Overview

This fairly easy hike follows interconnected trails that run between the Red Rock Entrance Station and the Red Spring Picnic Area. The hike can be done in either direction, but here I describe it as starting at the Entrance Station and following the Calico Hills Trail, then following use trails to Red Spring. There are two use-trail in the middle-third of the hike, so this part can be done as a "loop." Other use-trails provide various alternatives. The scenery along this route is grand, and it gives nice, close-up views of crags and cliffs on the south end of the Calico Hills.

Link to map or elevation profile.

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about hiking in the desert, ...this is a fairly easy hike with no unusual hazards. This route is appropriate for young children.

While hiking, please respect the land and the other people out there, and try to Leave No Trace of your passage. Also, even though this hike is short, be sure to bring what you need of the 10 Essentials.

Getting to the Trailhead

This hike is located along the Scenic Loop Road in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, about 30 minutes west of Las Vegas. Drive out to Red Rocks, pay the fee, then drive forward and turn left onto the exit road and left again into the Entrance Station Trailhead behind the fee booths. Park here; this is the trailhead.

Alternatively, use the Red Spring Trailhead in Calico Basin.

The Hike

From the Entrance Station parking lot (Site 895), walk across the entrance road to the northeast corner of the 4-way intersection (as if to walk up the Scenic Loop Road). At the corner, the trailhead (Table 2, Waypoint 1) is marked by a Calico Hills Trail System sign that gives mileages to several destinations.

From the trailhead (Wpt. 01), the trail angles away from the Scenic Loop Road and runs east across a hillside to an old road (Wpt. 02). The trail turns left onto the old road and runs north towards the Calico Hills, passing a junction (Wpt. 03) with a trail that runs west to the Visitor Center. The trail continues north and climbs onto a ridge and intersects another old road (Wpt. 04).

Atop the ridge are the first views into the deep canyon along the south edge of the Calico Hills. From here (Wpt. 04), the Calico Hills Trail continues to the northwest on the old road. In the opposite direction, the old road runs southeast along the ridgeline. In addition, although hard to see, a use trail runs almost due east down the hillside into the bottom of the canyon.

The old road to the southeast and the use-trail into the canyon both lead to the Red Spring Picnic Area and provide a bit of a "loop" on the way back.

Continuing to the southeast on the old road, the route stays atop the ridge, providing good view into the canyon, up along the spine of the Calico Hills, and also south towards Blue Diamond Hill. Farther out along the old road, be sure to look across the canyon and take note of the old roads and use-trails that climb the hillside around the southeast corner of the Calico Hills, as this is where the route will eventually go.

The old road on the ridgeline can be followed until it runs under powerlines and turns north to drop steeply into the canyon, but an easier use-trail cuts off the ridgeline (Wpt. 05) and drops at a more moderate rate to intersect the old road about halfway down the hillside (Wpt. 06).

Continuing down the hillside on the old road, the route quickly arrives at a T-intersection (Wpt. 07) with an old road that runs up the canyon. Turning to the left and hiking west into the bottom of the canyon, the route crosses the wash and immediately turns north onto another old road (Wpt. 08) and starts to climb out of the canyon.

About halfway up the hillside (Wpt. 09), a use trail angles off and down to the west. On the way back, this is the start of the "loop."

Continuing up the hillside, the route reaches the top of the ridge (Wpt. 10) with great view north into the Red Spring area and out across Calico Basin to Craft and other mountains in the distance. A short use trail leads east to a highpoint with great views.

Crossing the ridgeline and continuing down the steep hillside on a broad road scar, the trail reached the flats below and a trail junction (Wpt. 11) that leads through a gate and onto the Red Spring Boardwalk.

Continuing, the use-trail runs around the outside of the fenced boardwalk area and down into the Red Spring Picnic Area (Wpt. 12).

At Red Spring, sit in the shade, listen to the birds in the trees, use the restroom, and relax a bit. When ready to hike back the the Entrance Station, consider starting out on the Red Spring Boardwalk Trail. On the south end of the boardwalk near Red Spring, a spur leads to a gate. Be sure to close the gate to prevent wild burros from getting in an trampling rare plants growing in the meadow.

Just beyond the gate, the route follows the old road scar up the hillside to the top of the ridge (Wpt. 10). Several use trails cut off into the boulders, but it is easier to stay on the old road, bending to the right near the top of the ridge.

Hiking down the south side of the ridge, several use-trail cut off to the right. All of these trail lead to the huge boulders in the bottom of the canyon, but it is easier to stay on the old road as it runs down and left, and then bends back to the right. A bit past the bend (about 70 ft), a use-trail crosses the old road (Wpt. 09).

Turn to the right and follow the use-trail down and across the hillside staying to the left (east) of the huge boulders. This area is crisscrossed by use trails, but find your way across the wash (Wpt. 13) to the one trail on the south side of the wash.

On the south side of the wash, the trail runs upstream along the base of the hillside. Through here, there are great views looking up at the towering red and white cliffs of the Calico Hills. At a trail junction (Wpt. 14), the route continues on the south side of the wash and starts climbing out towards the top of the ridge, eventually reaching the Calico Hills Trail (Wpt. 04).

From there, follow the Calico Hills Trail back to the Entrance Station, which can be seen in the distance.