Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and located 17 miles west of Las Vegas, encompasses 195,819 acres of striking geology and distinct Mohave Desert flora and fauna. Tourists and locals flock to Red Rock Canyon for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, picnicking and rock climbing. Camping is available within the park at one first-come, first-served developed campground or in the backcountry.
Location
Red Rock Canyon Campground is located on Moenkapi Road, two miles west of the visitor center and the 13-mile scenic drive entrance on West Charleston Boulevard/State Route 159. During camping season, the campground is open 24 hours a day. Check-in is done via a self-registration kiosk, but a campground host is available to offer assistance and answer questions.
Seasons
The Red Rock Canyon Campground is open from early October through early June, with the exact dates varying from year to year. It is busiest during the fall and spring, when the weather is warm to cool. The campground usually fills up on Thanksgiving weekend and over the Christmas holiday. Reservations are not available.
Individual Campsites
The campground is equipped with vault toilets and spigots with running water. There are no showers, RV hook-ups or dump stations. There is also no shade. Campers in the 71 individual sites are restricted to nine people and two vehicles per campsite, with a maximum of 14 days of camping in a 28-day period. The sites accommodate tents and RVs. Quiet hours, which includes generator use, are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Group Campsites
The seven group campsites are for tent-groups only and accommodate 10 to 20 people and up to eight vehicles. Vault toilets and water spigots are available. Reservations for group sites are available through the BLM.
Pets
Pets are permitted in the Red Rock Canyon Campground, but they must be leased and attended at all times. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets and keeping them quiet during quiet hours.
Backcountry Camping
The Bureau of Land Management permits backcountry camping in areas above 5,000 feet of elevation. Water is difficult to come by in the dry, remote area, and ground fires are not permitted. Backcountry campers must possess a permit, which can be obtained through the BLM.
Weather
Part of the Mohave Desert, Red Rock Canyon enjoys an average of 294 days of sunshine per year and an average rainfall of just 4.13 inches per year, according to the BLM. The summer months are very hot, with an average July high temperature of 104 degrees. It is surprisingly cool in the winter months; January's average high is 56 degrees and the average low is 32 degrees.
Member Comments