The Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers at
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
in Nevada - August 7, 2012

The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Nevada is an area managed by the Bureau of Land Management as part of its National Landscape Conservation System, and protected as a National Conservation Area. It is located about 15 miles west of Las Vegas in Clark County, Nevada and easily seen from the Las Vegas Strip. The area is visited by over 1 million visitors each year.

The conservation area showcases a set of large red rock formations: a set of sandstone peaks and walls called the Keystone Thrust. The walls are up to 3,000 feet high. The highest point is La Madre Mountain, at 8,154 feet.

Red Rock Canyon itself is a side-canyon accessible only by four-wheel-drive road off of the scenic loop. The unnamed but often visited valley cut through by State Route 159 is commonly, but incorrectly, referred to as Red Rock Canyon. The massive wall of rock called the Wilson Cliffs, or Keystone Thrust, can be seen to the west along this highway.

Just before entering Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, the two RV Gypsies spotted some small wildlife, and Karen Duquette photographed them from the moving vehicle.

Below: Writings on a big rock, approaching the visitor center located at the start of the loop road.

Below: Inside the Visitor's Center of Red Rock canyon, Lee Duquette made a new friend. What a brave soul!

Below: Going out the back door of the Visitor's Center, the two RV Gypsies were greeted by beautiful scenery.

Air, Fire, Water, Earth

As the two RV Gypsies returned to their truck to drive through Red Rock Canyon, Karen Duquette photographed a Joshua tree.

A one-way loop road, 13 miles long, provides vehicle access to many of the features in the area, without having to hike any of the trails. The two RV Gypsies took full advantage of this feature and chose to drive the loop road. They often stopped at the side roads and parking areas that allowed them access to all of the beautiful scenery they photographed and posted below. In this extreme heat, it was important for the two RV Gypsies to only be out of the air conditioned car for very short periods of time and not hike any long trails.

Below: Calico Hills Overlook #1 required the two RV Gypsies to walk ONLY a few feet from the parking lot to get some fantastic photos by looking left and right - each side of the short walkway was quite different. Many people walked the areas off to the side, but the two RV Gypsies did not, due to the extensive heat.

Below: Calico Hills Overlook #2 - a few photos from the parking lot.

Calico Hills Overlook #2 - required only a very short walk to get some great photos, as seen below.

Below; Some of the two RV Gypsies' favorite photos at Red Rock National Conservation Area.

Below: The two RV Gypsies thought the rock formation in the background looked like a giant lizard.

The two RV Gypsies drove along the loop road at Red Rock National Conservation area

Below: The two RV Gypsies looked back at the Calico Hills Overlook #2 from an overlook on the loop road and loved the scenery.

Below: The two RV Gypsies stopped to eat lunch at the Willow Springs Picnic area - They did NOT walk on the trail. It was a very hot day.

Below: The two RV Gypsies took a quick stop at the Ice Box Canyon Overlook.

Below: Pine Creek Canyon - this pleasant canyon featured a permanent stream, large shady trees and the remains of an old dwelling, all accessed by an easy, one-mile trail. However, the two RV Gypsies decided NOT to hike, but to just photograph what they could from the parking area, although they would not be able to see the stream or the old dwelling. Hopefully, they will have the opportunity to return here another time when it is not so darn hot outside.

Below: The two RV Gypsies saw a gorilla in the rock formation shown below. Do YOU?

Please enjoy the other five sections in Nevada below.

You may view these adventures in any order you choose.

There is also a link to Utah's National Parks and the main navigational menu below.

Valley of Fire

Terry Fator

AFTER you have viewed all six (6) areas above, please continue on to the adventures of The two RV Gypsies in the USA state of Utah as they explored National Parks and more: Red Canyon, Bryce, Mossy Cave, Zion, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Kodachrome Basin, Capitol Reef, Goblin Valley, Arches, Canyonlands, and the Colorado Recreation area. WOW!

OR Continue Navigation in the order of your choice via the alphabetical or category buttons below or Click here to see travels by the year (not the best way)