Less than 30-minutes drive from Las Vegas, within the Mojave Desert, sits the staggeringly beautiful Red Rock Canyon. Follow the main road and take in the multicoloured rock walls – a photograph opportunity around each bend, take a 4×4 and go off-roading into the canyons or explore one of the many hiking trails, each one offering different challenges and chance to learn more about the history of the land you walk on.
A single 13 mile (21 km) loop takes you around the park as the striped canyon slowly grows in height alongside you, drawing you into its embrace. Today, I was not taking the usual Red Rock Canyon tour that laps the park; I was buckled into one of Pink Jeep’s iconic Pink Jeep Wranglers and ready to get off the main road and into Rocky Gap, off-roading into one of the canyons.
Over the next three hours our small group – just five of us including myself – enjoyed John, our drivers, insight into the land we were passing through.
We saw desert tortoises, including the huge Mojave Max, and desert cottontails at the interactive visitors centre, learnt about how the canyons were formed, were jostled over the terrains as we went off-roading and even got to see the site of an old sandstone quarry – thankfully only lasting a few years in the early 1900’s, though evidence of their presence on the land is still able to be seen as you see the straight lines where the stone was cut along the canyon’s edge.
‘A picture says a thousand words‘ so I’m going to let mine speak and show you the beauty of Red Rock Canyon.
Now it’s over to you
What natural landscape would you most like to see?
Have you visited any of Nevada’s State Parks?
Details 
- 4-hour tour in a comfortable shuttle bus and the Pink Jeep Wrangler, with experienced driver and guide
- Complimentary water
- All fees into the park included
- Small groups (my tour had 5 people, including me!)
- Complimentary hotel pick-up and drop-off
Notes:
I recommend you bring the following items with you to ensure you have a comfortable tour;
- Water (though water is provided it’s nice to have your own)
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Closed toe shoes, preferably sneakers or similar
- Poncho/Rain jacket/Waterproof/Jacket – just in case there is rain/you are cold
- Your camera!
This particular tour – the Rocky Gap Adventure – is not recommended for mobility impaired, those who experience extreme motion sickness or those who are pregnant. The Red Rock Canyon Classic Tour may be a better option for you.
Planning your own trip to Las Vegas?
Is Las Vegas Only For Gamblers?
5 Must See Las Vegas Shows on the Strip
A Helicopter Tour of the Grand Canyon
Aria Sky Suites: The Ultimate in Las Vegas Luxury
7 Reasons I LOVED the Vdara Hotel & Spa, Las Vegas
My trip to the USA was arranged by Discover America.
Many thanks to Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and Pink Jeep Tours for hosting me.
All thoughts and opinions are, as always, my own.
19 Comments
De'Jav
October 7, 2014 at 9:37 pmLooks like an awesome time. I’d like to visit Yellow stone and the Grand canyon.
Nicole
October 14, 2014 at 4:39 amI would love to visit Yellow Stone as well!
Hope you make it to either parks soon. 🙂
Stacey
October 7, 2014 at 11:09 pmGreat photos, thank you for sharing!
Nicole
October 14, 2014 at 4:38 amA pleasure Stacey!
Katherine
October 8, 2014 at 11:11 amWow stunning scenery. And how cute are those pink jeeps!! Looks like a great trip.
Nicole
October 14, 2014 at 4:36 amWas a great trip, Katherine!
I can totally see you cruising around Vegas in one of them! 😉
Anna
October 10, 2014 at 2:51 pmDang your adventures are amazing. Beautiful pictures. 🙂
I’d be keen to visit pretty much any natural landscape in the world, especially if there is an opportunity to do a fly over. I haven’t been to Nevada, but its on the top end of the list.
Love that the jeep is bright pink, a traditionally masculine type tour in touch with its fem side. Very cool! 🙂
Nicole
October 14, 2014 at 4:35 amThanks Anna! 🙂
Nevada is a great place to visit if you’re a fan of landscapes.
I LOVED the Pink-ness of the jeeps! So easy to spot in the parking lot when surrounded by drab white buses and with some great creature comforts (like reclining seats!)
Hawaii and Las Vegas as seen through Instragram
October 16, 2014 at 11:29 pm[…] Red Rock Canyon had a wow-factor it was much more about the nature and history of the place, with a side of […]
rebecca
October 24, 2014 at 2:21 pmI would love to check out all the rocky canyons of the states.
Nicole
December 12, 2014 at 8:31 pmI’d love to reck out more of them as well Rebecca! 🙂
Which one is at the top of your list?
Holly O'S
October 30, 2014 at 1:30 pmThese pictures are amazing!
Nicole
December 12, 2014 at 8:19 pmThanks Holly!
Aaron Schubert
November 3, 2014 at 8:42 pmLove the pink Jeep – looks like a great place for 4WDing too! Thanks for the great post!
Nicole
December 12, 2014 at 8:20 pmThanks Aaron! Yes, Red Rock Canyon is great for 4WDing. 🙂 Hope you can make it out there soon.
Vdara Hotel & Spa: A Room With A Million Dollar View
June 5, 2015 at 6:45 pm[…] An Off-Roading Adventure in Red Rock Canyon […]
A Day At The Henley Royal Regatta
May 30, 2016 at 11:18 am[…] An Off-Roading Adventure in Red Rock Canyon […]
Aria Sky Suites: The Ultimate in Las Vegas Luxury
June 1, 2016 at 1:30 pm[…] An Off-Roading Adventure in Red Rock Canyon […]
A Helicopter Tour of the Grand Canyon - Bitten by the Travel Bug
June 13, 2016 at 11:27 pm[…] An Off-Roading Adventure in Red Rock Canyon […]