Calico Hills
Calico Hills
4.5
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4.5
40 reviews
Excellent
19
Very good
19
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1
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0
Terrible
1
kencatron
Las Vegas, NV1,769 contributions
Nov 2011 • Couples
This is the first stop on the scenic drive of Red Rock Canyon and is typically very busy. It is definitely worth stopping. There is lots of options for this hike. You can merely follow the trail - it is an extremely easy walk - or you can scramble on the boulders and explore the fissures, cracks, and crevices. To get away from most of the hikers, I would suggest walking the riverbed below the trail and wandering up the hill. You can climb as far as you're comfortable and get tremendous views.
The hike itself isn't very long, but you can spend as much time as you'd like here if you want to climb and explore. We spent almost three hours and didn't leave the vicinity of the parking lot.
It's usually very busy here and on the weekends the park normally provides parking lot proctors to monitor and guide the traffic.
The hike itself isn't very long, but you can spend as much time as you'd like here if you want to climb and explore. We spent almost three hours and didn't leave the vicinity of the parking lot.
It's usually very busy here and on the weekends the park normally provides parking lot proctors to monitor and guide the traffic.
Written 9 November 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kat0425
Raleigh, NC500 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
I think you can access the hills from the first 2 or 3 stops along the scenic drive. On my first trip to Red Rock, I just took pictures from the roadside. This time I took the Calico Tanks trail from the 3rd stop, which was about 2.5 miles round trip. The first section was gravel and sand, followed by small rocks and then very large rocks. The terrain kept changing, which kept it interesting. In the beginning the trail was very obvious, but once we were scrambling up the large rocks it was difficult to know which was the best direction to go. When I made it to what I guessed was the end, I had a view of Las Vegas in the distance as well as the visitor center and the scenic drive road. The view was worth it. This hike was a steep in sections and did not have shade, but the most challenging part was climbing over the rocks without a clear path.
Written 31 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KateJourney
Exeter, Canada171 contributions
Sept 2015
When I took a morning to head out to Calico Basin on my last day of my first trip to Vegas, I was pleasantly surprised to visit the Calico Basin Red Springs area, where an oasis is protected with boardwalks you may walk along to see the flora and fauna - yes, lizards and desert flowers. Took my breath away more than the LV strip ever could!
Written 2 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SandJbusytravelers
Seattle294 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
As another traveler noted, we also ended up hiking in the Calico Hills after driving through Red Rocks and not finding a parking spot near any of the trails. It's free to enjoy and had plenty of parking on a Tuesday morning in March. We went past the picnic area and parked in a lot further up the road. The trails here are a bit haphazardly marked, but that just made our journey unique. Lots of rock climbers with their equipment. Would definitely recommend a stop.
Written 5 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BostonExplorer32
Boston, MA103 contributions
Feb 2020
A recently upgraded boardwalk that's wheelchair accessible takes you around the basin with beautiful views of multi-colored rock formations and excellent signage explaining the history, geology, and animal life. There are also more demanding trails, as well as bouldering for the more adventurous. Clean bathrooms and shaded picnic tables off parking lot. Well-marked right turn off Red Rock Canyon Road, about a mile before you get to the Visitor Center. No fee. Worth a visit.
Written 24 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike O
Las Vegas, NV3,881 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
If you want to avoid the often crowded and pricey Rex Rock Canyon take the Calico Basin turn off. You find a smaller version that's free. You can still do some amazing hiking in some spectacular rock formations and a short boardwalk around some natural springs.
Written 10 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CTBCalifornia
Groveland, CA1,924 contributions
Jan 2018 • Solo
There are LOTS of hiking trails here, and several natural springs that create habitat for birds and lizards and frogs and more, and it is FREE. Plus the Calico Hills road is just 2 miles from the quite expensive entry fee Red Rock Conservation Area.
Kraft Mountain. It is easy to lose the trail, beware of side trails that climbers use to access rock walls and boulders.
Kraft Mountain. It is easy to lose the trail, beware of side trails that climbers use to access rock walls and boulders.
Written 8 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tiffany K
Bozeman, MT200 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
We took the last right called Calico basin drive (or something similar) before the Red Rocks park entrance, and at the end of the road there is a place to park with an excellent trail off the right parking lot entrance. There is bouldering at the foot of the mountain, and a canyon hike with lots of birds in the early evening. The colors of the rocks were outstanding, pink rocks with burgundy spots and stripes, deep orange red rocks, gold sandstone,etc. Just beautiful, best at morning time or late afternoon/early evening to avoid overheating.
Written 24 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
njkuhr
North Las Vegas, NV146 contributions
Apr 2015 • Solo
I loved this area. Will definitely be back to hike more trails. There are so many. I need extra time cause I take so many pictures.
Written 8 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom
Maple Grove, MN2,027 contributions
Dec 2020 • Couples
Easy to view from the highway, or pay to enter the park and get an up close of the rocks. Several spots along the rock wall, as well as hiking options.
Written 5 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'm reading about a ghost town along with trails, but it looks like the trails are close to Red Rock in NV; the ghost town is another hour away in CA.
Is this the case?
Written 30 March 2017
I'm not aware of a ghost town at Calico Hills but I can't vouch for all of Red Rocks.
Written 1 April 2017
Hola.. Es facil llegar a Cálico?? Cuantos horas se tarda? Hay pavimento o es camino de ripio?
Written 30 December 2015
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