Hike the Calico Tanks Trail at Red Rock Canyon
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If you live in the Las Vegas area or you’re planning to visit soon and you’re in search of local hiking trails, you can’t go wrong with one of the most popular in the area - the Calico Tanks Trail.
Located in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, right off the Scenic Drive, this trail takes hikers on a thrilling experience through red and white sandstone formations across rolling hills and inside the walls of a canyon, before ending at the famed Calico Tank and a jaw dropping view of the valley below.
While the trail length is moderate, coming in at only 2.4-miles, out and back, it’s far from your normal, everyday trail as there’s some mild scrambling required, increasing the time it’ll take to complete the hike.
Curious to see what the trail looks like? Want to know where the parking lot is and what, if any, fees are associated with this hike? I discuss all of that and more in the post below.
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Trail Stats
Location: Red Rock Canyon National Recreation Area, Las Vegas, NV
Fee: Up to $20 per vehicle
Open: All year
For: Hikers
Cell Service: Spotty, at best
Restroom: At the trailhead
Parking: Large paved lot at the trailhead
EV Stations: None
Difficulty: Moderate
Popularity: High
Mileage: 2.4 miles, out and back
Elevation Gain: 440 feet
Condition: Trail is dotted with trail markers, but there isn’t much of a designated path for most of it. Bringing a map would be wise
Features: Beautiful sandstone formations, the Calico Tank and a great view of Las Vegas at the end
Accessible: Any time of year, but with the limited shade and the extreme heat, summer isn’t ideal
Pets: Not allowed
Drones: Not allowed
Hazards: Little to no shade, sandy boulders and rattlesnakes
My Visit(s): August 2023
Take a look at these products that I recommend for this hike…
Red Rock Canyon Fees and Parking
While there aren’t any fees associated with the trail itself, the trail is located inside Red Rock Canyon, which does charge a fee to enter. Fees for 2024 are as follows:
$20 per vehicle
$10 per motorcycle
$8 per bicyclist
$5 per pedestrian
Furthermore, if you’re visiting between the months of November and May, a timed reservation will be required to access the park between the hours of 8am and 5pm. An additional $2 fee will be charged by Recreation.gov for these.
If you have any variation of the America the Beautiful pass, you can use it for entry here. You will still need a reservation during the months mentioned above, though. Conversely, you can purchase a Red Rock Canyon annual pass for $50.
The parking lot for the Calico Tanks Trail is easy to find, as it’s located just off Scenic Drive on the right. It’s fairly large, capable of holding several dozen vehicles or so, and is paved.
It’s the second parking lot you’ll encounter along Scenic Drive. The first one is for the Calico Hills and Basin, so don’t confuse the two (though this area is also worthy of exploring if you have the time).
Unfortunately, Red Rock Canyon experiences vehicle break ins and thefts at the most popular parking lots, Calico Tanks being amongst them. So don’t leave valuables in plain view.
Near the entrance, I pulled over to take a photo of the welcome sign and while doing so, I witnessed a black SUV pull over. A young man jumped out, looked into my car and the car parked in front of me, looked up and saw me, jumped back in his car and took off. So definitely heed the warnings.
The Trail
The trailhead is located at the northern end of the parking lot, next to the restrooms. There’s trail signage here advising visitors of potential hazards and/or trail conditions, so be sure to give them a quick read.
The trail begins in the shade of the large canyon wall and runs straight for about 30 yards, before pivoting right towards an area of gravel wash.
This area can be easy to lose at times as the trail appears to have been washed away by reoccurring flooding events. You’ll know you’ve went the right direction when you see two giant boulders on your left (pictured below).
Past these boulders, you’ll travel along a clear pathway for a short spell before coming across an even larger gravel wash field. Throughout this stretch, it would be advisable to have a map on hand as the trail is non-existent.
If you don’t have one, just keep an eye out for the trail markers and make your way to the next one the best you can, simply repeating the process until you’re back on the path.
After a short while, the trail will become obvious again and will narrow as it aligns with the canyon walls. It is here where your adventure truly begins.
If there’s been rainfall recently, you’ll likely encounter several large puddles of water and work your way through the canyon. None of them are deep or treacherous, though.
You can easily bypass many of them by utilizing the spur trails, but there is one in particular that forces you to either scramble over the sandstone or just accept the fact that your feet are going to get wet.
You’ll soon come upon the first of many large boulders you’ll need to negotiate in order to complete the trail. None of which are difficult.
There are no ropes or chains to hoist yourself up on, nor will you need any special equipment. Be sure to bring shoes or boots with good tread, though, as the sandstone is slick and sandy in some spots.
Much like at the beginning of the trail, there are several trail markers placed along this stretch indicating the best possible path, as there is no proper trail from this point forward.
You’re never out of eye-shot of one of these markers, so as soon as you make your way to one, simply look around to find the next and make your way there, watching your steps.
Depending on the time of day, you’ll have some shade on this section of the trail, but it’s mostly in the morning. As the sun gets higher, the amount of shade dissipates, leaving you more exposed to the Las Vegas heat.
It goes without saying, but you should bring as much water your shoulders can handle on this hike. It’s always better to bring too much than not enough.
You’ll know you’re nearing the end of the trail when you reach a series of sandstone steps, coupled with a dirt path leading you upward.
At the top of those sandstone steps, you’ll notice a notch in the distance. Just beyond that notch is where the Calico Tank lies.
The water level in the tank varies throughout the year. It can be anywhere from bone dry in the summer to full and frozen over in the winter.
Either way, it makes for a great spot to sit and enjoy a snack. There are numerous rocks to sit on along the trail on the south side of the tank. Additionally, if the water level is low enough, there’s a small area on the shore where you can sit.
Just beyond the tank is an outstanding view of Las Vegas and the valley. I did not go any further as I was feeling the effects of the day’s 108 degree heat and had to turn back.
From what I was told by others on the trail that day, you’ll need to do a little more boulder hopping past the tank to reach the overlook, but it’s only a few more minutes beyond the tank.
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