Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Red Rock Canyon scenic loop to reopen June 1

Red Rock Visitors

Wade Vandervort

Visitors take photos from a scenic overlook at Red Rock Canyon Saturday, July 6, 2019.

Red Rock Canyon’s popular scenic loop drive will reopen June 1 for the first time in over two months, the Bureau of Land Management announced Wednesday.

Previously closed to motor vehicles due to the threat of COVID-19, the scenic loop drive will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sloan Canyon, another national conservation area managed by the BLM, will also reopen June 1 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

While restrooms and trails will be accessible, Red Rock’s visitor center and Sloan Canyon’s visitor contact station remain closed. The Red Spring picnic area and all campgrounds are still inaccessible as well.

Both national conservation areas closed in March because the BLM was unable to ensure the safety of visitors, staff and agency partners who typically maintain trails, restrooms and ecological and cultural resources, said spokesperson John Asselin. The BLM has limited staff in its Southern Nevada offices and relies significantly on volunteers and contracted services to manage Red Rock and Sloan Canyon, Asselin said.

“We wanted to make sure that everything was lined up, because our focus is the safety of our visitors, employees, partners and contractors,” he said.

The agency also did not have enough personal protective equipment to protect staff and volunteers, Asselin said, especially given the crowds at Red Rock. In addition, the BLM had to clean restrooms and remove graffiti at Red Rock, which took some time, he said.

Visitors should practice social distancing and not leave behind any trash or other items. They should also prepare for the heat, as temperatures are expected to climb into the 100s this week, Asselin said.

“It’s getting to that time of the year, so people really need to be careful, not just at Red Rock but anywhere they’re out there hiking,” he said.

The Spring Mountains National Recreation Area and Mount Charleston remain open, although restrooms, campgrounds and other services are not available. The U.S. Forest Service, which manages the Mount Charleston area, is asking people not to visit due to overcrowding.

Lake Mead is only open to pass holders, according to its website.