Basics
- Location
- Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas, Nevada
- Season:
- All year, spring and fall are best
- Rock Type:
- Sandstone
- Hazards:
- Sandstone needs at least one day to dry before climbing is safe after rain
- Routes:
- Lifetime
Description
Red Rock Canyon is one of the most expansive climbing destinations in the west. Famous for the sheer quantity of climbs and their diversity, Red Rock unlike many other destinations, has every type of climb at every level with more routes being discovered every day.
Located just outside of the bright lights and hubbub of Las Vegas, Red Rocks is very accessible and draws lots of folks. The area is organized by its canyons not its walls like most places are and each canyon has multiple walls and formations. The access for the climbing is off of the Loop Road which has a $5 fee. The road is a 13 mile one way loop which accesses first the sport climbing areas and then curves around to the larger trad and multi-pitch areas. The main bouldering area is called Calico Basin and it is not located off of the loop road but about 2 miles before it coming from the city.
Climbing at Red Rocks can be some of the best in the west but there are a few considerations. Most of the climbs require long approaches so bring lots of water. Part of being prepared here is being prepared for the heat and the sun which are VERY strong during the summer months. Also, it’s not uncommon to have to wait for many of the sport climbs. Camping can be a hassle as there is only one campground available and it can fill up quickly and is not very private at all. camping is not allowed in any of the canyons, including those outside the loop road. Park Hours are 6:00am- 5:00pm in the Winter, 6:00pm in the Fall and Spring, and 8:00pm in the Summer.
