlife, riparian, wilderness, endangered species and recreation resources of the public lands therein contained, there is established the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area."

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What does ...  ?

To conserve, protect and enhance includes the following guidelines:

Keep wildlife wild - Feeding any wildlife is prohibited.  It is not in the best interest of any wild creature to wean them from their natural food supplies.  'Too easy' a lifestyle for our desert dwellers may cause overpopulation and turns them into dangerous creatures as they lose their fear of humans.

Potable [Drinking] Water
Water is available at the Visitor Center.  There is a vending machine and a drinking fountain.  Other, mostly seasonal, water sources within the park are not potable [fit for drinking] and are reserved for wildlife.

Take only pictures
Over 1.25 million people visit Red Rock Canyon each year.  Removal, disturbance, destruction, or disfigurement of anything in the conservation area is unlawful.  Please leave rocks, plants and wildlife for others to enjoy.

Vehicle laws
The scenic drive is narrow, winding and is sometimes congested.  Speed limits are posted for your safety and well-being.  State and federal laws apply within the Conservation Area. 

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When is ...  ?

The scenic drive is open, generally from dawn to dusk. The actual opening and closing times of the scenic drive change with the seasons.  For actual opening and closing times please call 702-515-5350.  The Visitor Center and Book and Gift Store are generally open except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.  The Visitor Center/Book and Gift Store opens at 8:00am and closes at 4:30pm.

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Is there ...  ?

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area offers seasonal camping at the Red Rock Canyon Campground.  The campground is located approximately 2 miles east of the Visitor Center on State Route 159 on the Moenkopi Road.  Barbecue grills, picnic tables, trash collection, water tank and pit toilets are available.  Accommodations are first come/first served; campground host on site.

Firewood is for sale by the campground hosts and is available between September 1 and May 31.  Collecting of downed vegetation of any kind is NOT ALLOWED in the Conservation Area.  For camping fees and regulations please follow this link:  Camping Info

For more information please call 702-515-5371.

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How about...  ?

Bicycles are allowed on the one-way Scenic Drive, paved spur roads and designated mountain bike trails.  Bikes are not allowed on designated hiking trails.  Motor vehicle regulations for bicycles apply while in the Conservation Area. The Cottonwood Valley Area has a system of trails designated for mountain bike and equestrian use.  Motorized vehicles are limited to designated roads. 
Biking Info

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Where can I drive off-highway...?

Off-highway driving in the National Conservation Area is limited to designated roads.  Drivers traveling off designated roads are subject to fines.  Roads open for off-highway recreation are multi-use: please be aware of other recreational user groups.  Follow "Tread Lightly" motorized vehicle guidelines.  Opportunities for off-highway vehicle touring are as follows:

• Rocky Gap Road
  An extremely rough, four-wheel drive road open to use by licensed and street legal vehicles.  Expect narrow road conditions with numerous washouts.  Not recommended for passenger cars or other low clearance vehicles.  Preparation and caution are recommended.  This route not patrolled or maintained.
• Cottonwood Valley
  An undeveloped area that features several unpaved routes.  Be prepared for washouts and sandy areas.  Watch for mountain bikers and equestrians. 

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Click on the icon to the left to see a larger view.  The sketch has been scanned and reduced from a publication that is now out of print.  It is very useful and informative.

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This page was last updated:  01/30/10 10:02 AM