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In a dramatic break from the ordinary, consider taking in the sights of  Red Rock Canyon – Nevada’s first National Conservation Area.  Red Rock Canyon is located 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip on Charleston Boulevard/State Route 159.  In contrast to a town geared to entertainment and gaming, Red Rock Canyon offers enticements of a different nature including a 13-mile scenic drive, more than 30 miles of hiking trails, picnic areas, and visitor center with exhibit rooms and a book store.  Among the many notable geologic features you’ll find:

• Calico Hills – the hills are a large outcrop of eroded red Aztec sandstone, excellent for climbing. There are several overlooks, and trails for the more energetic. The top of the ridge has good views over the colorful Calico Basin at the far side, and of all Las Vegas to the south – as ever the distinctive shapes of the casinos are clearly recognizable.
• Calico Tanks – the tanks (also known as tinajas) are natural cavities in the sandstone which hold water for some time after rainfall; they may be reached by a 1.25 mile trail starting at the the base of the Calico Hills.
• Icebox Canyon – Icebox is one of many narrow canyons that drain the mountain slopes. A path leads up the drainage for about a mile, though more can be seen by scrambling off-trail, over boulders and up small dryfalls.
• La Madre Springs – these are found in a ravine at the base of La Madre Mountain; a fairly easy, 1.5 mile path leads to the waters, starting from the end of the spur road to Willow Springs picnic area.
• Lost Creek Canyon – this is the largest canyon through the cliffs, and it provides the only through route to the west side of the Spring Mountains. A 20 mile dirt track (requires 4WD) follows the streamway past more of the characteristic colorful, layered rocks, then across the western foothills to the desert town of Pahrump.
• Pine Creek Canyon – this pleasant canyon features a permanent stream, large shady trees and the remains of an old dwelling, all accessed by an easy, 1 mile trail.
• Spring Canyon – a narrow, sheltered ravine containing a short trail that follows alongside the creek bed to the base of a (seasonal) 30 foot waterfall, Spring Canyon is dry during summer although the creek does flow year round in one short section, where the waters rise up in a narrow, overgrown channel, trickle down the hillside for several yards then sink below ground again.

There are numerous outdoor activities available in Red Rock and you are encouraged to explore the variou s online resources provided by the Bureau of Land Management.