Our colorful canyon is just minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. Southern Nevada Conservancy serves
#RedRockCanyon
w/ on-site staff, bookstore, ed programs, & more
Visitors to
#RedRockCanyon
experienced a rare treat today- a
#Gilamonster
enjoying a little shade in the Visitor Center’s outdoor exhibits. The only venomous lizard in the US, these large and colorful creatures normally keep to themselves in quieter parts of the canyon.
Visitors got a rare treat today- a spectacular ephemeral waterfall! Remember, monsoon rains can cause flash flooding, so avoid washes, slot canyons, & gulleys. It’s much safer to enjoy these rains from afar!
⛈
#redrockcanyon
#flashflood
#waterfall
#turnarounddontdrown
*Update: the Scenic Drive is now open, however we are experiencing extremely high visitation. Be prepared for a long wait at the entrance if you come out today!
Spring may have sprung early here at Red Rock Canyon: Desert tortoises tend to be a harbinger of warm weather to come, and take a look at who emerged from her burrow today at 11:30am- by her markings, it looks like Shelby!
The clouds are certainly putting on a show already today! Winds are howling this morning sustaining at 50 mph, with gusts up to 75 mph. 50 degrees. Sprinkles here and there but the Scenic Drive is open so bundle up if you’re headed out 🌬️
📷 C Trump
It’s another cold, rainy day in the Canyon… the kind where it’s nice to sit with a warm cup of coffee, gazing out into the gray, nodding, and saying “we needed this” ☕️
Due to the high likelihood of ice in the morning, we anticipate a late opening on Friday. The Scenic Drive will open as soon as it is safe for both staff and our visitors, so check back after 8am!
With the lifting of public health and safety restrictions enacted by Nevada officials, the Bureau of Land Management today announced that beginning June 1, 2020 it is increasing recreational access at Red Rock and Sloan Canyon National Conservation Areas.
Details in bio link.
*10:45am update: we retract our calm morning message as flooding is active & the
#ScenicDrive
is closing until it is safe to reopen, when just an hour ago we had sunshine and a
#doublerainbow
- that’s
#spring
in the
#MojaveDesert
!
The Scenic Drive is closed temporarily until snow and ice are cleared from the road. Please use caution if driving SR 159 as well. We can’t see the red cliffs, but we’re excited to see how much snow sticks when the weather clears!
An important message from our spokesburro, Jackson the Red Rock Canyon Burro:
My wild cousins should be the only groups gathered on trails. I hope the humans are working to keep safe distances and avoiding close interaction with each other & the wildlife!
The Scenic Loop and Visitor Center are open today- it’s chilly but gorgeous!
❤️ If you are planning to visit, be sure to check out our event calendar and join us for a program!
📷 S. Vanlancker
Heads up- Opening is delayed this morning, Thursday March 2, for the Scenic Drive due to ice on the road causing unsafe driving conditions. If weather allows, it will open midday like yesterday.
We’ve seen quite a few rattlesnakes hanging around Red Rock’s Visitor Center as it warms up, like this Panamint rattlesnake. Avoid a surprise encounter with
#dangernoodles
:
🐍be aware of surroundings, including the path ahead
🐍never put hands/feet in places where you can’t see!
It’s official, the
#RedRockCanyon
#ScenicDrive
is closed for the rest of this snowy afternoon. Hopefully we can reopen tomorrow, but there may be a delay if there is ice and snow still on the drive in the morning.
It’s a cold, rainy day in the Canyon today so enjoy Lost Creek’s temporary waterfall from the dry comfort of indoors!
#redrockcanyon
#lasvegas
📷 C. Trump
What a wonderful way to start the weekend! The desert floor has been well hydrated, but now that the weather is warming up make sure you are too. If you forget to bring water, water & reusable bottles are sold in the gift shop w/ filling stations outside the Visitor Center.
Wondering what’s blooming right now in Red Rock Canyon? Here are some of the most common flowers popping right now: 1) Utah Penstemon, 2) Fremont Phacelia, 3) Yellow Cryptantha (Popcorn Flower), and 4) Western Redbud 🌸🌼
We can’t stress enough how important it is to bring more water than you think you’ll need when visiting
#RedRockCanyon
. Luckily there’s water for sale inside the Visitor Center and bottle filling stations like this one outside!
🏜😅💧
The Scenic Drive is closed currently with the heavy rain and runoff we’re getting. Based on the forecast, it may stay closed for the day. We’ll update here if that changes, so stay dry and safe in the meantime!
The Las Vegas area may have only experienced about 85% coverage of today’s annular
#solareclipse
, but visitors to Red Rock Canyon still enjoyed safe viewing with our staff!
Check out the icicles from one of our many ephemeral waterfalls that appear after a rain or snow. Flowing water causes erosion, but the freeze and thaw of the water in the porous sandstone also works to create the cracks and calving of our red cliffs.
We couldn’t ask for better weather on National
#TakeaHike
Day! However, pleasant weather often means lots of traffic in
#RedRockCanyon
so pack a little patience with your backpack or picnic lunch.
* Friday 9:15am update: the Scenic Drive will be open HOWEVER we ask that people drive VERY carefully as there is still some ice on the road this chilly friday morning!
From
@blmnv
: The Scenic Drive at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is closed for the remainder of today, January 16, 2023, due to weather causing unsafe conditions.
The Scenic Drive has reopened. The snow has started to melt away, but please remain cautious of icy patches in shaded parts of the trails.
❄️
As a reminder, reservations are required for entry between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and can be made at
Winter is finally here… at least for a short time ❄️ Our higher elevations have already gotten a light dusting of snow, and we’ll likely see more before this storm clears out tomorrow!
📷 S.vanlancker
From
@blmnv
In anticipation of weather impacts from Hurricane Hilary.
From August 19 through August 21, the 13-Mile Scenic Drive and visitor center will be closed at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
The weather is fantastic and everyone is out taking advantage of it, so roads are full of all sorts of visitors to be aware of!
#sharetheroad
🏃♂️🚗🏍🦮🚲🐎🚌🛵
Can you see them?
Burros varied coats make great camouflage, and many visitors may never see them even when they are close. If you do spot them, please keep a safe distance, don’t disturb them, and never feed them no matter how friendly they may seem!
📷 S. Vanlancker
From
@blmnv
: Opening is delayed this morning for the Scenic Drive at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation area due to ice and snow on the road causing unsafe driving conditions.
We really doo doo need to talk about poo:
🌎 This Earth Day, we hope you know by now to
#leavenotrash
, but it’s equally as important to pick up after your pet while out on public lands!
🚮 Doo the right thing and be like
@BarkAndreFurry
:
#BagItTrashit
&
#LeaveNoTrace
!
The Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive will be closed until further notice today. We know that lots of folks want to get out and enjoy the great weather for Veterans Day, so head to our website to check out alternate locations:
The Scenic Drive is closed temporarily until snow and ice are cleared from the road. Please use caution if driving SR 159 as well. We can’t see the red cliffs, but we’re excited to see how much snow sticks when the weather clears!
Heads up,
#TrafficAlert
: the Scenic Drive is closed temporarily on this rainy Earth Day midday. Please enjoy this bonus rainbow shot in the meantime 🌈!
There’s nothing creepy about our resident tarantulas, other than the creeping pace they take while crossing roads and trails while out looking for a mate. Fall is prime mate-seeking season, so keep an eye out and be sure to follow posted speed limits 🕷️
Not much can improve the beauty of our red cliffs, but the winter morning alpenglow with the bonus of the full moon is gorgeous 🌕⛰️ Thank you for this spectacular view!
Wish you could visit
#RedRockCanyon
after school or work? The
#ScenicDrive
is open until 8pm through September- the air cools down in the evenings and the
#sunsets
are spectacular even with cloudless skies!
Scenic Drive update from
@blmnv
:
The Scenic Drive will open at 8 a.m. The ice is melting slower than expected.
The Lost Creek/Willow Springs area will remain closed until the ice melts off the road in that area. Please use extra caution if driving on the Scenic Drive today.
The Red Rock Canyon Scenic Loop is currently closed due to flooding. It will only reopen today if the flooding clears out. Please drive safely in this weather!
#turnarounddontdrown
From
@blmnv
: Opening is delayed this morning for the Scenic Drive at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation area due to snow on the road causing unsafe driving conditions. This may extend through the day as inclement weather continues.
Early this morning, staff noticed this massive sacred datura plant (Datura wrightii) putting on a
#fireworksshow
of its own with a tremendous flower
#bloom
. Treat these plants with caution though, as they are poisonous!
#FlowerFriday
The only fireworks allowed at
#RedRockCanyon
this holiday weekend are firecracker penstemon flowers! These bright red tubular flowers attract hummingbirds for pollination and add great splashes of color to the landscape. Look for them still in bloom at higher elevations.
You’ve probably already seen the many weather warnings for flooding and lightning storms, but we want to remind you again! Never cross moving flood waters and staying in the car is the safest place if you start hearing thunder while in Red Rock Canyon.
A much needed reminder right now: Being a responsible visitor means following
@leavenotrace
principles and taking responsibility for the impact you make on public lands.
Winter in the Mojave Desert is truly spectacular! Remember to make reservations and bring layers, snacks, and a little patience if you’re spending time in Red Rock Canyon this winter break:
❄️
We’re all pretty excited about the snow, but we’ll have to wait- the Scenic Drive will have a delayed opening of at least 9am 12/27 to make sure the roads are safe for visitors