Red Rock Canyon Back Country Byway

The Red Rock Canyon Back Country Byway is a 13-mile Type I, one-way paved scenic drive through Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, approximately 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip. The route can be traveled by a passenger car and takes about one hour without extended stops. Pullouts and trailheads provide views and access to the Calico Hills, Sandstone Quarry, Keystone Thrust, Willow Spring, Ice Box Canyon, Pine Creek Canyon, and towering sandstone cliffs rising as much as 2,000 feet above the valley. Desert springs support oasis environments, while rock art, agave roasting pits, a historic sandstone quarry, and pioneer sites reflect the area's cultural history. Visitors may also see desert bighorn sheep and other Mojave Desert wildlife. The visitor center near the entrance offers exhibits and trip-planning information. An entry fee applies, and timed entry reservations are required from October 1 through May 31 for entry between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.