The Mojave Desert in Nevada is home to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Known for its geological features such as towering red sandstone peaks, the Keystone Thrust, and Native American petroglyphs, Red Rock Canyon attracts more than 2 million visitors a year.

The beautiful landscape that can be seen today at Red Rock began to form hundreds of millions of years ago. Due to climate changes, wind, and the natural rising in the Earth, the dunes' formation began to take it's shape. Thanks to the oxidation of the minerals in the rock, layers between the grey rock and red rock create the multicolored landscape, known as the Keystone Thrust.

There have been six Native American tribes who have occupied the area dating back to the prehistoric times (11,000 B.C.). The resources of water, plants and animal life were easy to find in the area, unlike the surrounding desert areas, making Red Rock an attractive place to call home. As you explore the canyon, keep an eye out for the many petroglyphs and pottery fragments that have been left behind by these tribes.

Discover Red Rock Canyon on a hike, and for the experts, make your way up to La Madre Mountain, the highest point in the area. At 8,154 feet, you can enjoy the panoramic views from up above. Wildlife lovers will have the chance to see over 200 different species of animals including coyotes, mustangs, jackrabbits and many birds.

Visit this 13 mile loop in the early morning and photograph the sunrise as it shines on the Aztec sandstones, or take pictures of nature along the trails. For those who like to be active, rock climbing and mountain biking are popular activitie done at Red Rock. If you want to enjoy the scenery but in a more relaxed way, you can do so with an e-bike tour or in your car driving through the scenic driving route.

The scenic drive is open all year round but has different closing hours depending on the season: opening hours are always at 6:00 am with closing times at 5:00 PM from November to February. In March and October, the scenic drive closes at 7:00 PM, while during the summer months (April-September), closing hours are at 8:00 PM.

Red Rock Canyon is just 15 miles west of Las Vegas, so plan a day-trip from Sin City with round trip transportation included!