![]() ![]() We flashed our National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass to cover the entry fee (which we’d picked up the day before in Joshua Tree National Park) and pulled in behind a line of cars to get into the park. It’s the time in-between peak and low seasons for a tourist destination, so while it’s busy, it’s not madness. (We learned about shoulder season in Yuma. We arrived around three in the afternoon, and by this time we didn’t know Tuesday from Friday so we kinda forgot it was Saturday during shoulder season. We had driven around Death Valley, so a fourteen mile detour was equivalent to pulling off at a scenic overlook. George, Utah, and to get there we had to skirt Las Vegas, which meant that Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area was on the way, relatively speaking. Our ultimate destination that day was St. Visiting Red Rock Canyon Young girl admiring Red Rock Canyon We were stocked, but if we had been lacking in the candy, nuts, chips, or jerky department we could have replenished them all.īack on 95, we passed the turn-off to Death Valley and realized we had driven up one side and down the other of the massive National Park without stepping one foot on its sweltering sands. To get into the store we passed by a three- or four-story stone rook, walked under palm trees, and crossed over a stream that was fed by a waterfall, all of which were designed to lure weary travelers in need of a snack to Eddie’s and the Death Valley Nut & Candy Company inside. We pulled into Beatty, Nevada, gateway to Death Valley National Park, and into the parking lot of a bizarro Vegas-worthy gas station and candy store. Eddie’s World Candy Store and Gas Station in Nevada And in this particular instance, Eddie World. The closer you get to the Atlantic Ocean the less likely you are to go more than 45 minutes without running into some sort of evidence of man beyond the road itself.Īt the first sight of cottonwoods, about 93 miles south of Tonopah, we knew there was water, which meant there’d be a town. Related: How to use GasBuddy to find nearby gas stations. There’s a desolation and an isolation that can swallow you if you’re not accustomed to it. When you’re out west and you see a sign that says “Next Gas Station – 94 Miles,” believe it. It’s more difficult to imagine how they survived. It’s easy to envision what it was like for the miners who searched for, and often found, riches. The scenery on US-95 was beautiful, don’t get me wrong, and the road was smooth and fast, but it was vast, and boundless, and empty. We’d see a variation in the horizon – maybe a bluff or a white patch of sand or just a bend in the road – and then we’d drive, and drive, and drive through undulating shades of brown and olive. If you’ve ever strolled down the Strip you’ve probably experienced the sensation of seeing one of the big flashy casinos and thinking it’s within walking distance.Īnd then you walk, and walk, and walk, and maybe half an hour later you finally reach the driveway of the behemoth only to realize you’ve got another ten minute walk to actually get inside the casino. More wild striping and spotting in Red Rocks.I t’s hard to believe Red Rock Canyon is right next to one of the brightest, busiest, noisiest cities in the west.ĭriving through Nevada reminded me of walking in Las Vegas. Patrick at the top of Plumber’s Crack highball bouldering route. Patrick climbing Plumber’s Crack highball bouldering route. ![]() There are Joshua Trees all over the trails leading to Calico 1 area. Calico 2 boulders – Yes, you can climb and scramble all over these. ![]() This is a great one to visit with your dog. My favorite areas thus far are: Calico 1, Calico 2, Ice Box Canyon, and Kraft Boulders, which has the famous Plumber’s Crack highball boulder (pictured below).Ī note to travelers with furry friends, Red Rocks is very dog-friendly, which is not that common for national parks / monuments / conservation areas. The park is small, but packed with activities. Trails dart every which direction allowing you to essentially choose your path, and then go for it. It’s one of the few areas where I’ve found miles-long scrambling routes. Known as one of the top scrambling and bouldering places in the world, it’s a climber’s and hiker’s dream. Red Rock is best described as a beautifully-striped playground or jungle gym. This is made abundantly clear on a quick day trip to Red Rock Canyon, which lies just outside Vegas. There’s a lot more to Nevada than The Strip. Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area, Las Vegas, Nevada ![]()
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