Outdoors Red Rock Canyon
Calico Basin
An outdoor spot in Red Rock Canyon, free to visit and worth about an hour. Best time to go: Morning.
Why go
Area just outside the Scenic Drive with the Red Spring boardwalk and sandstone walls; no timed entry needed.
It is one of 6 curated places we feature in Red Rock Canyon, alongside 3 outdoor spots, 1 place to eat and 1 sight. The closest of our other picks is Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive, 1.1 mi away as the crow flies.
- Type
- Outdoors · Nature
- Price
- Free
- Time needed
- 1 hr
- Best time
- Morning
Nearby
Our closest curated picks, including 2 beyond Red Rock Canyon. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.
- 1Red 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.
Outdoors · 1.1 mi straight-line - 2Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
13-mile scenic drive past red sandstone cliffs, with short hikes like Calico Tanks.
Outdoors · Las Vegas · 1.1 mi straight-line - 3Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center
BLM visitor center at the start of the Scenic Drive, with desert exhibits and an outdoor tortoise habitat.
Sight · 1.1 mi straight-line - 4Calico 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.
Outdoors · 1.9 mi straight-line - 5Spring 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.
Outdoors · 5.8 mi straight-line - 6Herbs & Rye
Off-Strip cocktail bar with a history-organized drinks menu and half-price steaks at happy hour.
Drinks · Las Vegas · 13 mi straight-line
On these curated routes
Calico Basin is a stop on our Las Vegas New Year's Eve route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.
More to do in Red Rock Canyon
Calico Basin is our only outdoors pick in Red Rock Canyon; here is what else we recommend there. See the full Red Rock Canyon guide.
When to go
Average daily highs in Red Rock Canyon run from 51°F in December to 98°F in July; February is usually the wettest month. For Calico Basin itself, we suggest: Morning.
Modelled monthly averages for Red Rock Canyon from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full Red Rock Canyon weather by month.
Getting there
Map links open a live search for Calico Basin, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.
- Coordinates
- 36.14963, -115.41973
- Destination
- Red Rock Canyon, Nevada
Calico Basin: quick answers
How much time do you need at Calico Basin?
Plan on about an hour at Calico Basin. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.
When is the best time to visit Calico Basin?
Our pick: Morning. Insider tip: The fallback if Scenic Drive reservations are gone.
Is Calico Basin free?
Yes, we list Calico Basin as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.
Which TripsCircle routes include Calico Basin?
Calico Basin appears on Las Vegas New Year's Eve, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.
Add Calico Basin to your crew's plan
Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Red Rock Canyon.
Plan Red Rock Canyon
- Red Rock Canyon travel guide 6 places
- Best time to visit Red Rock Canyon weather by month
- The Strip to Red Rock Canyon 14 mi straight-line
Lists & regions
Also in Red Rock Canyon
- Peppermill Food
Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.