Red Rock Canyon Hiking Trails

Scenic Drive Vicinity

BE PREPARED

Carry water on your hike, at least a gallon per person per day in the summer.

Let someone know where you will be hiking. There is a voluntary hiker's registration at the Visitor Center.

Dress appropriately; wear footwear suitable for hiking and consider wearing a hat.

Be aware of the weather. Mountain thunderstorms can cause flash flooding in the canyons and nearby washes.

PLEASE, if you pack it in, pack it out and dispose of properly.

Moenkopi Loop: This trail starts between the south end of the Tortoise Habitat and the weather monitoring equipment. Triassic fossils and various desert flora can be seen on this open country trail. In addition, there are connecting trails to Calico Hills Trail. (2 mile loop, Easy).

Calico Hills: This Trail runs along the base of the Calico Rocks from Calico Basin to Sandstone Quarry. The distance is variable and can be accessed at either end or from either of the two Calico parking areas. A side trail runs from the Fee Booth Parking lot and connects with this trail. (Distance variable, easy to moderate).

Calico Tanks: From Sandstone Quarry follow the trail north to just past the Agave roasting pit display. Take the trail head just beyond the display to the right, up a side canyon, aim for the notch at the back of the canyon, to a large natural water tank (Tinaja). You can go beyond the Tinaja to the notch, but don't beyond it. Stop and turn around, come back the way you came. (2.2 miles round trip, moderately strenuous, some rock scrambling).

Turtlehead Peak: From Sandstone Quarry follow the trail north over a narrow rise and into a wash, out of the wash and along a trail for a short distance along the northwest side of Turtlehead peak. scramble up a ravine to the saddle and follow the steep ridge to the top. The trail is intermittent and composed of loose rock. (5 miles round trip, very strenuous).

Keystone Thrust: From the upper White Rock Springs parking lot take the trail north across the wash, and up the hill. The Keystone Thrust trail "Ts" off the La Madre Springs trail to the right approximately 1/4 mile from the parking lot. Take the trail to the right up the stairs. It then joins a old jeep road, continuing up the hill to the left. The trail goes over a low ridge and down into a small canyon, onto the Keystone Thrust Fault where the gray limestone meets the red and tan sandstone. (2.2 miles round trip, moderate hike).

White Rock to Willow Springs: From the White Rock Springs upper parking lot take the trail on the west side of the parking lot. Follow it to where it splits, the trail to the right goes down to a guzzler (man made water hole). The trail to the left is the route to Willow Springs. Follow this trail down hill and through the wash. From there the trail climbs over a ridge and drops you into the Lost Creek area (2 miles). From there it is only a short distance to Willow Springs. Starting from Willow Springs, just reverse the previous instructions (4.4 miles round trip, easy to moderate hike).

White Rock/La Madre Springs Loop: This trail can be started at White Rock Springs, and can be done either direction. Our suggestion is, start at Willow Springs. Take the Willow Springs Loop Trail south. When you come to a fork with a sign reading "White Rock Springs 2.2 miles" take the trail to the left going up hill. Follow the trail to White Rock upper parking lot and follow the trail east from the lot. When the trail forks, go left and follow the trail to where it intersects an old dirt road. Follow that road down hill to where it forks, turn left onto the road continuing down hill. This will take you back into Willow Springs. (6 miles round trip, moderate).

Lost Creek Children's Discovery Trail: From the Lost Creek parking area, take the trail to the right. The Willow Springs Loop intersects this trail and shares it until it splits off at site #3 Continue on the loop until just beyond Site #5, another path breaks off going uphill, to a seasonal waterfall, go in and come back out the same way. Continue on the loop to the parking lot. (0.7 miles round trip, easy).

Willow Springs Loop: From the parking lot, follow the trail by the pit toilets south. This takes you past pictographs and Agave roasting pits, to the Lost Creek Parking lot. Take the trail to the right to where the two trails fork, at site#3 Take the trail to the right, up the hill, down the hill, across the wash, and into the Willow Springs Parking lot. Part of this trails paved and is readily accessible from the parking lot. (1.5 miles round trip, easy).

La Madre Springs: From the Willow Springs parking lot, take the dirt road west up the canyon Cross the wash and go to the right when the road splits. Continue uphill to the dam, then follow the foot trail to the springs, return to Willow Springs the same way. (3 miles round trip, moderate).

Rocky Gap Road/Top of the Escarpment Trail: From Willow Springs parking lot, take Rocky Gap Road north across the wash to where the road splits. Take the left fork to the summit, (5 miles). Take the unmarked trail on the left (south) side of the road. This trail will lead you out onto North Peak, Bridge Mountain and other areas on the Escarpment. (14 miles round trip, strenuous).

Smyca Trail: This trail can be accessed from either Lost Creek or Ice Box Trail. It follows the terrain at the base of the Escarpment and connects the two trails mentioned above. (2.2 miles round trip, moderate).

Ice Box Canyon: From the parking lot, take the trail down across the wash and up toward the canyon. The trail is well defined as it leads you up the side of the canyon. Approximately 3/4 of a mile in, the trail drops you into the bottom of the canyon. From this point the trail becomes a route over or around boulders as it continues up stream. The official trail ends at the large Pinion Pine Tree in the bottom of the canyon. (2.5 miles round trip). If you go to the upper pool filled by the seasonal waterfall, this requires some tricky wall scrambling, it is 3 miles round trip. Return to the parking lot the same way. (Moderately strenuous).

Dale's Trail: This trail can be accessed from either Ice Box Trail or Pine Creek Trail. It follows the terrain at the base of the Escarpment and connects the two above mentioned trails. (4.4 miles round trip, moderate).

Pine Creek Canyon: From the parking lot, take the trail down hill and follow it toward the canyon. The trail is intersected twice by the Fire Ecology Trail and by Dale's Trail on the way to the foundation of the old Wilson homestead. At the foundation the trail forks to either side. This part of the trail is a loop and is easier to follow to the left. Take the trail down hill, across a stream, up hill, to the intersection of the ARNIGHT Trail. Continue on the trail crossing the wash, eventually returning you to the main trail on the opposite side of the homestead. Follow the trail back to the parking lot. (2.9 miles round trip, moderate).

Fire Ecology Trail: This is a double loop trail, accessed via the Pine Creek Trail. The trail exits and enters the Pine Creek Trail on the south side of the trail. Take the trail to the left while heading toward the escarpment, follow it across a bridge and over a rise to enter the second loop, Come back across the same bridge and turn left, follow trail back to the Pine Creek Trail. (.75 miles round trip, easy).

Oak Creek Canyon Trail: The new Oak Creek Turn-out is accessible via the Scenic Loop Drive. This trail leaves the parking area next to the bulletin board. The trail will take you across the open desert to the mouth of Oak Creek Canyon. (2 miles round trip, easy). The old Oak Creek Trail that leads in from the campgrounds meets the new one at that point, (5 miles round trip, moderate).

ARNIGHT Trail: The ARNIGHT trail connects the new Old Creek parking lot with the end loop on Pine Creek Trail. This trail starts in the new Oak Creek parking lot, across from the Oak Creek Trail Head. You start on the desert floor and head toward the escarpment gaining elevation until it joins the Pine Creek Trail just above the loop junction. Approximately 1/2 mile before the trail connects with Pine Creek, another trail called the Knoll Trail intersects it on the left. (2.4 miles round trip, moderate).

Knool Trail: This trail runs between the upper section of the ARNIGHT Trail and the point where the two Oak Creek Trails come together. This trail follows the base of the escarpment and will eventually connect with First Creek Trail. (1.9 miles one way, easy to moderate). You can combine this trail with the New Oak Creek and ARNIGHT Trails for a 3.5 miles round trip, moderate hike.

First Creek Canyon Trail: From the Scenic Loop Drive exit, take Charleston Blvd (SR159), south for 2.6 miles to the First Creek Trail Head. Park your vehicle and take the trail to the mouth of the canyon. The trail follows the left side of the canyon for a distance; some rock climbing is required thereafter. Seasonal waterfalls can be found in the canyon. (3-5 miles round trip, moderately strenuous).

Grand Circle Adventure: Start this trail from the Fee Booth parking area toward the Calico Hills Trail and onto Sand Stone Quarry. Follow the signs through the Sandstone Quarry area and onto the White Rock Springs upper parking lot. From there, follow the trail down the hill toward Willow Springs. At the top of the ridge just before the trail drops down into the Willow Springs area, take the trail to the left, cross the Scenic Loop Drive and continue down hill to the Visitor Center, fresh water and bathrooms. (11 miles round trip, strenuous).

Escarpment Base Trail: This trail is composed of the SMYCA, Dale's and ARNIGHT trails and would be a good one way hike or the more adventurous could make it a round tripper. The one way version would require parking a vehicle in Lost Creek and car pooling down to the New Oak Creek Parking area. (5.2 miles one way, moderate). The round trip version could be done from either end. (10.4 miles round trip, strenuous).

Overlook Trail: This is a paved path leading to the top of a small hill behind the helicopter pad. This path is easily accessible from the parking lot and provides a marvelous view of Red Rock Canyon and the escarpment (.25 miles round trip, easy to moderate).

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