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Nevada, United States

Red Rock Canyon

Sandstone desert 30 minutes west for a clear-headed Jan 1. Below: 1 sight, 4 outdoor spots and 1 place to eat, plus how Red Rock Canyon fits into a longer trip.

Plan Red Rock Canyon with friendsBrowse 6 places
Red Rock Canyon, Nevada, United States
Places
6

1 See · 4 Outdoors · 1 Eat

Curated routes
1

Las Vegas New Year's Eve

Best season
Dec 30 – Jan 1

from our route notes

Warmest month
July

37°C / 98°F avg high

Coolest month
December

11°C / 51°F avg high

Wettest month
February

about 25 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Red Rock Canyon

6 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in Red Rock Canyon.

  • See

    Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center

    BLM visitor center at the start of the Scenic Drive, with desert exhibits and an outdoor tortoise habitat.

    Tip Confirm Jan 1 hours with the BLM before driving out.

    • Free
    • 30 min
    • Morning

Outdoors

Trails, views and open space in and around Red Rock Canyon. 2 of them are free.

  • Outdoors

    Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive

    A 13-mile one-way loop past the Calico Hills and the Keystone Thrust, with trailheads and pullouts along the way.

    Tip Timed entry is required Oct 1 to May 31 for entry between 8 am and 5 pm.

    • $
    • 2 hr
    • Morning
  • Calico Tanks Trail in Red Rock CanyonPhoto: The Cosmonaut · CC BY-SA 2.5 ca
    Outdoors

    Calico Tanks Trail

    A 2.5-mile round-trip scramble through the Calico Hills sandstone to a seasonal water tank and a view back to the Strip.

    Tip Starts at the Sandstone Quarry pullout on the Scenic Drive.

    • Free
    • 2 hr
    • Late morning
  • Outdoors

    Calico Basin

    Area just outside the Scenic Drive with the Red Spring boardwalk and sandstone walls; no timed entry needed.

    Tip The fallback if Scenic Drive reservations are gone.

    • Free
    • 60 min
    • Morning
  • Spring Mountain Ranch State Park in Red Rock CanyonPhoto: Thomas Farley · CC0
    Outdoors

    Spring Mountain Ranch State Park

    Historic ranch under the Wilson Cliffs, with a cabin, blacksmith shop and short trails; Nevada State Parks runs First Day Hikes here.

    Tip The two guided Jan 1 hikes in 2026 required reservations.

    • $
    • 1.5 hr
    • Morning

Eat

1 place to eat in North Strip, picked for groups who care about the food.

  • Peppermill in Red Rock CanyonPhoto: J.R.Ramos · CC BY-SA 2.0
    Eat

    Peppermill

    Round-the-clock Strip diner since 1972, with oversized breakfasts and a neon lounge built around a fire pit.

    Tip Open 24 hours, so it works before or after Red Rock.

    • North Strip
    • $$
    • 60 min
    • Brunch

How to fit Red Rock Canyon into a trip

Red Rock Canyon is stop 2 of 2 on our Las Vegas New Year's Eve route. Follow it as-is or lift Red Rock Canyon into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Red Rock Canyon month by month

Average daily highs run from 11°C / 51°F in December to 37°C / 98°F in July. February is the wettest month, with about 25 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Red Rock Canyon weather and the best time to visit →

Near Red Rock Canyon

8 other destinations from our guides within about 350 km (217 mi), measured in a straight line.

Red Rock Canyon questions, answered

How many days do you need in Red Rock Canyon?

On our Las Vegas New Year's Eve route it is stop 2 of 2 in a 3-day trip. Split evenly, that is about 2 days here, an estimate rather than a rule. The listed visit times for our 6 places add up to roughly 8 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Red Rock Canyon best known for?

Sandstone desert 30 minutes west for a clear-headed Jan 1. Standouts on our list: Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center (BLM visitor center at the start of the Scenic Drive, with desert exhibits and an outdoor tortoise habitat); Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive (A 13-mile one-way loop past the Calico Hills and the Keystone Thrust, with trailheads and pullouts along the way); Calico Tanks Trail (A 2.5-mile round-trip scramble through the Calico Hills sandstone to a seasonal water tank and a view back to the Strip).

When is the best time to visit Red Rock Canyon?

Our Las Vegas New Year's Eve route is best Dec 30 – Jan 1. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (37°C / 98°F), the coolest in December (11°C / 51°F) and the most rain in February (about 25 mm).

What are the best things to do in Red Rock Canyon?

Start with Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive, Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center, Calico Tanks Trail, Calico Basin and Spring Mountain Ranch State Park. Our guide lists 6 places in all, from 1 sight, 4 outdoor spots and 1 place to eat.

What is near Red Rock Canyon?

The closest destinations in our guides are The Strip (about 23 km / 14 mi), Las Vegas (about 26 km / 16 mi) and Zion (about 250 km / 155 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Red Rock Canyon with your crew

Open the Las Vegas New Year's Eve route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 6 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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