It is absolutely stunning over here! This is the second time I've hiked this and I love it. It's about a 35 minute drive from the strip. There is an entry fee of $22 but they do have a discount for military. You can also make reservations online. There's plenty of parking and the entry fee includes a scenic drive as well. Make sure you come early to beat the heat and don't forget your water. Do I recommend this hike? Absolutely! What are you waiting for. read more

Calico Tanks Trail - Your REWARD! - Hiking Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

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Second time here. It is impossible to tire of this magnificent feat of nature. The trails are "fairly" arduous but I managed to do them with my two fake knees. This is a spiritual and sacred place. read more

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This trail is one of our most popular trails in Red Rock Canyon. Mainly because the question I get asked the most is "Where can we get up high and have a view?" This is the trail for those looking for a great view of Las Vegas. It is 2.2 miles up and back and most people can handle it. The Calico Tanks Trail with its exquisite sandstone was formed around 65 million years ago by the powerful Keystone Thrust fault. This created natural water pockets (tanks) for wildlife. When we get a lot of rain, these pockets fill up and the largest tank is located towards the end of the hike. I had not hiked this trail in a long time, so we went up after a weekend of rain. I mainly wanted to hike it as I wanted to see how full the big tank was and WOW it really filled up. This trail offers a little challenge with some rock climbing and scrambling. Nothing to difficult to manuever through. I love the staircase and the cool and unique rock formations heading up. The views at the top are pretty unbeatable so we sat up there a while and took in the beautiful weather and views. We got there early so we had the trail mainly to ourselves going up. On the way down a few more peeps were hiking on the trail. If you have never visited our Red Rock Canyon, I highly recommend this trail as you will love it! read more

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This is the most popular trail in the park. It was well worth 2-3 hours to calm down your soul and have close encounters of the beautiful nature of petrified dunes after crowded casino trips in Las Vegas. It's not hard as it looks. The parking is very limited so it might be a challenge. Stop and park at Calico I, then walk the trail to near parking lot near Calico II, there is a side trail to make it a complete loop. The out and back trail is about 2.6 miles with 417 ft elevation, it took us total 2.5 hours to complete including picture time. read more

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We made this hike in July, 110 degrees. Thought I was gonna die of heat exhaustion. Drank a gallon and a half of pedialyte/gatorade and still had no pee. Creatinine 7.2. JK. This trek is a minor challenge if you're in shape, and would probably be a walk-in-the-park if done in December or January. The scenery is fantastic, especially the view of Vegas at the end. Worth the time. Hydrate well before you go, and while you're going. read more

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As a novice hiker calico tank trail has it all . This trail has beautiful views and obstacles eventually getting to the top is a cool adventure and challenge. Beautiful views and challenging up the mountains i recommend some hiking shoes for better results and experience. I went with a group of three of us including me and we'd take breaks cause going up the mountain can definitely fluctuate your heart rate so go your own pace . All in all spectacular experience and reaching the top is a breath taking view of the city from the west of Vegas . A must hike ! read more

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This was a great hike for our family. My husband, 5.5 YO, and I traversed this hike in about 1.45 hours. It is a great choice for a family with younger children and offers breathtaking views of the valley and Vegas once at the top. There is a brief bit towards the very top that requires little ones to "hug the rock", but still very doable. If this is the only hike you do in Red Rock Canyon, you won't regret it!!! read more

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So close to Las Vegas on the way to Red Rock canyon perfect to come during all seasons but summer read more

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This hike was the highlight of my LV girls trip.   The trail started on gravel, then changed to sand, then changed to boulders.  I love climbing and jumping on boulders; so much fun.  There was a sketchy section right at the lake but on the way back, we found a bypass to that section by going on a higher route.  The great thing about this trail is that you can tackle the paths via various routes. The high temp for mid Oct day was 90.  We started on the trail at 8:30 and returned at 11:00.  But my friend lost her Ray Ban prescription sunglasses so we spent an extra hour asking people if they had seen it on the trail and two of us even hiked back up to the end of the gravel section to look for it.  We called it quits by noon, it was hot, about 85. Summary - The trail had great signages, short distance of 2 miles total, incline only 400 ft, challenging and technical to scrambling on boulders, rewarding views at the top, most importantly, we got some great photos on this hike. read more

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This place is a conservatory and not a park. It is still open like a park for hiking, rock climbing, and camping. The people at the visitor center are super nice and helpful. The trails are beautiful and vary in difficulty. Most of the visitors to this location are friendly. Just make sure u make a reservation online before going. They were booked on our visit and were turning ppl away who did not have reservations at the entrance gate. Be sure to bring water if hiking. Most if the trails have outhouses at the parking lot/trail head. The toilets at the visitor center are superior and especially the one outside the center as opposed to the lot. We have been on 4 trails here. The more challenging ones can be pretty difficult for inexperienced hikers like us. The easier and moderate ones are not bad. Overall this is a wonderful place to visit for quiet and natural beauty. We highly recommend it and will likely be back. We have only been in Nov and if u go in the morning and leave by noon, the temperature is wonderful at this time of year. Other months may be very hot or cold in this region depending on the season. read more

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Fun times! We went with a group of friends and had a guided tour. It was so much fun! The oaths were not too bad and the boardwalk was smooth and full of beauty. Just be careful when walking down the boardwalk and then touching the black rails. You might feel a little shock! read more

What a killer side adventure, away from the strip. We rented a car directly at Resorts World- SO easy. A super decked out Prius. Navigated a smooth drive Monday morning. Took about 25 minutes. Made a reservation online, paid $20. Watched the solar eclipse, brought a sandwich and water. It was gorgeous. Try it. You'll get as far as you will go and be happy for the sunshine and fresh air. read more

Calico Tanks Trail - Solar eclipse, view of the Luxor and Stadium - Hiking Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

One of the best hikes in Red Rock Canyon! "What?! Hiking in 104 degree temperature in Vegas? Are you crazy?!", you might ask. Well, no, you do not have to do the hike when it is 104 degrees out there! Find what time of the year is the most suitable for you (temperature wise) and then give it a try, and make sure you start earlier in the day when it is considerably cooler. With that out of the way, if you are interested in hiking, geology, prehistory and history, this is a hike for you! The scenery is amazing! You get to hike by or over red, orange, and yellow sandstone formations and there are mountains towering above you all along the way. The Calico Tank, which is really a watering hole, is located at the end of the trail and has views of Las Vegas. The trail challenging but not too hard and manageable for all skill levels. If you are visiting Vegas and need a change of pace from the strip, visiting Red Rock Canyon and hiking this trail is a wonderful option. read more

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Great hike to see the various color changes in Red Rock. It's located very closely to the entrance so start off slow so you don't miss the stop! Once you park, make sure you follow the signs to Calico Tanks, otherwise you might mistake it for the other Calico trails (which is also a nice stroll). This hike is mostly all trailed so an easy hike to do and stop at some large rock ridges for some epic photos! read more

Calico Tanks Trail - Hiking Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

This hike is short (2.7 miles) but packs a mighty punch. It combines all the elements of hiking that I love. The trail begins with a walk through a wash. You slowly climb over flat rock surfaces that surround a small stream and pools of water. As the climb continues there are some stairs made from local rock followed by a climb over some bolder rocks. Most of the elevation gain is near the end of the trail. The view at the top is breath taking and exceeds a typical 500 ft elevation gain climb. read more

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It's a must go,see, and explore. This was out second time and it didn't disappoint. The distance back and forth is relatively short. But the route is very unique and for an average tourist, not an avid hiker, I consider it challenging. You have to have good shoes as ankle and side wall support is very important to ensure proper balance and control. Anyway, be prepared to crawl on fours a few times ascending or descending as the height changes require you to do so. A very few can leap or jump! At the end of the trail you are rewarded with spectacular views of the Vegas Valley, the City-Strip, and the nearby Red Rock mountains. I love the trail. Round trip is ~2 hours. read more

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Located about a 7min drive after entering the park ($15 fee/vehicle). Recommend stopping a bit at Calico I-II first to appreciate the red rocks up close. From there, it's about a 5min drove to Sandstone Quarry Parking Lot, which is the start of the trailhead. This hike itself takes about 2-2.5 hour. The hike itself is beautiful with many photogenic spots and probably one of my favorite trails I've done. Once you get to the end, you'll get a great view of the Nevada and the Las Vegas Strip. I wouldn't recommend this trail to individuals with mobility issues as a significant portion of the trail requires ascending loose rocks so make sure to have a good pair of hiking shoes. We went in the middle of January and the weather was a perfect 50s. I would recommend layering as it can be hotter in the sun and much cooler on the shade. There are actually many areas with snow and ice. read more

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This hike is really hard!! But totally worth it once you get to the top. Views are stunning! We came here to get some exercise one afternoon before dinner: pre-work out to pig out. lol. Parking lot was a bit full, so we parked on the side of the street with a bunch of other cars. Luckily it wasn't a super hot day, so the lack of shade did not bother us. In fact it was overcast, so it was nice and cool. The climb up to the top was not easy, I was huffing and puffing for a while. I also ran into a snake who totally hissed at me, that was scary. There was alot of bugs and critters, so do be careful. The trail was not super busy, I only carried a small bottle of water and that was plenty, I would recommend carrying alot more on a hot day. We definitely burned alot of calories and enjoyed the hike. Highly recommend. read more

Calico Tanks Trail - Hiking Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

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This hike was the highlight of my second time visiting Red Rock National Park. The hike was very colorful and at this time of year, the weather and temperature were just right to complete the hike in just around 2 hours. The trail is well defined and there are trail markers every so often that let you know you're on the path to the summit. As long as you're keeping an eye out for them, you can't miss them! The rock formations are really something else, and I was taking pictures the whole time. Just prior to the summit, you'll find the tanks, which depending on the time of year, may or may not have water. There wasn't much water when I went, but it's still neat to see even if it is low. My hiking partner and I reached the summit in about 40 mins, as we stopped many times to take pictures along the way up. We spent a good time at the summit taking in the views of the valley and Vegas in the distance. Just a word of caution; while this isn't a very technically challenging hike, there is some climbing required here and there. It is mostly a moderate incline as you make your way to the summit, but it's a nice downhill hike when you go back to the trailhead. There are plenty of spots to rest along the way and drink water, which I highly recommend you bring as well. Don't forget your trail snacks too! Really enjoyed this hike and would recommend it to anyone that has a few hours on their hands and is looking to touch some rocks. read more

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The red rocks was gorgeous and of course, we had to do the popular Calico Tanks trail after circling a million times for parking. Its a short hike, about 2.5 miles round trip, but there's lots of climbing towards the middle/end with a gorgeous view of the rocks and the Strip at the top. If you get lost easily, there are some signs to help guide you. Definitely bring some hiking shoes because it could be pretty easy to slip. I loved seeing the changing colors of the rocks - definitely a different view every step you take! At the top, there was some people who brought a whole picnic so that's a good idea for the future! read more

It was a brisk 29 degree morning in the Las Vegas area, snow covered the mountains, ice covered the water, and the Sun was shining. This was my second Hike that I took in Las Vegas which is considered a moderate hike with 400ft elevation. I took my two friends who had never been hiking and are bigger dudes like me thinking it would be a great challenge for us and awesome calorie burner! Well, it was and also an incredible journey with a beautiful ending. If you want to see giant red rocks that you can climb all over off the path, this is the place for you. Someone described this place as a choose your own adventure and they were absolutely right! We went off trail at least half a dozen times to explore cool areas and the views were breathtaking! There is some climbing involved and a few steep areas that arent for the faint of heart. But in the end, you will find a magical little body of water thats pretty where you can rest and look at the beautiful landscape of Red Rock Canyon. read more

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When traveling to Red Rock please check on whether timed entry passes are required or if they are waived. Once inside it's a relatively short driving distance to the Calico Tanks Trail. I'd suggest to go there at a time there a fewer cars in the lot. The hike itself is awesome. It's a medium level hike in Red Rock. Such a great experience. Keep it mind that it's not an easy hike. But don't give up. It's wonderful at the end. read more

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This is my favorite hike so far at Red Rock Canyon! It's about 2.2 mile hike round trip. During the spring you'll be able to see water in some parts of the hike. It has a great view going up and once you get to the top it's even a better view! I love how the hike has different terrains. Stairs, uphills, downhill, flat ground. You will get a great workout out of it! Just a tip, make sure you veer toward the right, if not you'll end up doing another hike called the turtle head trail. Overall this hike is definitely worth it! read more

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What a fun trail! You get to scramble and climb up into the sandstone and red rocks. At the top was a natural tank of water, but it think the trail itself was more impressive. You start off flat walking through the rocks. Before long you have to start climbing up small boulders and flights of stairs made out of sandstone. Can be a little strenuous on the ascent if you weren't expecting it. But it is very fun.. and beautiful! Ot was raining and hailing when we went. We didn't have any issues because we had good tread, but I could see it being slippy if you didnt. read more

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I absolutely LOVED this trail as far as the beauty and scenery. It was very crowded which I guess comes with the nature of being a super popular park minutes away from the city, but I wish I had a little more privacy on the trek up so I wasn't constantly waiting for people to get out of the way or having people on my tail the whole time. BUT, I'm sure if I picked the right time and day I could really enjoy the trail to myself. At the end, I wandered off and found a really cool overlook spot and had my own space for about 30 minutes which was really nice. I think this will be a regular trail for me because it's so gorgeous and was not too difficult physically. read more

Calico Tanks Trail - Hiking Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

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The trail is medium hard. You need to be able to do bouldering and scrambling. There are some areas of the trail that are not well marked. Some of the trail heads are hard to find. It is all worth it if you love exploring and hiking. read more

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What a crazy experience. Don't put in the address on Yelp. Just google maps Calico Tanks Trail. It'll save you. I was expecting a nice moderate 2.2 mile hike, in-n-out within 2.5 hrs. However, we never found the trail head because of the address on Yelp. And by the time you get out to that area, I doubt anyone will have any signal. Since I couldn't look up where the trail head actually was (and I probably should have done my homework), I ended up in calico basin, at the start of another trail head. The actual trail head, we later found out, is arrived at through the middle of Scenic Loop Dr, which had a long line of cars waiting to get in probably because you have to pay the fee at the beginning of the road. Don't be crazy like us: we ended up trekking from the Kraft Mountain Loop to the Calico Tanks Trail. To and back took us about 5 hours. We were terribly under-prepared for that hike because of food, water, and time. If you are hiking in the dead of winter, please plan accordingly and get out before 4:30pm. It will be way too dark to hike after that. The actual Calico Tanks Trail that we hiked was sandy and flat at first, but quickly progressed to rocks of all shapes and sizes mounted on top of one another in an orderly madness. The trail itself will be hard to determine at times, but the direction you will need to climb will be obvious. One way or another, you will wind up at the tank, which had absolutely no water this year. You could tell that it held water once, like an emptied out water bottle that has gotten dusty from not having been refilled in awhile. If you venture just a bit farther from the tank, you'll be treated to a vast view of the canyon. The way back down is just as slippery, so make sure you keep your wits about you and watch your way back down. You will probably lose the trail many times, but as long as you head in that direction, you'll quickly meet up with it again. Again, if you haven't done this hike before, just make sure you go to Scenic Loop Dr, pay the fee, and don't go too late! read more

Calico Tanks Trail - Dry tank - Hiking Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

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Really beautiful trail with amazing rock formations on both sides. Hubby and I went on the rocks by the trail and climbed up to the top. The view is amazing from the top ! read more

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This is definitely not for the crybabies. It takes a little bit of elbow grease and knee oil to complete this hike. Make sure to bring,Jesus,self endurance,plenty of water and a hiking buddy. If you have all items on that checklist then you're all good. Definitely a beautiful hike indeed and worth the work you will put in because of all the rewarding serene scenic atmosphere of the Lords creation you will witness and surely enjoy read more

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Probably my favorite scenic trail at Red Rock. You get beautiful views of the red rocks the length of the trail and at the end you're treated to a distant view of Las Vegas. It's pretty breathtaking. This trail is not good for people with knee problems or those that are looking for a flat trail. There's lots of elevation! read more

Calico Tanks Trail - We made it! - Hiking Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

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Just when I think I've done all the hikes at Red Rock, I realize I've overlooked this one. Or perhaps I just mixed it up with Calico Basin or Calico Hills. Either way, it's similar to a couple of other trails, in that it has the same great RR views and good elevation gain, but the end point is the "tanks", a pit formation that likely would be filled with water if this weren't a desert. Despite going on a rainy morning, it was still dry, so don't get your hopes up. This trail shoots off of the route for Turtlehead Peak and is rated "moderate" by the RR guide. We found it to be fairly easy- lots of rock stairs and some light scrambling that gets more difficult as you ascend, but nothing strenuous. Not sure I'd recommend it for dogs or children. We were up within an hour even taking our time picking up litter and taking pictures of frogs. The best part about this trail was getting it all to ourselves until the way down. The lot was deserted at 8AM and started filling up by the time we left, shortly before 10, so go early for the best experience. TIP: I hear there's a way to access this trail without entering RR, essentially doing the route in reverse. Haven't tried it myself yet, Bird and Hike site should have more info. read more

Calico Tanks is a moderate 2.5 mile out and back hike at Red Rock Canyon. To get to the trailhead, take the Scenic Drive to the 3rd parking area, Sandstone Quarry, and hike the trail that goes out from the west end of the parking lot by the wooden fence posts. There is about 500 foot elevation gain/loss. Some of the trail is packed gravel, some is soft sand, some is made up of large rocks that make you watch your footing carefully, and some of the hike is going over sandstone. In short, this hike has a little something of every kind of terrain. And, if you're lucky, you'll see some water in the tanks (natural depressions or erosion of the sandstone) that hold water until it evaporates. After you start hiking, you'll pass an historically significant area where there once was a quarrying operation in the early 1900s. Stop and look at the blocks abandoned there around 1913 and read the interpretive marker about "The Big Devil." From here the hike crosses a double wash and then continues until you reach a fork in the trail and Calico Tanks goes off to the right. You'll come around the back of the sandstone you see in the parking lot and you enter a canyon with sandstone walls on both sides. The trail is fairly evident most of the way. There are a few places that people have placed cairns to help guide you. As long as you're going up the canyon, you'll be OK. The worst that can happen is you get yourself in an area where you're stuck on a ledge. You may have to retrace your steps and go the other side of the sandy area, The payoff is reaching the large tank at the end of the trail. Today, January 1, 2011, there was a large amount of water in the tank from our recent rains. The top had a good coating of ice. Enjoy the tank which is dry most of the year. Then head a little more east and you'll get to an overlook where you can see the Las Vegas Valley. There are two routes to accomplish this: 1) go along the base of the tank and climb the rocks up the small chute on the opposite side; or, 2) when you reach the tank, stay high on the hill on the right and boulder scramble along a path that leads you to the same area. Take what you find easiest. This is a good place to have a snack and to do some exploring. Retrace your steps to the parking area. Before you get back to the trail junction with the Turtlehead Peak trail, you'll see and interpretive marker on your right hand side. This is for an Indian roasting pit. It's a mound beyond the marker where they cooked their food using the agave plant which is common in Red Rock. Make sure you see this historical spot, too! TIP: This is one of the most popular trails at Red Rock Canyon, so if you go on a weekend, get there early as the parking lot fills up quickly. I have put the GPS tracks on EveryTrail at this link: http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=921688 Happy hiking! read more

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Wonderful out and back trail. Some elevation gain but well worth the effort. When you make it to the top of the saddle there is a beautiful view to the east with Vegas in the back ground read more

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Great hike if you want something scenic and not too strenuous. I was here again yesterday and there were actually some water pools from last week's rain. There are spots on the trail that involve climbing over rocks and up stone stairs as well as some narrow areas where you really have to hug the rock walls lest you fall but those are the only two challenges that I'd warn you about. If you make it to the end, you'll be rewarded with pretty views of the Vegas valley, including the Strip. Set aside about two hours to do the whole thing without rushing, which includes time to enjoy the views and have a snack. #LeaveNoTrace read more

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Absolutely love mountains and I was indecisive of which mountain to visit. I 100% don't regret coming here. They have a scenic drive which is pretty cool, of course I hiked it for the full experience and it was great. Only advice I will give is that if it's your first time doing this, make sure you have a plan when it begins to get dark. It is extremely easy to get lost once the sun goes down and you will have no connection until you're back at the visitors center. read more

My favorite trail. Great views and a really nice spot to go for a day out. Along the trail are some really nice rock formations so if you want to see some natural beauty it is here. I would say this is more advanced so don't bring anyone not wanting to get a good sweat in. As always, come prepared with some water and snacks along the way. read more

A nice moderate hike with great views at the end as a reward. Make sure to wear hiking shoes, long sleeve shirt and pants, and gloves because there are uneven terrain, rock scrambling, and shrubs on the trail. Look for the stone steps that are along the trail to keep you on track. This trail is suitable for intermediate hikers. read more

Calico Tanks Trail - Hiking Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

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It's not free! You have to pay to get in! Alway people don't know how to drive here. Always slowing down in the middle of the road to take videos or pictures! Honk honk then the slow drivers get road rage! read more

Since moving here from Hawaii 4 years ago, this has been the only hike I've done in Vegas. It's not as scenic as Hawaii beaches and/or mountains so that's the only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars. Granted, I really cannot compare Hawaii hikes to that of desert hikes. Alas, this hike is great in that it's very cool in the Spring. I recommend NOT coming here in the Summer, unless you like "hiking in Hell." IF you do come during the summertime, come very VERY early in the morning to avoid the high 100 degree temps. Obviously. The hike itself is easy in that I've taken my 7 y/o niece here to hike once. She loved it. My roomies have, also, taken his 2 y/o pup up here. We've done the hike in around 2 hours up and down. The views are spectacular. Red mountains and a view of The Strip. It's definately nice to do something DIFFERENT in Vegas other than go drinking and/or clubbing. The one thing I really despise about this hike is all the sand. Wearing low socks was a big mistake on my part. Every 30 mins or so, I'd stop and take out all the sand from my shoes and socks. It was so tedious. I recommend wearing high socks or knee highs should you try this hike. read more

Calico Tanks Trail - Vegas Strong - Hiking Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

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This trail proved to be a challenge with a few areas of light rock scrambling. Fun hike with great payoff at the end, a view that overlooks Redrock and a distant view of the strip! Though the path is marked it does allow you to explore off path with ease to take in the spectacular views. We found so many places that were just a few steps off path that were perfect vantage points. Suggest wearing sturdy shoes for the rocks which do have sandy areas and can be slick. Would not recommend this trail for those with extremely young children as some areas could be difficult for them. The tanks themselves were a little lower than we expected based on photos however seasonally they fill with rainfall from what we were told. Didn't change the awesome view. Natural stairs as well as constructed ones make for great challenge and awesome photo opportunities!! I did a full video blog of this hike and it was awesome how much you notice watching after that you missed the first time being overwhelmed by the beauty!! read more

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