Where to Stay Near Red Rock Canyon, Nevada

Lodging in Las Vegas

Visitors can base themselves in Las Vegas, with the conservation area 17 miles west of the Strip. Most hotels are located on the Strip, and the drive from there to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is about 30 minutes.

Las Vegas is famous for its luxurious and large casino-hotels. The Strip, the main resort area, lies outside city limits, in the unincorporated towns of Paradise and Winchester.

Harry Reid International Airport handles international and domestic flights into the Las Vegas Valley. No public transportation reaches Red Rock Canyon. Tour buses and commercial tours may be available from visitors' hotels.

Aerial view of red and tan rock ridges and brown desert slopes, with a small group of buildings and roads on the valley floor. — Seen from above, bands of red and cream rock rise over dry brown hills beside a small cluster of buildings and roads. Photo: Murray Foubister, CC BY-SA 2.0

Red Rock Canyon Campground

Found off State Route 159 (West Charleston Boulevard), Red Rock Campground is inside the conservation area. Its address is 3293 Moenkopi Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89161.

The drive from the Las Vegas Strip to the campground is approximately 20 miles. A distance of 3 miles separates the campground from the Red Rock Scenic Drive and Visitor Center.

Every campsite at Red Rock Canyon Campground is booked online via Recreation.gov. Campsite reservations, along with scenic drive timed entry and the group picnic area, can also be made by phone at 877-444-6777.

Campsite Types at the Campground

The campground offers four kinds of sites, from standard sites to large group sites. The table sets out the number of each and what each can hold.

Campsite types at Red Rock Canyon Campground
Site type	Number of sites	Capacity per site
Individual standard	53	Up to 10 people and 2 vehicles
RV	6	1 RV and 1 vehicle
Walk-to tent	10	1 tent and 1 vehicle
Large group	7	Up to 50 people and 8 vehicles

The 6 RV sites have no hookups for electricity, propane/gas or water tank filling. Each of the 10 walk-to tent sites allows 1 tent and 1 vehicle, while each of the 7 large group sites accommodates up to 50 people and 8 vehicles.

Campground Seasons and Fire Rules

The campground's busiest camping season begins in late summer or early fall, with cooler temperatures in fall and winter. Red Rock Canyon Campground closes for the summer, from June 1 through August 31.

The campground has been scheduled to close from June 1 for the low-usage summer season. Summer visitation at the campground is low, about six percent of capacity a month.

Fire restrictions keep campfires and charcoal barbecues out of Red Rock Campground until they are lifted, usually in late September or early October.

Backcountry Camping by Permit

Backcountry camping in the La Madre Mountain Wilderness is allowed only above 6,500 feet, and a permit is required. In the Rainbow Mountain Wilderness within the conservation area, backcountry camping is allowed only above 5,000 feet, with a permit.

A backcountry camping permit can be obtained by phone at 702-515-5050.

Camping is allowed on specific trails and in designated areas of the conservation area.

Primitive camping areas with no facilities on BLM land, listed as popular, include:

Bitter Spring Back Country Byway
Gold Butte Back Country Byway
Knob Hill
Virgin Mountains
Christmas Tree Pass
Logandale Trails System

Reaching Lodging Areas and Parking

Activities for ride share users are limited to the visitor center and the hiking trails that start there. Travellers coming from State Route 160, also called Blue Diamond Road, cover 10.5 miles heading east on SR 159, or Charleston Boulevard, to finish the trip.

Parking at Red Spring Picnic Area needs no fee or reservation, and the lot is likely to fill up on busy days. Commercial buses, motorcoaches and vans are required to book timed-entry reservations through Recreation.gov.

Guided Tours and Activities

Tours and activities

Questions About Staying Near Red Rock Canyon

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors stay in Las Vegas?

Yes. The conservation area is 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip, and visitors can stay in Las Vegas. Most hotels are located on the Strip, about 30 minutes from the conservation area.

What types of campsite does Red Rock Canyon Campground have?

It has 53 individual standard sites, 6 RV sites, 10 walk-to tent sites and 7 large group sites. The RV sites have no hookups for electricity, propane/gas or water tank filling.

How are campsites reserved?

All campsites must be reserved online through Recreation.gov. Reservations can also be made by phone at 877-444-6777.

When is the campground closed?

It is closed from June 1 to August 31. Its busiest season begins in late summer or early fall.

Where is backcountry camping allowed?

In the La Madre Mountain Wilderness it is allowed only above 6,500 feet, and in the Rainbow Mountain Wilderness only above 5,000 feet. A permit is required, available by phone at 702-515-5050.

Are campfires allowed at Red Rock Campground?

Campfires and charcoal barbecues are prohibited until fire restrictions are lifted, usually in late September or early October.

Does public transportation serve the canyon?

Public transportation does not reach Red Rock Canyon. Tour buses and commercial tours may be available from visitors' hotels.

Where to Stay Near Red Rock Canyon