Little Red Rock – An Enjoyable and Lesser-Known Substitute for Red Rock Canyon

In this week's newsletter, we'll be diving into ‘Little Red Rock’ . True to its name, this location resembles a miniature version of Red Rock Canyon Here are some reasons you might opt for the smaller alternatives:

1. Red Rock Canyon has been shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. It’s a busy weekend, and the thought of waiting in a long line to enter Red Rock Canyon isn’t appealing.
3. You’d prefer to avoid the throngs of people and the scramble for parking at Red Rock Canyon.
4. You wish to avoid the entry fees associated with Red Rock Canyon.

Let me first describe the location of Little Red Rock. This map highlights the western part of Las Vegas. To reach Red Rock Canyon, you'd follow Charleston Blvd westward. Approximately five miles past the 215 Beltway, you'll find the access road on your right.

As depicted in the map, Little Red Rock is northeast of Red Rock Canyon . The simplest route to reach it is from the west end of Far Hills Avenue, which concludes at a construction area. Despite the intimidating 'no trespassing' signs, many people find it common to park there and traverse through the construction site to hike or bike in the adjacent areas. Navigating through the construction may prove more challenging on weekdays. If the construction site seems dubious, consider alternative routes from the west end of Alta or Summerlin Parkway.

Wherever you venture out of the urban area, dirt paths lead towards Little Red Rock. If you opt for a vehicle, a four-wheel drive is advisable, though a basic pickup truck should suffice for most of the journey. I would estimate the accessibility of Little Red Rock as follows:

Foot: 65%

Mountain Bike: 20%

Motorcycle: 10%

Car: 5%

Little Red Rock comprises several sandstone formations emerging from the desert landscape, creating wonderful views and opportunities for climbing. If you're hiking, I recommend setting aside 2 to 3 hours solely for walking to the formations and back. Once you arrive, I believe a picture speaks a thousand words; let me share some snapshots from my experience there last Sunday.

Looking west.

Petroglyphs

This is the most prominent formation. Take a look at the two climbers on the right side, while Las Vegas looms in the distance.

Here are additional petroglyphs. I've always been curious about their meanings.

Here’s a rather unflattering image of me. I've decided to stop cutting my hair and shaving until life returns to normalcy.

Lastly, here is a picture of a gila monster that I encountered at Little Red Rock alongside my brother on my 50th birthday, five years ago. For those unfamiliar with the Mohave Desert , spotting a gila monster is an exceedingly rare occurrence.

Until next week's edition, I encourage you to use your leisure time to venture outdoors, while keeping a safe distance from crowds.

Written by: Michael Shackleford