04/18/2025
While on a recent trip to Las Vegas, Nevada, Shawna and I decided to take in some of the more natural landscape. You know how much we love to hike and experience new things, and I couldn’t pass up a chance to see the desert and some of the local wildflowers that grow there. I was shocked by its beauty, partly due to my lack of experience in western desert terrain.
Las Vegas is surrounded by desert, and it doesn’t take that long of a drive to get outside of the city. Situated about 30 minutes west of downtown is the Red Rocks Canyon National Conservation Area. Here, you can get a taste of the desert, its life and flora, and the mountains surrounding Las Vegas.
We received two recommendations for hiking in this area, and our Uber driver the previous day specifically recommended a hike along the First Creek Trail. The trailhead is along SR 159, and there is a map of this short hike at the start. Parking is along the road, and I hear it can get crowded during the peak months. Fortunately, it wasn’t for us, and we found plenty of spots available. Just to let you know, there are several trailheads for similar trails along this road, with similar hikes. This trailhead is right next to Spring Mountain Ranch State Park.
Maps for the area can be downloaded from the Bureau of Land Management site. The following screenshots show what is available. The park spans a much larger area than we explored, but most of the shorter trails are in this area along SR 159. We did not do the Scenic Drive, as we wanted to hike, but judging from what we saw, it must be a stunning drive. The trail we did was the First Creek Canyon trail. It can get crowded during the peak season, but it wasn’t too bad when we were there. Other similar trails are nearby along SR 159 if it’s too crowded.
The desert can be brutal at times, with hot, dry heat and gusty winds, making the sun seem less hot. This day was in the 70s and windy, and at times, a little chilly when the breeze blew. Make sure to bring proper clothes, sunscreen, and plenty of water. I also recommend boots, as the trail can be rocky and a little challenging in places. Most of all, though, it’s a simple hike and pretty flat.
The First Creek Trail trailhead is marked with a sign, a map, a trash can, and a gate. The gate prevents wild horses from crossing the road. We didn’t see any horses.
The trail can be considered rugged, but doesn’t require too many steep climbs or rocks. I wore my trail running shoes, but would recommend hiking boots. There are posts marking the trail, but they can be difficult to spot sometimes. You can follow the trail on the south side of the creek all the way to the base of the mountains, where it ends at a waterfall, at least after rain.
There was a surprising array of various species of plants along the trail. I couldn’t believe how many different flowers were in bloom. All of the plants were of drought-tolerant species. The mountain runoff can provide some moisture during the rainy season, as evidenced by the creek that runs along the trail. Most of my skills at identifying plants are from the Midwest and eastern US, so these drought-tolerant, desert species are new to me. However, several are similar to some of the summer prairie flowers we see in Ohio.
We followed the most obvious trail, sometimes marked with rocks. However, there were sometimes side trails. Just follow the top of the ravine on the south side of the stream.
This area is vast, and sometimes, something may seem closer than it is. Be cautious about going off trail in places like this. You may get turned around, and sometimes, one direction can look the same as another.
Water runs through this ravine. I’ve heard that flash floods are common here if it rains up on the mountain and not in the valley. You may get caught off guard, so be aware of that. Judging by the size of some of the rounded boulders, a lot of water can flow through here occasionally.
We needed this hike. The hustle and bustle of the city of Las Vegas can seem overwhelming and repetitive at times. We also needed some sun, as Ohio was still having some cold days and hadn’t hit consistent warm weather yet. However, even though it was in the 70s, the wind was chilly, requiring a second layer on us. Plus, it helped protect us from the sun, which can really burn you here, especially if you can’t feel the heat due to a breeze.
The mountain is rugged and very steep. Some nearby trails can take you up top; however, they should only be attempted by experienced hikers with proper gear, as they are rugged, dry, and involve a steep climb. There was even snow on the peak of the tallest mountain, Mount Charleston.
The rocky cliffs here are a well-known destination for climbers. We saw several groups on their way to and from the trailhead. The crevasses are wide enough to get grips into. Proper gear and experience are required for these activities.
We finally made it to the base of the mountains, where the trail ends. We didn’t see any waterfalls—in fact, we only saw a little bit of water in pools in the stream bed. But there is plenty more to take in here, like the mountains and the wildflowers.
I recommend hiking at least one Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area trail. For details on the various trails, refer to the BLM site below or Google Maps. Make sure that you go prepared, especially with water. And always leave everything as you found it.
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