Red Rock Canyon is a great way to experience running in the Mojave Desert, only 17 miles from the Strip. It’s a great running destination if you have the time — and a car. This 185,000 acre National Conservation Area, run by the Bureau of Land Management, has 30 miles of trails, dirt roads, (many of them run-able), and a 13-mile Scenic Drive loop. There are beautiful views, and the light hitting the rocks, especially early or late in the day, is a sight to see. Your best bet is to park and choose a section of the loop road, or one of the trails. Pro Tip: Try to catch Red Rock Canyon during a wildflower bloom. See our ‘Desert Blooms‘ List for info & annual calendars. NOTE: Restrooms, but few other facilities once inside the park. Bring water. This is a great running destination if you have the time — and a car.
Road Running Options in Red Rock Canyon
Choose all or a section of the 13 mile Scenic Drive Loop. It’s a one-way road, and even though there’s no sidewalk or shoulder, it’s wide enough to be safe for running. There are lovely views the whole way. Also restrooms and spots to pop off the road and explore one of the trails. You can start from the Visitor Center or access a section of the Scenic Drive from one of the other access/parking areas off the road. If running in a counterclockwise direction, the eastern 5 miles of the Drive is a steady uphill, climbing ~1,000 feet. The western side is mainly down. NOTE: If running the full loop (a good half!), there’s a 2 mile section along Highway 159 (decent shoulder, safe for running).
Trail Running Options In Red Rock Canyon
This page has detailed information on the trail running options. Easiest trail run is the 2-mile Oak Creek Canyon loop. Nice desert & wildflower views. The 4.4-mile White Rock Loop is popular, and rated moderate, with a 200-foot elevation gain. The 11-mile Grand Circle Loop is a popular, but challenging trail run, gaining 1,100 feet.
Red Rock Canyon is a great way to experience running in the Mojave Desert, only 17 miles from the Strip. It’s a great running destination if you have the time — and a car. This 185,000 acre National Conservation Area, run by the Bureau of Land Management, has 30 miles of trails, dirt roads, (many of them run-able), and a 13-mile Scenic Drive loop. There are beautiful views, and the light hitting the rocks, especially early or late in the day, is a sight to see. Your best bet is to park and choose a section of the loop road, or one of the trails. Pro Tip: Try to catch Red Rock Canyon during a wildflower bloom. See our ‘Desert Blooms‘ List for info & annual calendars. NOTE: Restrooms, but few other facilities once inside the park. Bring water. This is a great running destination if you have the time — and a car.
Road Running Options in Red Rock Canyon
Choose all or a section of the 13 mile Scenic Drive Loop. It’s a one-way road, and even though there’s no sidewalk or shoulder, it’s wide enough to be safe for running. There are lovely views the whole way. Also restrooms and spots to pop off the road and explore one of the trails. You can start from the Visitor Center or access a section of the Scenic Drive from one of the other access/parking areas off the road. If running in a counterclockwise direction, the eastern 5 miles of the Drive is a steady uphill, climbing ~1,000 feet. The western side is mainly down. NOTE: If running the full loop (a good half!), there’s a 2 mile section along Highway 159 (decent shoulder, safe for running).
Trail Running Options In Red Rock Canyon
This page has detailed information on the trail running options. Easiest trail run is the 2-mile Oak Creek Canyon loop. Nice desert & wildflower views. The 4.4-mile White Rock Loop is popular, and rated moderate, with a 200-foot elevation gain. The 11-mile Grand Circle Loop is a popular, but challenging trail run, gaining 1,100 feet.
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!