South Oak Creek Trail

South Oak Creek Trail is a 5-mile hike through desert shrubbery with great views of the red stripes of Mount Wilson. The hike is a relaxed walk but can be tricky route to find. It is the first trail you hit when you pass Red Rock Canyon. The hike here is free and doesn't require a pass.

The trail starts at the parking lot of Red Canyon National Conservation Area. You'll walk on some nice red rocks and get beautiful views of the mountain. About 1 mile in, you will start to see different splits of the trail. The trail runs west, through the barbed-wire gate and down the old road towards the original Red Rock Campground.

This hike links together several old mining roads that all run out to Wilson Pimple where someone tried to open a quarry or mine.

Access this trail from a dirt pull-out along SR-159 roughly 1.5 miles south of the Scenic Drive exit. Cross the fence and follow an old Jeep road through the open desert towards Oak Creek Canyon. Look for petrified wood & conglomerate rock as you get closer to the hill just before the mouth of Oak Creek Canyon.

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area RRCNCA can be found just a few minutes west of Las Vegas. It covers 195,819 acres in the Mojave desert. Red Rock Canyon is a world-renowned area of geologic beauty and interest. Increased visitor numbers can lead to increased injuries and damage. Read More September 1, 20,22.

Timed Reservations are required for vehicle entry onto the Scenic Drive between October 1 and September 1. Read More Our Mission