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    Calico Tanks Trail

    4.7 (88 reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Calico Tanks Trail Photos

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    I found this cool hiding cave up high!
    Renee N.

    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!

    18 year old legs don't get tired.
    Mike P.

    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.

    View from the end of the trail
    Jacqueline P.

    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!!!

    Calico tank
    Dome G.

    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 !

    Marta P.

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

    Back to back
    Connie W.

    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.

    Ron R.

    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.

    Solar eclipse, view of the Luxor and Stadium
    Heidi A.

    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.

    Afshin A.

    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.

    Thuy Dan T.

    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!

    Holly D.

    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.

    Shawn A.

    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.

    Jonathan C.

    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.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Calico Tanks Trail

    Review Highlights - Calico Tanks Trail

    This was my second Hike that I took in Las Vegas which is considered a moderate hike with 400ft elevation.

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    Love Hikes

    Love Hikes

    5.0
    (20 reviews)
    14.6 mi

    If you love hiking, natural beauty, or want to get some great outdoor exercise while experiencing…read morethe opposite of what Vegas offers a tourist, I can 100% guarantee you'll love Love Hikes too. I sure do. I've done three Love Hikes hikes over the last three years, Valley of Fire Intense twice and Red Rock Moderate once. I could see planning my next Las Vegas visit around doing two or three of their hikes. What makes Love Hikes so great? * Great guides who know all the trails like the backs of their hands, are listening to you and will find a route that works for you. When I asked for the intensity to be tuned up on the Intense hike - that's what I got. A thrilling and challenging experience with a guide who showed me how to do what I would have thought of as beyond me. And when I wanted a moderate scrambling experience, I got exactly that. * Owners, Roberta and Jacob, Las Vegas Natives, who deeply care that their guests have a great experience and will do anything they reasonably can to provide one. * The assurance that while the environment may be unfamiliar and challenging (middle of the desert) you'll be with well trained people who exactly what they are doing and who will make sure you have a great, and safe, experience. * Incredibly reasonable pricing for the beauty, thrills, challenge (if you choose a moderate or above hike), and incredible convenience. * Pro tip: If you love taking video (guilty!!) and are on a moderate or above hike, make sure you have a hat or body mount since the parts you'll want to video most will require using two hands. Most recommended!

    Ok, a bit of an embarrassing but Nick 100% deserves it. I decided to go on a last hike with my…read moreGerman Shepherd, solo. We went on the Ice Box trail, and we were doing well, reached to the top, hung out with other hikers, and descended down. That's when trouble started... we lost our way and went totally off trail for about 1-1.5 hour and half. I had no cell service, and the trail kept getting more remote. After some time, I decided to backtrack and started yelling for help. Thankfully!!! Nick heard me and led me out of where I am. I am so so grateful to have walked by him on my descent and ran into him again when I got lost. He let me join his group to walk back safely and I felt so much relief and gratitude. Next time I hike, I definitely will reach out to Nick instead of going by myself and 1,000 % recommend him.

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    Love Hikes
    Love Hikes
    Love Hikes

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    Grand Staircase

    Grand Staircase

    4.9
    (7 reviews)
    2.1 mi

    I was invited by friends to complete this hike today the first day of the new year and new decade…read more(1.1.20). I was excited to complete this hike as I have decided to complete a hiking challenge for this year and this would be hike number one. We promptly met at 9:00am in the Red Springs parking lot and begin our ascent up this so called staircase. There really is no set trail or staircase at all but lots of climbing and scrambling over and through large rocks. You just have to go with someone who has done it before and will guide you up the safest route possible. Luckily my friends complete this hike annually. I wasn't sure that I could handle this climb, but turns out that I was much stronger that I thought. It is strenuous at times and the cardio workout is real, but the reward at the top is so worth it. The views are epic from viewing the entire Red Rock Canyon and seeing way out toward Mt. Potosi. In the other direction seeing through Brownstone Canyon up to Mt. Charleston Peak. This hike also includes some stunning views of our beautiful city. I can only imagine how pretty it would be up here at sunset, but never mind going down would be way to challenging. Remember to Leave No Trace - Keep our public lands clean! #52HikeChallenge - #1

    I wanted to go on an adventure this weekend and that I did. I left Central Vegas around 5:15AM and…read moreheaded towards Red Rock Canyon. It was super light traffic at this time on a Sunday so I made it to the Red Springs turnoff at 6AM on the dot. There isn't a clearly marked route so I recommend you go with someone who has done this before. If you go alone, when in doubt, head up! Be careful of loose rocks and wear sturdy shoes. The view from the top is beautiful and overlooks the scenic loop and the strip. You can see the contrast of the city and the mountains. It's stunning and colorful. Bring a light snack, water, and your phone for pictures. It's not a long hike, maybe 30 minutes each direction, but it is moderate and tricky in some spots.

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    At the top!
    At the top!
    View from the top.
    View from the top.
    Looking towards Charleston Peak

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    Looking towards Charleston Peak
    Late Night Trailhead

    Late Night Trailhead

    4.6
    (23 reviews)
    9.9 mi

    Nice trails off the main highway on the way from Vegas to pahrump that are free to access and do…read morehave a restroom. The trails go for a bit and have beautiful views of the mountains all around. Overall, the trails are pretty flat and are in the easier side, with lots of grave/rocks though. Much of the hike is in direct sun, so be prepared for that if coming mid-day. The rubber ducky trail is off of here where you can see the tree decorated with rubber ducks. It's a bit silly, but is a fun draw for the area.

    Wow, what a wonderful trailhead! Note that this trailhead is in the middle of nowhere before you…read morereach Pahrump, so there is absolutely no cellphone reception in the area. This is a great trailhead for those that are new to hiking or just love hiking in general. The trails are mostly flat that loops around (5 miles total) and you have amazing Mountain View's all around. It was really windy that day so because of this we didn't hike the whole 5 miles. Though I was wearing the appropriate shoes and had a full bottle of water and walking sticks on me, I still felt like I wasn't really prepared for this trail, since I had my hands full and I did not have a backpack on me. Though I live in Henderson, making the 30+ minute drive out of the city to hike Late Night was definitely worth it! While it was windy overall, the temperature wasn't too hot or too cold to hike.

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    Late Night Trailhead
    Amazing mountain view
    Amazing mountain view
    Bathroom sanitizer

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    Bathroom sanitizer
    The Paseo Walking Path

    The Paseo Walking Path

    4.6
    (17 reviews)
    18.1 mi

    The walking path is accessed on one end at a park. The other end appears to be connected to a…read morepublic sidewalk. It is a linear walking trail; not looping around. It was nice. Because it is linear, at one point, we had to turn around and walk back to the vehicle.

    "Walk towards the good in life and one day you will arrive." Atticus…read more Happy is a state of being that YOU need to find and achieve on a personal level. Is happy something that you can have? A few years ago, the answer to this question might of come out wrong. I live happy in aiding and making sure that those around me are happy. My happy comes in sharing my joy among others. One joy that I have made mine over the years is walking. I can remember back to when I was a wee bitty thing, walking and running was a freedom that released all stress and anxiety. In high school I was in track and field. You get out on the field, all you can see is a hurdle; now run and jump. Empty your mind. You have to become one with the movement that your conducting. As I proceeded through life; life happened with marriage and family commitments. Now that the children are more independent it's time to rekindle a happy that once shaped me. This walking path gives me that old found joy in a new setting where I can find some new happiness for me. Someone the other day told me that, "happy looks good on you." For the longest time, I was lost in translation not knowing where to go. Sure the day to day mundane of living is never over unless your ready to give up living. The type of joy I am finding is something that is new. These pages have yet to be written. Leave something alone for long enough and it bites; this time around a second chance comes for me. My happy has been a work in process that has yet to be set. All those walks and silent moments that I spent on this path. Wondering what will be? Wondering if I could be? Wondering why I am being? Now remembering all these moments that led me to here and now. Happy is a bliss that we can just have. As a Leo my laughter and joy inspire so many individuals to be more than they can be. Achieve and reach incredible heights. All those that I touch with my words makes me feel so blessed. Happy is something that I can give to others, but achieving and discovering it's true rare ability is always seemingly beyond my reach. Don't take this the wrong way; the happy that I'm talking about is that true freedom that sets your soul on fire. It's the passion in life that leads to abilities beyond our realm of thinking . Can we achieve these goals? Yes? Perhaps no?! This is your journey of self discovery. It's time to begin. Look through a new lenses without blinking. Believe and you will always achieve. Walk it out, this is the reason for choosing this particular walking point. I'm rediscovering me. What makes me tick? What kind of tock are you? The trees as you pass one after another are mile markers along the path to the new form of you. Walk with me and discover the new and real you. Let nature inspire and shine for you! I'm willing to waste my time here and just learn to find the more important and complex me. I have arrived and know what my happy looks like. Find some happy beyond yourself in a little few moments that we can steal away from life for ourselves. The journey to self discovery starts now!

    Photos
    The Paseo Walking Path
    Spring is a popular time to see the American Robin and many birds along the Paseo Walking Path.
    Spring is a popular time to see the American Robin and many birds along the Paseo Walking Path.
    The Paseo Walking Path with Goett Family Park in the spring of 2024.

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    The Paseo Walking Path with Goett Family Park in the spring of 2024.

    Calico Tanks Trail - hiking - Updated June 2026

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