The short answer: Red Rock Canyon is 17 miles west of the Strip, which the Bureau of Land Management calls "only 30 minutes". A car pays $20 in 2026. From Oct 1 to May 31 you also need a timed-entry reservation to start the Scenic Drive between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Book it on Recreation.gov or by phone.
This is the season to go. October to April keeps Las Vegas highs between 57°F and 81°F under the 1991–2020 normals.
| What | Cost in 2026 | Hours or season |
|---|---|---|
| Private vehicle | $20 a day | Scenic Drive hours below |
| Motorcycle | $10 a day | |
| Bicycle | $8 a day | |
| On foot | $5 a day | |
| Red Rock annual pass | $50 | |
| Timed-entry reservation | Needed for entry 8 a.m.–5 p.m. | Oct 1–May 31; not needed Jun 1–Sep 30 |
| Visitor center | 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | |
| Red Rock Overlook | Free, no reservation |
The 13-mile Scenic Drive
The drive is a one-way loop of 13 miles, so there is no turning back for a stop you passed. Pick your pullouts before you start. The visitor center sits near the start and keeps 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. hours.
The BLM opens and closes the drive by month:
- November to February: 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- March: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- April to September: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- October: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The $20 car fee has applied since Jan 1, 2023. If you plan 3 or more visits in a year, the $50 annual pass beats paying each time.
Timed entry, October to May
From Oct 1 to May 31, BLM requires a timed-entry reservation for the Scenic Drive for entry between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The drive opens at 6 a.m., and the rule names only that 8-to-5 window. From June 1 to Sep 30 no reservation is needed at all.
Reservations go through Recreation.gov or (877) 444-6777. Book before you leave the hotel: the slot covers the drive, and the daily fee still applies.
No slot? Red Rock Overlook needs no reservation and no fee, so it is the fallback on a day you could not book.
Heat and water
The no-reservation months are the hot ones. At Harry Reid airport the average high is 99.4°F in June, 104.5°F in July and 102.8°F in August. The drive opens at 6 a.m. then, and the first 2 hours are the ones to use. Carry water for each person in the car.
The best time to visit page sets out each month.
Getting there
Red Rock is the closest of the big day trips. Hoover Dam is 32 miles the other way, and Valley of Fire about 57 miles northeast. West Charleston Boulevard runs out of town toward the canyon. With no car, you can rent at the LAS Rent-A-Car Center or take a tour.
Who should skip this
Anyone who wants to drive out on a whim at noon between October and May. Without a slot the loop is closed to you, and the free Overlook is what is left. Anyone hoping for a long hike in July should start at 6 a.m. or pick another month. The Las Vegas guide lists the other day trips.
Red Rock Canyon's visitor center is about 17 miles west of the Strip.