undercovervegas

It’s an unfortunate fact that too much artificial lighting can have ill effects on a person. Other than making one depressed, tired, and seizure prone, it’s just plain unflattering. Who hasn’t done a double take upon catching a glimpse of themself in a bathroom mirror at 3 in the morning, skin a lovely green from the neon light display above? Even the biggest fans of the Vegas Strip deserve a natural break after spending several nights surrounded by the manmade.

That’s where nature takes over. Notice the mountains looming over all four corners of the valley? Ever seen the sun rise or set over them through a hotel room window? Now, wouldn’t it be nice to get out there yourself and see it all up close? Once the glamour and glitz and neon wear off, you can discover the other charms of the desert.

Have no fear. Getting out into the mountains need not be dangerous or challenging, and there’s something for everyone, whether you want to drive through a safe run without even needing to leave your car, or whether you’re up for the challenge of rock climbing in a remote and steep range. We’ll begin with one of the most popular places to get away from it all.

Red Rock Canyon, no more than an easy 20 minute drive from The Strip, has been leaving both tourists and locals speechless with its unbelievable natural beauty and awe-inspiring rock formations for years. Seriously, no words or pictures can describe the experience of seeing it in person. Sadly, it remains unknown to so many of the vacationers that pass through Vegas. You can see Red Rock for yourself for the cost of a one day rental car and $5 admission, about the equivalent to a fancy dinner or show on The Strip. The $5 admission per car goes to upkeep and offsetting the environmental damage caused by vehicles and people. They do a good job of keeping the area as clean and unspoiled as possible. A yearly pass can be purchased for $20. Keep in mind that you can also get in with an America the Beautiful National Park and Land Pass if you already have one.

To describe it briefly, Red Rock is a canyon comprised of a 13 mile one way loop with several lookout points where you can park your car and get out to take pictures or explore the nearby trails on foot. The drive is pretty simple, with good quality roads that slowly and comfortably elevate. Expect to see vastly different types of rock formations, trees such as pines and evergreens, and the possibility of snow. For the more adventurous, there are several more off-road loops that feature attractions such as hikes and climbs, natural waterfalls and springs, and several types of wildlife that exist nowhere else in the world. If the weather is good, Red Rock is a great place to bring your family for a picnic.

Getting there is simple. Turn West onto Charleston Blvd, located in between Sahara and the Fremont-downtown area. If you’re staying on The Strip, it’ll be a little further North than all of the hotels, including The Stratosphere.
Once you turn West onto Charleston, just keep driving and it’ll take you all the way out to Red Rock.

This website shows how you can get to Red Rock by taking Charleston Blvd:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/8855+W+Charleston+Blvd+las+vegas+nv/

This page also has a map of the scenic drive once you get there:
http://www.americansouthwest.net/nevada/red_rock_canyon/nca.html

Red Rock is generally open from 6am until 6pm, with exceptions for certain rock climbers and overnight campers. You can ask about this or any other issues by calling the visitor’s center office at (702)363-1921.

As you progress closer towards the conservation area, you’ll start to see signs on the road that tell you how far away the turn off for Red Rock is. Pay close attention to these signs, as the turn off is easy to miss. I still drive past it occasionally. You’ll see a small sign with an arrow, and the turn off will be on the right. You’ll pay the $5 entry fee at a small building and get a map of the canyon and newsletter in return. Drive on and enjoy what has been described as possibly the most beautiful place in the desert southwest.

Here are a few small safety tips. Stay at a moderate speed and keep an eye on the path as you drive through, don’t attempt to turn around or back up on the one way road, and don’t feed or disturb the wildlife that you meet on the way. You might encounter burros or horses that seem friendly and accustomed to humans, but there is a fine for feeding them and they are known to bite. Keep these tips in mind for a safe trip.

Additional links of interest, including information on hikes and trails:
http://redrock.org/index.html
http://redrockcanyonlv.org
http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/lvfo/blm_programs/blm_special_areas/red_rock_nca.html
http://www.americansouthwest.net/nevada/red_rock_canyon/nca.html

From the exit of Red Rock Canyon, it’s only a 4 mile drive East to Bonnie Springs, and I highly suggest you take the chance to see this Old Nevada style ranch while you have it.

Bonnie Springs is a small ranch town recreated quite authentically in the style of the old mining days. It’s a great place to bring young kids for pony and train rides in the desert, dinner and a western themed show at the old wooden saloon, or a visit to the large and unusual petting zoo.

The food at the Ranch Restarant is excellent with moderate prices, and the atmosphere is authentically Western. Even if you aren’t hungry, you’ll appreciate stopping for a cheap cup of coffee to counter the tiring effects of driving through the higher elevations of Red Rock.

The petting zoo is one of the best attractions, with a variety of animals local to the region (burros, foxes, chipmunks), as well as more common critters, such as rabbits and guinea pigs.

There’s also a hotel available for those who would prefer staying in the mountains to the bright lights of the city.

Here’s a link to the website:
http://www.bonniesprings.com/

From Red Rock and Bonnie Springs, it’s a brief drive back to Vegas and The Strip. Good luck to you on whatever type of adventure you choose to have, and hopefully you’ll come out of it with a new perspective on Las Vegas and Southern Nevada.

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