Calico Tanks Trail

Calico Tanks Trail is one of the most popular short hikes in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, west of Las Vegas in Nevada. The route starts at the Sandstone Quarry Trailhead on the 13-mile Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive, at about mile 2.6, roughly 4,300 feet above sea level. Access is by car or rideshare only, as no public transit serves the area. The scenic drive charges an entry fee of about $20 per vehicle, and from October 1 through May 31 a timed-entry reservation is required for arrivals between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., so visitors should confirm current rules at recreation.gov before driving out. The round trip covers about 2.2 to 2.5 miles (3.5 to 4 km) with roughly 450 feet (140 m) of elevation gain, which the guide rates as moderate mainly because of the scrambling. The first section follows a sandy, rocky path through desert scrub beneath the red and tan cliffs of the Calico Hills. The trail then enters a wash and turns into a route-finding exercise over slickrock, where cairns mark the way and hands are often needed to climb short, steep sandstone steps. There is almost no shade, and the rock can be slippery when wet. The goal is a set of natural water pockets, called tanks, in the sandstone at the top of the canyon. Water collects there only after rain or snowmelt, and it should never be treated as a drinking source. Beyond the tanks, visitors can climb a little higher for a wide view over the Las Vegas Valley, with the Strip visible on a clear day. Most hikers turn around at the tanks or at the viewpoint just above them, and the return follows the same wash. No reliable water, shelter or refuge huts exist on the route, so every hiker should carry at least 2 liters of water. Shoes with sticky rubber soles make the slickrock far easier, and a sun hat is advisable because the exposed sandstone reflects heat. Information is available from the Red Rock Canyon visitor center, which can be reached at 702-515-5350.