Although we had gone to the Red Rock scenic loop many times, we had not been aware of this little gem until less than a month before this posting. We were frustrated to find there were no trails where we could take a younger child in a stroller, and that was when we did a bit of digging and found out we had often passed the road that held the answer to what we were looking for. Situated on the opposite side of the mountain as the scenic loop, Red Springs is a small and delightful boardwalk trail with good views of the mountains, the Red Spring, and a small meadow area. It also has a shaded picnic area with grills and benches along the boardwalk and makes for a nice day trip if you only have an hour or two in an afternoon. Not only is this area ideal for picnicking or strolling, the area also serves as a trail head for several other Red Rock trails, such as the Calico Hills loop.
Driver’s Report:
From Highway 159 (Charleston Boulevard in town) look for a sign for Calico Springs Rd. on the right before you get to the regular Red Rock Conservation Area. After passing a few ranches, Red Springs is easy to find since it is at the end of the road and straight in front of you just before it winds up into a subdivision. There is ample parking for the size of the area.
Wheels report:
The Red Springs boardwalk trail is perfect for wheelchairs and strollers. There is a somewhat steep ramp to get up to the main trail half-mile loop, but after that it is level. There is also ample accessible parking. There is no bike rack, which is quite surprising being a trailhead and a popular bike area.
Kids report:
No play facilities. The boardwalk is perfect for children of any age and has interpretive signage along the route as well as benches. It’s also reasonably short, so it’s great for first time explorers! Bathrooms are primitive. Closest changing tables are at the bathroom facilities on the scenic loop near the Visitor’s Center or at the businesses off of Charleston.
General Tips: Red Spring is a sensitive biological area, so it is very important to stay on the boardwalk or on marked trails while in the area. As always when picnicking in this region, be aware of local fire restrictions before venturing out. This is a great place for a relaxing stroll and a place to enjoy the mountains without the frustration of finding a parking spot, although because of its easy access, some of the petroglyphs in the area have been irreversibly vandalized, which is regrettable. Park Hours are from dawn to sunset.
Tech Report:
Regular cell phone service is available in most areas of the park, but data is less reliable. We have Sprint 3G and data is sporadic at best. (If you have had better luck, feel free to email us and we’ll add it to the report.) There are plenty of free wifi options along Charleston Blvd. ten minutes away. (Dunkin’ Donuts, Starbucks, etc…)
Web Report:
Here are some other good online resources to help plan your trip.
Hiking: http://www.birdandhike.com/Hike/Red_Rocks/Trailheads/Red_Spring/_RedSpring.htm
Biking: http://www.bikinglasvegas.com/
General info and weather: http://www.redrockcanyonlv.org/
Official: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/lvfo/blm_programs/blm_special_areas/red_rock_nca/recreation/picnicing.html