THE 10 BEST Las Vegas Hiking Trails
Hiking Trails in Las Vegas
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- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
Canyons • Hiking Trails
Hiking Trails • Hot Springs & Geysers
Hiking Trails
Hiking Trails
Hiking Trails
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails
Hiking Trails
What travellers are saying
- James W1 contributionMy oldest granddaughter & I love to hike with our pups; this trail is more of a long walk than a hike, but is well worth it. The trail is very well maintained and, leaving from the Lake Mead trailhead, is only a slight incline. As usual, we took our husky's and noticed several other people brought theirs as well. This is a very popular trail and we crossed paths with many people, ranging from young families with children in strollers to elderly couples to people jogging and on bikes. The views and tunnels are amazing and there is a small rest area after the 5th tunnel where we stopped and had a nice picnic lunch.Written 14 January 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- mika12345Calgary, Canada10 contributionsWhen trail reports said it is a hard hike I didn't believe it.
It was definitely a challenging hike. You cannot get down and up without using ropes.
We did scrape ourselves up a bit on the rock so I would recommend wearing gloves, long sleeves and pants for the ropes. Hot springs were awesome.Written 13 December 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - DonatoLas Vegas, NV4 contributionsMy wife and I did this hike several years ago, but this time we brought our 3 small dogs and 2 children, age 3 and 17. It was harder than I remember on the way up, but we just took our time and took breaks whenever the kids or dogs needed it and made it up just fine. That would be my #1 recommendation - take your time & go at your own pace!
What to bring:
FLUIDS: We each brought a 32 oz. Hydroflask full of water, plus a few Gatorades to share. I think just the 32 oz of water would not be enough on its own, especially during the summer months.
FOOD: We brought a few protein bars which was plenty. However, there is plenty of room to set up a little picnic up at the falls and have sandwich or fruit or something fun.
CLOTHING: My son and I wore our Salomon hiking boots while my daughter and wife wore Hoka running shoes - they held up decently, but I would recommend hiking boots/shoes of some kind as the path has loose rocks in spots and the additional support would be helpful. Also if you plan on going under the waterfall or getting wet at all, be aware that hiking back down the trail in wet shoes/socks won't be fun, so plan accordingly. We went in July so I was fine in a T-Shirt and shorts, but you might want a long-sleeve in the fall/winter months.
OVERALL: The view from the falls is fantastic and the water was cool and refreshing to splash on our faces after a challenging hike through switchbacks up the mountain. Our 3-year old is a trooper and there were some other young kids on this hike, but it is not the easiest hike for youngins with its uphill climb and loose rocks along the way. However if you go at your own pace and grab a few snacks along the way, you'll have a great time! The trail is very dog-friendly - we saw dogs of all shapes and sizes along the trail - ours are smaller dogs and we carried them for a few of the more difficult sections of the trail but other than that they did the entire trail and had a great time!Written 6 July 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Travel_Addict_CyprusMichigan1,143 contributionsThis trail is highly recommended to those who are hikers and in good physical shape.
If you are visiting Red Rock Canyon, make sure to first go on Recreation.gov and book a timed entry into the park. You get free entry with America the Beautiful.
The trailhead is the 3rd stop after the Visitor Center, on the Scenic Loop, and is very busy - you may have to wait a bit for a parking spot.
The trail is short, only 2.5m RT, but we found it moderately challenging since you have to do some rock scrambling and hike on sleek rock, on very rocky paths at times. It took us close to 3 hrs to complete, but i take lots of photos, and we did go further than the Calico Tank, we climbed the hill to the right side, where there's a narrow rocky trail to an outcrop/ledge with amazing views!
We loved this trail!Written 10 January 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - KenOrient, Ohio298 contributionsGreat escape from the summer heat in Las Vegas. Not a bad drive and beautiful scenery along the way...and a 30 degree temperature drop from the desert below. Well maintained hiking trail and cool rock formations, spectacular cliffs, impressive trees and amazing views. And a great workout, up the trail. Pretty easy trek back down.Written 19 February 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- heckfyPleasanton, California1,234 contributionsThis is one of the best "undeveloped" natural attractions in the area ... It's a relatively easy 3 miles hike from a parking lot through some beautiful western scenery, then there is a cascade of natural (well, improved with some sand bags) hot tubs right in the canyon and it's a short walk to the river.
The place has everything to be enjoyable - plenty of clean natural hot water, beautiful views, a good trail. But also luckily there are some minor obstacles:
- It's seasonal. It gets too hot in summer, so limited to the cold months.
- No facilities. No change rooms, lockers, showers, lunch tables etc
- Brain eating amoeba! Google it and decide yourself.
I think if it were just a bit more convenient - that place would become just overcrowded and ruined. And now it has that fragile balance of being enjoyed but not over exploited.Written 4 December 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - SeniorTravelerTFFort Atkinson1,199 contributionsLike all parks and areas, you have lots of choices of what to see and do. Because time is limited, mark this on your list as one to fit into your visit. Just 2.5 miles with minimal elevation and, like all facilities in the RRCA, extremely well maintained In spring we crossed a stream, which was an unexpected treat. Because you head into a valley note that sunlight ends early so leave enough time for daylight or take lighting. There are short parts of the trail with rocky footing, but just enough to slow you down and not physically challenging. Check the website for timed entry, increasingly used in national recreation facilities. There is a minimal vehicle entry fee which is covered if you have the national annual pass.Written 15 May 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Thomas SimsLas Vegas, NV337 contributionsGoogle Maps got us there easily. We parked near the entrance and walked up the road. It’s about a 2-mile walk on the road. We walked a mile into the narrows and turned around. You can keep going further if you wish. It is so otherworldly in there.
Bring water and sturdy shoes. You’ll be climbing over rocks in the narrows. Nothing too difficult though. You could drive closer to the trailhead, but a high-clearance vehicle would probably be needed. Be careful doing this in the summer months.Written 26 November 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - MtEverestLas Vegas235 contributionsRemember Red Rock Canyon now requires you to make a reservation and pay an extra fee. This trail starts from the Sandstone Quarry parking lot, so it is not marked from the the main loop. On weekends be there early. If the lot is full a park ranger will move you away. Most people are there for the scenery and little climbs near the lot. Few people actually go up to Turtlehead Peak. It is not an easy climb. Takes me about 2 hours up, one hour down. Few places where your hands may come into play. Do the rest of us favor. This is not a trail for little puppies or little kids. You can't get lost but you can easily go off the main trail. And yes, you can slide down the canyon. You do a get a 360 degree view of Las Vegas and the valley at the top. But having done this a million times, for me it is just a work out.Written 24 January 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- George SMiami Beach, FL1,107 contributionsWhat “trail”??? This is the Strip!!! This is not some scenic nature walk, it is a walk down Las Vegas Boulevard which is an unmitigated dump!Written 2 June 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Thomas SimsLas Vegas, NV337 contributionsThe mileage on the sign posts seemed somewhat off. The trail gets a little murky at different spots, but we made it to the arch. Wear good shoes as there are a lot of loose rocks on some parts of the trail. Bring lots of water if you go during the hot months. You can continue on to the Colorado River Overlook. So worth it.Written 5 December 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Saiki TNew Castle, IN31 contributions25 miles past the South Rims Visitor Center. Decent drive if you dont get stuck behind slow moving vehicles! Plenty of side of the road stops for additional viewing! Nice views and people!Written 31 March 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- SoCalOregonianMurrieta, CA10,390 contributionsNice area that has picnic tables, restrooms and is the trailhead for both the Petroglyph Wall Trail and the Willow Spring Loop trail, both of which are easy walks and can be done in less than 2 hours. Bring plenty of water on the walks. The picnic area has plenty of shade but be careful, as the metal tables can get hot during the day.Written 6 October 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Mike AReading, PA44 contributionsWe did a bunch of hiking while in Vegas (we are beginners but have done a lot of trail/road walking just not hiking/boulder scrambling), figured we would give this a shot, seemed, simple, 4 mile round trip up a hill and back down. Saw a review and rundown a hiking website.
Getting there is not tough, just bumpy, about 5 miles off the main highway on a very bumpy dirt/gravel road, we made it just fine in our Mazda 5 rental, 4 wheel drive is (recommended) but unless it has rained, not necessary, especially if its a rental and not your car. It's not a well traveled trail, the start is marked but that's it, don't expect a snack bar at the end.
We always start early AM and it was nice and cool (77*). Two options to start, (1) wash trail (2) ridge trail, TAKE the RIDGE TRAIL. We opted for the wash trail and honestly got a little off trail (again we are novices), we new from the review we saw before we needed to get to an outcrop of "funny rocks", not sure why they were funny because they didn't really saw anything. After about 40 min, we noticed we were about 4 washes over from the funny rocks, so we did a lot of scrambling, climbing and sliding to get back over to the correct ridge and took the ridge trail from there. It is steep going up, the ridge trail is gravel and rock, not maintained but much easier to spot than going the wash route. We continued up to another boulder at the base of the cliffs, from there you skirt along the cliffs to a small climb and then the summit, we where short on time so we turned around at the boulder. The boulder is exactly 1/2 way up the trail at 1 mile, another mile to the summit.
Ratings for trails are always subjective to the rater, we saw this one rated "moderately difficult" and we would agree, not a lot of climbing over boulders and such but steep and rocky.
A good trek if you're not in a hurry.
As a bonus on the way out saw a family of big horn sheep relaxing in the early morning sun (dad, mom and 2 kids) and also saw a wild mule, we named him Ralph, he may be wild but I don't think he was a stranger to cars, he walked right over to use and gladly ate an apple right out of my hand.Written 10 July 2015This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Tim E585 contributionsIt was perfect weather for a hike.
I hike to Mary Jane Falls and on the way back down I walk an scrambled up the wash to Big falls and the water was flowing well from the snow melt. And walk over to the cave at Mary Jane Falls.Written 21 May 2016This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Las Vegas
- These experiences are best for hiking trails in Las Vegas:
- Valley of Fire Hiking Tour from Las Vegas
- Red Rock Canyon Hiking Tour
- Zion and Bryce Canyon Small Group Tour from Las Vegas
- Small Group Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and 7 Magic Mountains Tour
- Zion and Bryce Canyon National Park Small group tour from Las Vegas
- These places are best for hiking trails in Las Vegas:
- Historic Railroad Trail
- Mary Jane Falls Trail
- Gold Strike Canyon Hot Springs
- Calico Tanks Trail
- Arizona Hot Springs
- These are the best places for couples seeking hiking trails in Las Vegas:
- Historic Railroad Trail
- Gold Strike Canyon Hot Springs
- Mary Jane Falls Trail
- Calico Tanks Trail
- Arizona Hot Springs
- These are the best places for budget-friendly hiking trails in Las Vegas:
- Historic Railroad Trail
- Gold Strike Canyon Hot Springs
- Mary Jane Falls Trail
- Calico Tanks Trail
- Cathedral Rock Trail
- These are the best places for adventurous hiking trails in Las Vegas:See more adventurous hiking trails in Las Vegas on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for adrenaline seekers looking for hiking trails in Las Vegas:See more hiking trails for adrenaline seekers in Las Vegas on Tripadvisor