Red Rock Canyon Tours
Commercial tours, reservations and the seasons around them
Kinds of tours and the seasons around them
Visitors looking for organised trips may find commercial tours and tour buses departing from hotels in Las Vegas, while public transportation does not go to the canyon. Commercial buses, motorcoaches and vans need timed-entry reservations made through Recreation.gov, and an additional $5 per person, not counting the driver, is charged when they arrive.
A 13-mile (21 km) one-way scenic loop road gives vehicles access to many features of the area. Bicycle touring is a popular use of the loop road, with a moderate climb at the start and mostly downhill or flat riding after that. Horseback riding is limited to specific trails and designated areas, and all-terrain vehicles are banned throughout the conservation area.
The Scenic Drive requires a timed entry booking for entry between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the period October 1 to May 31. Opening hours on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day run only from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m.
| Activity | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extremely hot summer months in Las Vegas | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | JunRuns | JulRuns | AugRuns | SepRuns | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Monsoon storms potentially affecting Las Vegas | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | JulRuns | AugRuns | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Pacific storms delivering most Mojave Desert precipitation | JanRuns | FebRuns | MarRuns | AprRuns | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | NovRuns | DecRuns |
- Runs
Check dates and prices
Weather through the year
Temperatures at Red Rock Canyon in summer can routinely exceed 105 °F (41 °C), and June through September are the extremely hot summer months in Las Vegas. Flash flooding and lightning from thunderstorms are among the backcountry risks at the canyon.
| Marker | What is stated |
|---|---|
| December | The coolest and cloudiest month in Las Vegas, with an average daytime high of 56.9 °F (13.8 °C) |
| Winter nights | Las Vegas records freezing temperatures on an average of 10 nights per winter |
| Early spring | Waterfalls may be seen at the edges of the canyons, depending on precipitation |
| November to April | Pacific storms moving east bring most Mojave Desert precipitation |
| February | The wettest month in Las Vegas, averaging only four days of measurable rain |
| Yearly total | Las Vegas averages 4.2 inches (110 mm) of rainfall per year |
Services, camping and access
Charleston Boulevard and Desert Foothills Drive, 4.5 miles northeast of the visitor center, is where the closest restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations and banks are found. Phone signal across the conservation area cannot be relied on. The Red Spring Picnic Area has a boardwalk, fully accessible, running 0.6 miles (1 km).
Individual campsites cost $25 a night and group sites $80 a night. Dispersed camping off Lovell Canyon Road remains available all year while spots last, whereas the campground shuts from June 1 to August 31.
Tours and activities listings
Tours and activities
Questions about tours
Can Red Rock Canyon be reached by public transportation?
No. Public transportation does not reach the canyon, though tour buses and commercial tours may be available from hotels in Las Vegas.
What reservations do commercial buses and vans need?
Commercial buses, motorcoaches and vans must book timed entry through Recreation.gov. An extra $5 per person, excluding the driver, is paid on arrival.
When is a timed entry reservation required for the Scenic Drive?
The requirement applies from October 1 to May 31 for entry between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. On Thanksgiving and Christmas Day the drive is open only from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Are bicycles, horses and ATVs allowed?
Bicycle touring is a popular use of the scenic loop road, which begins with a moderate climb and is then mostly downhill or flat. Horseback riding is allowed only on specific trails and in designated areas. ATVs are banned in the conservation area.
Which months are extremely hot in Las Vegas?
June through September are the extremely hot summer months in Las Vegas, and summer temperatures at Red Rock Canyon can routinely exceed 105 °F (41 °C).
Is mobile phone coverage reliable in the conservation area?
No. Coverage across the conservation area is unreliable.