Amazing Park which is really well designed and staffed with super enthusiastic and informative…read moreRangers. Parking is available and has paved walkways to the restrooms and the museum. The restrooms are clean & well stocked. The museum is beautifully done with nice touches in the walls and metal work. Nice & cool inside after the heat outside with a small gift shop with a nice selection of stuff from t-shirts to stickers, books, etc. All reasonably priced. The information desk is staffed by Rangers, ours was a young lady Ranger who was extremely informative and helpful. We spoke about the trails, possible wildlife sightings and staying hydrated. The Visitor Center is full of information presented in displays that are well done & eye catching. There is a small theater with a short movie that talks about the area and the history of what and how different fossils were discovered. The trails are well marked, recommend sturdy shoes, and plenty of water - it was hot and even with shade areas brutal so start early and hydrate, hydrate and hydrate. There are informative displays throughout the park. There are also metal sculptures of what once roamed the very ground we walk on today. A fascinating place to visit and I definitely recommend.

A mammoth roamed here! Sure right!…read more Actually it's been proven right here where this ice age fossil museum stands. In the 1960s, "the big dig," took place. During the 1960s, an ancient site, this very site was a huge trench! They have made it so you can walk the original trench that was dug in the 1960s. It's actually a real trench . Now not a lot was found! But mammoths here in Vegas! It's because the area used to be a lush green forest and at some point in history under water. They lay out all the layers of dirt, you can see the ages over time! It's incredible. Let's get our nerd on! They have highlighted a trail with animals that would have been alive during these times with the mega fauna. Now they have not included the flora of the past. But the animals and facts are all marked on a small trail . Walk and learn! During the "big dig," the funding was limited. In fact these show images of where the anthropologists and scientists camped here on site . The breath of the past is here! The foot of man can not be seen here in a large pattern. They have found stone tools that date all the way back to the 1880s, but they cannot prove anything. The mammoth remains are incredibly valuable. We had mammoth here in Las Vegas. Come and let your imagination wander! This is a great place for the littles of the family. The community is involved here with art lovers from all grades and their drawings in the actual museum portion of the exhibition. Your price per person is only $3.00! Come and explore and enjoy something different here in North Las Vegas!

It's always been one of my favorite trails in Mt Charleston…read more Mary Jane's is listed as moderate hike and while it's true, it has some pretty steep hills, but the switchbacks are amazingly helpful. Definitely recommend going early in the morning so you can enjoy the cooler temperatures, instead of the hot sun later on. Make sure to bring plenty of drinking water and sunscreen! There is no drinking fountain anywhere on the trail. Also keep in mind, there isn't any restrooms on the hiking trails beside the very bottom at the beginning. The trail is very walkable but definitely no wheelchair accessible! We enjoyed the hike earlier this summer. There was still snow on the ground right across from us on the hillside. While we were hiking, there were beautiful wildflowers present on the ground. After the switchbacks, we had reached the waterfalls and immediately felt the refreshing smell in the air. The water was amazingly pleasant, washed our hands and enjoyed the beautiful views around us. Can't wait to go back again!

One of my favorite hikes in the Mt Charleston area. Mary Jane Falls is the ultimate desert escape…read more Just 45 minutes from Las Vegas, this hike trades heat and neon for cool mountain air, towering pines, and a steady uphill challenge. The switchbacks make you work for it, but the payoff is worth it -- a peaceful alpine waterfall that feels wildly out of place in the Mojave. Go early, bring water, and be ready to earn your views. Short, steep, and totally worth it.

The trail is washed away and is no longer accessible. They have yet to fix this. Also, all of the…read moresurrounding picnic areas are closed so there's really nowhere to stop for a picnic table.

What a great little hike!…read more I took my two littles, ages 2 and 4 on this little paved hike. Since it is paved, a person can easily bring a stroller or wheelchair on it and during this hike, we saw plenty of them as it is a popular hike for families and groups due to the abundance of picnic tables you can use throughout the hike. The parking lot for the trailhead is on the opposite side of the street. The parking lot is one of the larger ones and there are bathrooms available there as well. Once you cross the street, you will then be on the paved path that walks parallel to the street for a good block or so and then it veers off, slightly downhill, into the forest. There are numbered picnic tables along the hike so it is super easy to bring snacks or lunch and have a picnic. I didn't see any trash cans so PLEASE be sure to pack up your trash and take it back to you. I saw plenty of wheeled coolers and ice chests so you could definitely pack one of those in as well. Mid-hike there were also little forts that have been built (which is fun for the kids - one even has a table inside) and another set of bathrooms. There is also a very small creek that runs along the path, When we were there it did start to rain very hard so we ended up staying on the paved path as the small creek was starting to get larger in size and we didn't have a change of shoes for the kids. Overall - a nice, easy hike for anyone in a wheelchair or stroller. You could pack a lunch and spend a good amount of your day there exploring and taking in the beautiful scenery.

Easy hike with beautiful views…read more Parking is on Sunset Dr in a small parking lot. It is safe and right next to the trailhead, From the trailhead it is an easy .4 mile uphill hike to get to the top of the Mesa. From there it is flat. There are benches with view points. It is dig friendly.

I love walking my dog here. It's right across the street from my house. I will say there's a lot of…read moretrash that could be picked up the palm trees could be trimmed. But I definitely enjoy coming here. This second time I've seen this white .

One of the overlooked hiking areas in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is Blue…read moreDiamond Hill on the east side of Charleston Boulevard. There are a number of trails here, many made by mountain bikers who use the area for its challenging terrain. This hike can be made as hard or easy as you want. I make a long one out of it, but you could hike in a mile or so and then return to your car. It depends on your skill and the time you have. To get to the Cave Canyon Trail, drive past the entrance to the Visitor Center and Scenic Drive on Charleston Boulevard. About 1/2 mile beyond the entrance, there's a small parking area on the left side of the road where you go to ride horses with Cowboy Trail Rides. Park in this lot. From the lot, follow the dirt road as it heads toward a corral which usually has a good number of horses. At the corral, the road heads to your right. Keep following the road. You're going up the road that leads to the Cowboy Trail Rides area where they have their meals that come with certain rides. Just before the horse area, the trail goes off to your left and drops into a wash. There are a couple of ways you can get into the wash. It doesn't matter where just as long as you keep heading toward the two canyons in the distance. You will come to a fork in the trail as you look at the two canyons. Take the left fork. This is Cave Canyon. Follow the trail into Cave Canyon and enjoy the stunning limestone. If you stop and look at some of the boulders, you can see the fossilized imprints of clams that once lived on the bottom of the sea that was here. As you hike up this trail, you come to a dry waterfall. There are some boulders piled below to help you get up the 6 feet or so to get past the dry fall. If this looks too challenging, this would be a good place to turn around. For those with hiking skills, going beyond the dry fall begins a journey of following the canyon back and forth as it winds its way up Blue Diamond Hill. Eventually, you'll come to the overlook where below you is beautiful, Lady Las Vegas. It's a great sight to see our city stretched out below. On clear days, you can see Lake Mead but this is becoming rarer as the lake drops more and more. Retrace your steps and enjoy the many cacti, especially barrel cacti, that like the limestone of Blue Diamond Hill. If you go all the way to the overlook, the total distance will be about 6 miles. Here are some photos I took when I did this hike on December 29, 2009. If you have any questions about the hike, send me a message and I'll be glad to answer questions. Happy hiking!

Blue Diamond Hill is an extraordinary place off the beaten path in The Red Rock Canyon National…read moreConservation Area. Its open spaces, western landscape, and beauty has touched my heart. Unfortunately, when I recently hiked in its Cave Canyon Trail it destroyed my heart. Seeing the graffiti epidemic creates a wound that band aids and water can't cure. A precious area of Blue Diamond Hill with so much to give is being wasted away by graffiti. The graffiti is so bad that it is running out of giving. What a difference a couple of years makes. The last time I hiked in Cave Canyon, with the exception of the lower cave, the graffiti was as sparse as a Park Ranger patrolling Blue Diamond Hill. Now it is on the level of a barrier wall in a ghetto along some parts of the canyon. Where is paradise-turning-into the ghetto of Red Rock Canyon? Facing north, it is on the right (east) side of State Route 159 between the exit and entrance of the 13 Mile Scenic Drive. The Cowboy Trails parking lot is the trailhead. This is the same parking lot of the Las Vegas Overlook. The parking lot is small and unpaved. It fills up fast. When I hike up Blue Diamond Hill, I park in the paved Red Rock Canyon Overlook parking lot, then walk approximately 1/2 mile alongside State Route 159 to the trailhead. So, from the unpaved parking lot, you want to continue hiking on a dirt road past two horse corals. Compared to the graffiti ahead, the scenery of horses with Blue Diamond Hill in the background is a 4 star picture spot. The horseriders add to the western landscape. On this note, it amazes me that people complain that the horses are destroying the landscape when criminals are doing severe damage vandalizing it. Anyway, the dirt road stops at the second coral and narrows into foot/ equestrian trails. To aim for Cave Canyon you want to envision a clock. Cave Canyon will be toward the 11 'o' clock position. Now you want to follow the trail into the wash and toward the canyon that will be toward the 12 'o' clock position and not toward the right at the 3 'o' clock position. The trail passes on a covering of desert sprinkled with creosote, Joshua trees, and rocks. Unfortunately in mid-2014, graffiti is the landmark to the canyon portion. "Enoch" in large black letters welcomes the hiker. Whatever it means, "Enoch" would be a common sight along the uphill trail. Into the canyon, the trail ascends a hill to the right. It follows the mountain wall to the right and the view below to the left. Halfway to the right is a small cave. I posted a picture that shows how graffiti destroyed this cave. Bird&hike.com also shows the graffiti infestation. A short distance past the small cave, you will reach a wall of rocks. From this point forward, class three scrambling is required to reach the upper cave. Of course, graffiti is the landmark. The reward for all the graffiti on the way up is the breathtaking views of Red Rock Canyon on the hike down. From this angle, you could see a post card view of Red Rock Canyon. The funny thing about Cave Canyon is that the surrounding trails are still untouched beautiful western landscapes. With Cave Canyon on fire from graffiti, until the National Park Service attempts to control it; I highly recommend reaching the top of Blue Diamond Hill from the Las Vegas Overlook Trail or the Cowboy Trails system. In conclusion I give Cave Canyon 3 stars. The way I see it, somebody has to give something to this unloved place that wants to give some kind of love. Hopefully the National Park Service will give Cave Canyon back to health so that it can in turn give future generations uplifting experiences in the caves of Blue Diamond Hill.

Few geological landscapes of comparable grandeur lie within such immediate reach of a major…read moremetropolitan center as Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, where vermilion sandstone, pale sedimentary outcrops, and formidable mountain escarpments reveal the complex geological history of the Mojave Desert. Barely removed from Las Vegas, the conservation area possesses a seclusion scarcely anticipated so near the city, enhanced by conscientious preservation and facilities maintained to an exacting standard. The 13-mile Scenic Drive begins with its most visually commanding formations: the richly pigmented sandstone of Calico I and Calico II. Across their undulating surfaces, successive sedimentary layers trace intricate contours through crimson ridges and weathered outcrops. Sandstone Quarry introduces a juxtaposition of pale and crimson sandstone, its lighter formations interrupting the predominance of red before the roadway advances into increasingly mountainous terrain. The ensuing panoramas exchange the flamboyance of the initial sandstone formations for the more austere contours of rocky slopes and distant escarpments, affording a broader appreciation of the desert's varied geology. From High Point Overlook, an expansive prospect encompasses substantial portions of the Scenic Drive, with the unobstructed vantage offering opportunities for panoramic photography. During favorable early-evening conditions, the distant illumination of Las Vegas may also appear along the horizon, a fleeting reminder of the urban landscape beyond the desert. The pleasure of traversing such varied terrain is reinforced by an exceptionally well-maintained roadway. Across approximately 2 years of frequent visitation, the pavement has exhibited consistently smooth surfaces and scarcely perceptible deterioration. Parking areas, scenic overlooks, restrooms, and adjoining grounds receive similarly meticulous attention, reflecting a sustained standard of maintenance. Precautionary management is equally apparent during inclement weather, when closures restrict access to vulnerable turnoffs or roadway sections threatened by flooding. The condition of the facilities and the discipline exercised in safeguarding public access attest to the conservation area's conscientious stewardship. Although the Scenic Drive provides an admirable introduction to the conservation area's topography, an extensive network of hiking trails affords closer examination of formations and canyon interiors. Route maps, estimated durations, difficulty classifications, and preparatory guidance are prominently displayed at trailheads, allowing prospective hikers to evaluate their intended excursions before departure. The visitor center supplies further information through knowledgeable personnel, whose courtesy and professionalism are matched by the attentive staff at the entrance stations. Trail mileage alone, however, provides an incomplete indication of physical difficulty. Ice Box Canyon, for example, may feature a seasonal waterfall following suitable precipitation, although rocky passages and boulder scrambling can complicate the approach. Advance consultation regarding route conditions and physical requirements is therefore advisable, as are precautions concerning desert heat, variable weather, and native wildlife, including rattlesnakes. Beyond its recreational attractions, Red Rock Canyon benefits from its proximity to Las Vegas. The America the Beautiful annual pass facilitates repeated admission to participating federal recreation sites, while complimentary passes are available to eligible veterans and individuals with qualifying permanent disabilities. Applicable reservation requirements and separate fees may still apply. For local residents, recurring access encourages spontaneous excursions for photography, sightseeing, or respite from urban activity. During quieter weekday hours, diminished traffic and sparse visitation permit a contemplative encounter with the landscape, when the desert's expansive silence offers a reprieve from the congestion and incessant stimulation of metropolitan life. Such tranquility lends the conservation area enduring appeal beyond the novelty of an initial visit. It should be acknowledged that the Scenic Drive and its accessible overlooks encompass only a fraction of Red Rock Canyon's geographical breadth, leaving the more secluded canyon interiors and extensive hiking network for further exploration. Nevertheless, the principal vehicular circuit provides a substantive introduction to the region's geological character, while sustained observation attests to the exemplary condition of its infrastructure, the diligence of its personnel, and the conscientious administration of visitor safety. Red Rock Canyon rewards repeated visitation through the quality of its scenery, attentive maintenance, and accessibility, with the surrounding desert offering an enduring refuge from the demands of metropolitan life.

For being so close to the touristy strip, this should be a must do for everyone visiting Vegas…read more Great scenic loop with lots of photo ops. Cell service very spotty. Go prepared with snacks and drinks. Stop at the welcome center for souvenirs.

I was looking for a different spot to do a walk and the Lakes Fitness Trail popped up on Yelp. I…read morehave driven through the Lakes when I've taken out of town freinds to see water in the desert which always impresses them. I first went to park at the Lake Sahara South Park, but the area is shut with a gate. I drove around and parked at the tennis courts area which appeared to be closed. I started walking west on the sidewalk to Crystal Water Way. I realized there that the fitness trail crosses to the west side of the street where there is a sidewalk. I walked along here for a while until I saw the first chance to get a glimpse of the lake. I crossed Crystal Water and stepped over a low wall to a fence where I got a good view of one of the side inlets of the lake. Along the section I walked on the sidewalk, there are a number of exercise machines and some benches to rest and enjoy the pleasant weather--which wasn't yesterday--it was quite windy and there were some sprinkles. Once I had crossed the street, I walked along the curb. The nice thing about the community is the streets are only two lanes when they could be four. This allows for a bicycle path on each side of the street and parking areas between the bike path and the curb. This is where I did the rest of the walk and where most people were walking. When you get to the roundabout, this is where you turn--the direction depending on doing the loop clockwise or counter-clockwise. In a short distance after the roundabout, I came to the Lake Sahara South Park. It had been open for parking, but the gate was closed and locked. You can walk in the park and get a good view of the main section of Lake Sahara. From here, it was just a process of finishing the 2 mile loop. I did take a detour in the small area where I've eaten in three of the restaurants. A note about parking--I'm not sure how much is allowed along the streets. I parked at the tennis courts. They appeared closed and the spaces were empty except for mine. Across Lake East Drive from the tennis court is a large parking area that is not being used. It was the home of a credit card processing center and it closed years ago and there are many dozens of places to park although it's private property. Do not park in the small retail area. parking is at a premium and is unfair to the businesses. This is a pleasant loop with an elevation change of about 40 feet so it's basically flat. Enjoy!

Loved it! Walked for forever with my girlies. I thought i would see more lake but it was coo!…read moreReally long trail, which wasmorelike long sidewalk walks. I thought I woul be able to walkaround the lake but no. All in all i give it a 3. I wasjust excpectIng more lake views. The views you did get to see of the lake were bared off woth huge gates

We recently visited Las Vegas and discovered this amazing park and hiking trail. We tried out new…read morehiking poles that we bought while we were there. We were both impressed with how (mostly) clean the trails were and how nice of a hike one could go on (it was a Wednesday evening, not sure how crowded it gets on the weekends). The park adjacent to the hiking trail was also amazingly clean and well maintained and loved that it had a dog park. However , we didn't feel quite comfortable letting our crazy dog go 'unchained' in that dog park. Next time in Vegas, we'll be going back to this part/hiking trail!

Great spot for a hike or a walk along the mountain loop. It would also be amazing to ride horses…read morearound the trail and take in the scenery that way.