Not too far from the (paid) NPS Henderson entrance is this moderate 2-3+ mile (you choose) trail that starts right off the parking lot. Shaded picnic areas and rudimentary restrooms are at both nearby 33 Hole parking lots. The first (and last!) hill warrants good hiking footwear and your attention. Uneven and unmaintained so find a map online for best results. Bring water, bring Fido, dress for the weather and pack out your trash. The views and slot canyon are worth it! read more

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This hike is unpaved, and someone can easily get lost. There were times when I had no idea where I was going, and luckily, the navigation on here told me I was going the wrong way. The hike, in general, is excellent. You see a little river, go under tunnels, and hike up a small hill. There is enough nature to look around rather than just dirt and rocks because we are in a desert. Not too many people around either, which is nice, that it isn't too crowded. Unfortunately, I did not see any owls. Lastly, you do have to pay an entrance fee to come inside, I believe it was 20. Overall, the hike was easy, and I would come back. read more

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The start of the trailhead had a sign marker stating that it was the trail and that this trail is unmaintained (I was actually surprised there was a start to trail marker since I knew ahead of time it wasn't a maintained trail). I enjoyed the hike. I recommend using All Trails for a trail map as there are a few times you are faced with the uncertainty of knowing which way to go as there are no signs on the trail. The trail itself isn't all that hard (it was rated moderate on All Trails) and there are a few parts where you go up hill, but nothing too crazy, A lot of the trail is in direct sun so plan accordingly. I enjoyed seeing the canyon exploring the rock formations. Plus, since its an unmaintained trail it is pretty quiet and does get some foot traffic but not a ton. There are many seashells on the trail so you can see where water used to be--neat! A nice spot to hike for a few hours (you go less than 4 miles roundtrip). read more

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Nice hiking trail. I recommend you download a map from Alltrail because it's easy to get lost.

This was a fun hike. We went on a Saturday morning around 9am. It begins with a downhill trail and follow the rock pathway. You go through some canyons and there's a big tunnel. It is fairly easy to moderate. There were some shells along the way that the kids enjoyed looking at. Total loop is 2.2 miles round trip. We did not see any owls unfortunately. read more

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Nov 22, 2020 - 3.5 miles Loop Trail - 1.5hrs to complete Dog Friendly, there was only one spot that had a high drop but there was a rock the pup was able to jump on then jump down from. After you walk out of the double tunnels, climb out up the dirt hill directly to the right of them (as you come out) to the abandoned road to stay on the loop trail. (Go left on the road to stay on the trail. Your left when you are facing the lake) As other reviewers said the hardest part was the climb out at the very end where we started for sure! It is pretty steep so you get that booty burn it but it's all worth it! read more

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There are two things I look for when It comes to pick up a trail: 1st, it has to be interesting or scenic 2nd, it's short (less than 6 miles round trip) This trail was rated "Moderate" and it's short (2.2 miles round trip) with 300 feet elevation change. I would think the ONLY "moderate" part of this trail is the steep 45ft slope which was hard on the knees. Coming down was easy, coming up, I made at least 3 stops:XD As everyone had already mentioned how to find the trailhead and where the trail leads to. I am not going to repeat it. Perhaps, I didn't do enough homework, I was a little confused at some point about which way to turn left. If that ever happened, follow your instinct, and follow the footprints! I made to the first culvert (tunnel) and it was starting to get dark. I had to turn on the light to make sure nothing follows me:p The trail isn't heavily trafficked on weekdays, only bumped into a group of 3 on my way into the slot canyon. It was quiet and peaceful. No cellular reception down in the slot canyon but Verizon has good coverage in most of the Lake Mead Recreation Area. Entrance fee $25 They accept America the Beautiful Annual Pass! I went to Lake Mead back to back, it started to grow on me as it's not as far as Death Valley and less crowded as Red Rock Canyon. read more

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Really gorgeous hike and it has lots of different scenery and variations. It is quite easy just one rock you have to get off but I sit down and jumped off it was easy. Lots of shade, the tunnels are cool. The rock formations are gorgeous. Far views and many photo ops. It took us 1.5h. read more

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Nice hike in the Lake Mead area. Not much flora to see, but the slot canyons are pretty cool! Beginning of the trail from the parking lot is pretty steep but the remainder of the trail is pretty flat. read more

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What a beautiful hike! As someone who is not as fit as they'd like to be, I was still able to tackle this fairly easily. Be warned that you have to go up a very steep and gravely hill at the end of the loop to get back to the parking lot. I was more than a little bit winded after that. I'd recommend downloading a map of the trail off the internet before starting this loop. I have Verizon, and I lost service during the middle of my hike. This trail doesn't have the best signage, so it's good to be prepared. Overall, I'd say this trail is fairly beginner friendly if you don't have any medical issues. Do not expect easy paved paths, but there's nothing super challenging to climb over either. read more

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The trail isn't easy to follow as mentioned by others and a good 3.5 mile round trip hike that took us about 3.5 hours to complete. You turn right and make your way up the hill almost immediately after the second tunnel and see the red rocks on uiur left! The alltrails app makes it super easy to follow the trail. Thankfully a nice person using the trail could show us our progress on the hike! Not very much vegetation, but there are beautiful formations and views of the wash as it makes its way to Lake Mead. Plus, owl sightings!! read more

White Owl Canyon - Owl! - Hiking Near Me - Boulder City, Nevada

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Very beautiful hike that's not too much of an effort. Great for kids and out of shape hikers like me. The trailhead isn't marked but it's pretty obvious where the trail starts. In case you don't see it, it's around the second (middle) picnic bench. You have to go down a very steep hill that has pretty loose gravel. This is the most "moderate" park of the hike. Once you get into the slot canyon, it's very easy to ambulate. Some small obstacles but not many. There are many shaded areas if you decide to go during the summer like I did. It was 9am but it was still pretty darn hot. The culverts are an interesting portion of this hike. It is a bit dark inside the longer (first) one but I didn't use a light and was able to see pretty well. And believe me I was looking. Snake + solo hike = no bueno. I didn't follow the advice to loop around, I just turned around where you could loop around after the second set of culverts [this will be pretty obvious too because it the only section that looks kind of like a ramp on the left side (SE) facing away from the culverts] because I wanted to walk through that slot canyon again. As of 6//17/18, the entrance fee to Lake Mead was $25 for 7 days. However, if you live here like I do and you think you'll come more than once, it's probably best to get the $45 all year pass. read more

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Love this hike! Super easy and lots of shade once you get to the canyons. Had to ask where the path was, got lost the first time. Basically: go down the hill, walk straight, go over the small hill and take the left path. Trail was clean and it was neat seeing all the seashells on the floor! There is an entrance fee but when I went (before 6am), the office wasn't open yet so we were able to pass without paying. (I have an America beautiful pass which they take as well) The passed 2 times I went (August 2020), I barely saw anyone. Basically had the trail to myself the entire time I was there. Would recommend leaving around 10/11am before it gets really hot and making sure you have enough water for when you have to climb up the steep hill from the beginning! You will need it! read more

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Whoooooooo **owl tone** knew that this hike was here -- I sure as heck didn't. When you think of hiking at Lake Mead, I always thought just the railroad trail or the Hoover Dam. Nope, there's more than meets the eye. After pay $20 for the Lake Mead Park fees, we to a short scenic drive to a parking lot overlooking what looked like a mini Horseshoe Bend. We parked the car and proceeded to walk (tread) our way down a loose dirt/gravel/rock trail. Following our hiking leads, we walked through the dry river bed that was Lake Mead. We knew this because of all the sea shells that laid on the ground we walked upon. After walking an easy 15 minutes, we came upon a slot canyon ---- we know how much I love slot canyons -- the only slots I like to play in **hehe**lame joke*** These canyons were easily as high as the ones in Antelope Canyon but, wider to let in more light. As we walked along the way, our friends pointed out various owl nests -- hence, white owl canyon. It was kinda crazy and creepy to think that there were owls above us; especially considering the owl droppings along the wall. Yuck. After walking through the slots, it lead us to a man made tunnel, which goes under the roads of Lake Mead State Park. And another tunnel past that. Throughout this 30-45 minute hike, sadly, we weren't lucky enough to see an owls. But, so happy to have seen this hike on a beautiful sunday funday. read more

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Over the last 8 years, I have hiked this canyon probably 15 or more times. I do it as a loop starting at the parking area at 33 Hole along Lakeshore Road at Lake Mead. As you enter the 33 Hole area, turn left at the first side road and go to that parking area. There's a bathroom along the way in and a picnic table close to where you park. From the picnic table, take the steep trail down the hill. Go across the bottom where Lake Mead used to be and cross over a small ridge. After that ridge, turn left following the trail up the wash into White Owl Canyon. From here, you'll go through two sets of drainage pipes under the new and old roads that go along the lake's shoreline. In between, you'll pass through a meandering slot canyon of layered mud hardened and formed by water over thousands of years. Always keep your eyes both toward the top of the canyon and along the bottom. On the top, we often see an owl who'll be watching us as we near a nesting area. On the bottom of the wash, look for owl pellets--the bones and fur of animals the owls have eaten and then regurgitated. They cannot eat again until they rid themselves of this waste. As you look up, you'll also see some areas where the owls have nested over the years. I always do this hike as a loop. After the second tunnel, I climb out of the wash to the old road and walk that north for about a mile before following another wash that leads back through a tunnel and connects with the Lakeshore Trail and then follow that back to the steep hill to the car. Over the years, I've seen the lake's water level drop and ride--but mostly drop--until now the one area is totally dry. It's sad to see how the level has dropped and the egrets and heron are no longer near the trail. I find this to be a relaxing time with nature and it's a hike I've done by myself when I want to be alone and enjoy in a very quiet way. read more

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Finding it is difficult because it is not on any map or kiosk. The best way to find the trailhead is to ask a ranger when arriving into Lake Mead Rec area. We were there mid afternoon in January and the weather was great. This area is partially shaded so on a chilly day be sure to bring a layer for the canyon itself. Path was clear once you arrived in the actual canyon. The path travels along what used to be a water way and is littered with shells making for a very interesting sight. The slot canyon is the nesting place for owls, however on our visit we did not see any. There are several areas which look prime for those wanting to adventure and scramble on the rocky terrain however for those just seeking a hike it is also perfect! There are two areas which you walk under the roadways through large tunnels. These are very dark so I recommend a light to make sure you don't stumble upon any undesirable critters. It was a fun path for us (2 adults and 1 child) and for those wanting a path a little less traveled it is a must!! read more

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This is a great scenic hike. Would be fun for families. We took dogs with us today. Usually not a hike I would take dogs. However time of day and so many people didn't think we would see any owls. We seen lots of owl poo up high on the ledges. I've yet to see an owl on my hikes here. Have seen friends photos and there is the poo so they are there. Last time I was here I seen an owl's regurgitation with bones in it (mice maybe). Next time we're gonna go early in the morning. I'm determined to see one! read more

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White Owl Canyon is a short slot canyon at Lake Mead known for its population of barn owls. It is located along Lakeshore Drive in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, about 30 minutes southeast of Las Vegas. This hike follows the shoreline of Lake Mead. This hike is ideal for newer hikers looking to push themselves, or advanced hikers looking to explore somewhere new and actually have time to enjoy the beautiful scenery. As we entered the slot canyon, I was 'wowed'. The canyon was named for the white owls (Barn Owls) that live in the canyon. We didn't see owl today but saw crows and "white wash" (owl poop) on the rock walls. Watch the ground for pellets, oblong clumps of bone and fur which is owl barf. The total time to complete for us was 2 hours. read more

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White Owl Canyon is a place that hits home for two reasons. The first reason is that I consider Lake Mead National Recreation Area my backyard. The second reason was that back in November 2014 when Norm. K held the White Owl Canyon UYE, my left leg was in such bad shape that I couldn't make it down the steep hill from the trailhead leaving me to abandon the hike and Yelper commaderie before even getting on it. Over a year later, with a rejuvenated left leg and several hiking adventures, I was visiting my backyard to explore White Owl Canyon and hopefully see the white barnyard owls it is named after. In reality I had been close to the Canyon on hiking adventures. I had passed over White Owl Canyon on my annual Spring wildflower bloom River Mountains Loop Trail hike in the vicinity of mile marker 15. Likewise I was never far from it when I hiked on the Shoreline Trail. The White Owl Canyon trailhead is located at the 33 Hole turn off from Lake Shore Drive about halfway between the Lake Mead Parkway and Boulder City entrance stations. Once you turn onto the 33 Hole turnoff it will be the leftmost parking lot. Before I continue, it is necessary to mention that the entrance fee into Lake Mead National Recreation Area recently increased from $10 to $20. White Owl Canyon is technically a one mile hike that starts at the leftnost picnic tables off the 33 Hole parking lot then heads southwest as it passes beneath both Lake Shore Drive and the River Mountains Loop Trail where it ends at a wash winding through the River Mountains. However, if you follow Norm K's UYE hike route it is round trip hike. I followed Norm K's route. The following paragraphs are a travelogue themed review of my late April Owl Canyon hike. From the quiet and paved leftmost parking lot, I set eyes on a view of Lake Mead before hiking down the steep hill toward the dry lake bed that is known as salt flats. After trial and error, I aimed toward 11 0' clock up a hill that would lead me down a north facing slope onto the southwestbound Owl Canyon Trail. Gradually the open spaces of the desert became smaller until I was passing through a slot canyon. The further I progressed the narrower the passageway became with the increase height of the bordering walls. This reminded me of slot canyons on Arizona Hot Springs and Valley of Fire where the real world disappeared. For a 1/2 mile I was progressing through a different world that was blanketed in shade and cooler temperature with echo sound. I'd pass blooming flowers and technicolor fauna. The two tunnels transitioned the scenery from lower slot Canyon to upper Canyon and ultimately into the open wash of the River Mountains. Between Lake Shore and the Loop Trail, the slot Canyon widened where the shade blanket was gone. When I hiked through the canyon, the barnyard owls were missing in action. Near my shadow were some adorable birds. As I passed close to a blooming bush, I did get to see them and many. Bees! The bees gave me a get through here unharmed pass. I was not going to test their generosity. Norm K's circular route was the only way to go. At the conclusion of the official Canyon, there was trial and error finding the spur trail to the Loop Trail. After the dual tunnel, to the right I made a turn on an uphill tunnel aiming northeast for the Loop Trail. On the Loop Trail, I turned right. From this spot Owl Canyon was laid out below toward Lake Mead. I continued south on the Loop Trail for a good half mile. After mile marker 15.5 I looked for a wash headed northeast toward Lake Mead. If I saw Mile Marker 16, I'd miss it. I stepped down a southeast facing spur trail to head northeast on the wash toward the trailhead. The wash would gradually narrow until the Lake Shore Drive tunnel where it changed into a canyon up to the salt flats. The steep hill up to the trailhead was on the right. When I changed out of my hiking boots into sneakers, I was determined to return. My plan is to this hike next year in late March or early April when the Spring flower bloom turns mile marker 15 of the River Mountains Loop Trail and surrounding desert into a botanical Wonderland. Hopefully I will get to set eyes on the white owls instead of bees. read more

Coming from the Northeast, I am always fascinated by the colors in the Southwest. Living in a world of four seasons, I would imagine many would assume we get enough colors; reds and orange in the fall, grey in the winter, pinks and yellows in the spring, green grass and blue skies in the summer. This is all true and the four seasons I would argue is what keeps so many people from just up and leaving when another Nor'Easter hits or another month of shoveling takes it toll. I, however, just love the way the blue skies in Nevada goes on for miles and miles contrasting with the burnt reds and browns of the earth. It's so beautiful and pictures do not do these parts of the country any justice. That being said, I've included plenty of pictures. The White Owl Canyon is a day hike from the Las Vegas strip and yet when we went it was not busy at all. I have no idea why more people are not out exploring and hiking like us, but then again I like that it's quite and we have nature to ourselves (for the most part). The hike is not difficult and I've seen the more expert hikers call it moderate. I would describe it as a nice walk well marked and not hand over foot climbing or using ropes or jumping from rock to rock. To find the parking lot, turn towards the 33 Hole Overlook off Lakeshore Road. We missed the turn, but soon realized it and just turned around. From the parking, it looks like there's no trail. If you walk across this parking lot, there's an old boat ramp on the right side. Walk down the boat ramp and the trail starts from there. I've seen other posts about walking down a steep hill and I can only guess that maybe they didn't see the boat ramp. It has a decline, but it's safe and I couldn't help thinking how much my kids would have loved running around on it. As we were walking, we found many seashells broken up along the trail. Seashells in not something you see everyday on a hiking trail in Nevada. Pretty cool! The hike is about 2.2 miles and a nice way to spend time outside. We didn't see any owls, but I think maybe we came too late in the day. I have heard you have better luck in the early morning hours. pictures http://www.myadventurevacations.org/2020/06/white-owl-canyon-day-hike-from-las.html read more

Great trail. It wasn't heavily populated, so it was easy to do with my pup. There were some very steep parts (usually only for a few steps, other than the very beginning). The sun beats down pretty hard, so I definitely recommend sunscreen and a hat. It was very pretty, with some unique attributes. Type "Owl Mountain Trailhead" into Google maps. Go to 33 Hole Rd and turn into the first parking lot on your left. There's a steep cliff, and the trail starts just below it. read more

I've hiked here twice and have yet to see an owl, although in some areas there's an incredible amount of their poop on the walls. It's a very pleasant hike although there are some steep parts and rarely climbing up or down is necessary. The rocks are very sharp in this area so gloves are nice. From the parking spot, it's a short hike to Lake Mead. On my two trips to this spot there were pelicans, hawks, and blue herons around. read more

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Excellent hike. I highly recommend it. I hiked from the trailhead to the dual culverts and back. Didn't see any owls or pellets but saw lots of wildflowers and baby dinosaurs. read more