Red Rock Canyon

Red Rock Canyon is in part a narrow valley situated around 15 miles west of downtown Las Vegas. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (NCA) extends from just north of Mt. Potosi to the northern face of the Spring Mountains. Red Rock Canyon is close to downtown and the tourist areas and borders the western suburbs of Las Vegas. 'Red Rock' as it is known to the locals, gets its name from the red colored sandstone formation embedded in the mountains that form the western and northern margins of this small valley. Red colored layers of sandstone streak horizontally across mountains known as the Wilson Cliffs and can be seen from almost anywhere in Las Vegas valley.

While most of the Wilson Cliffs are visible from the Las Vegas Valley, much of Red Rock Canyon is nestled below them and out of sight from theIce Box Canyon city of Las Vegas. The red sandstone that makes Red Rock so unique, is part of the same geologic formation, the Navaho Formation, that is found in the Valley of Fire, Zion National Park and throughout many parts of the southwestern United States and southern Nevada. The contrast of red sandstone layered through gray limestone is impressive against the tall sheer cliff faces of - as high as - 600 meters or about 1,800 feet.

The structure of valley that Red Rock forms, is typical of the Great Basin north-south orientation found throughout Nevada and many parts of the Southwest.

The mountains that make up the western edge of Red Rock the Wilson Cliffs, are formed by several mountains, Bridge Point, Bridge Mountain, Rainbow Mountain, Mount Wilson, Indecision Peak and Sandstone Mountain.

On the north part of this small valley is the BLM Scenic Drive and Visitor Center. To most visitors this is the area thought of as Red Rock Canyon Las Vegas.

The eastern boundary of this valley consists of a series of low hills collectively known as Blue Diamond Hill. Between these mountains and hills is the valley that State Highway 159 runs through. From Highway 159, you can drive though the entire valley that Red Rock occupies.

In the southern part of the valley is Blue Diamond a mining community. This small hamlet is a great place to live because it is close to Las Vegas but is also in Red Rock.

There are a lot of things to do in Red Rock Canyon. If you like to hike, take spectacular pictures or if you want to learn more about the desert, plan to spend some time here. Red Rock Canyon has a lot to offer. Horseback riding at Bonnie Springs Ranch, picnicking at places like Willow Springs and rock climbing are very popular.