Hike First Creek Canyon Trail
| In This Guide |
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| Distance | 2.1 miles (3.4 km) |
| Hike Time | 1 Hour (Total) |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Total Ascent (?) | 390 feet (119m) |
| Highest Elevation | 3,850 feet (1173m) |
| Fees & Permits | Free |
| Dog Friendly | Leashed |
| Park Website | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area |
| Park Phone | 702-515-5350 |
The First Creek Canyon Trail hike brings you up along First Creek, through heavily vegetated Mojave Desert scrub, with striking cliffs as a backdrop, and offers a side trip to a hidden waterfall and plunge pool. I often recommend this hike for those looking for a pleasant hike that doesn’t involve too much effort. The First Creek Canyon Trail hike is in Red Rock Canyon park, but outside of the fee area and 13-mile loop drive, so it’s free and easy to get to.
How to Get To First Creek Canyon Trail
The trailhead address is: First Creek Trailhead, Las Vegas, NV, 89161, USA. It’s about a 35 minute drive from the Las Vegas strip.
Parking is free and the lot is large. Overflow parking is along the road.
There are no bathrooms at the trailhead or on the hike, but you can drive a few miles down the road to the Red Rock Visitor’s Center for bathrooms and refreshments.
What You Need For the Hike
This is a pretty easy hike, and you don’t really need any special hiking gear for it, fitness gear will do the trick. It can get hot in the summer, bring plenty of water either way.
There’s poor cell phone reception in the park, you you might want to take an emergency beacon if you have one.
Here’s the gear that I personally use, have tested, and recommend for this hike.See All of My Best Gear Picks Here
Great for all hikes – short ones to 10+ miles Feels like a sneaker but protects like a hiking boot.
The Best Low-Cost, High-Quality Pack
This is a super-light and comfortable backpack that can hold everything you need on a hike, including a hydration bladder. It also works great as a general backpack or carry-on.
Joby tripods attach to anything. The legs are adjustable and grippy, so you can put them on trees, packs, rocks, whatever. And they work like regular tripods too. Works with everything from smartphones to DSLRs.
No company pays me to promote or push a product, all the gear you see here is gear I use and recommend. If you click an REI link and buy gear, I get a small commission that helps offset website expenses. There is no cost to you.
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Insider Tips For the Hike
- Keep your eyes open for the desert tortoise and wild burros, which are pretty tough to spot. Easier to spot are desert hares and ground squirrels. First Creek is a water source for many animals so you have a decent chance to spot something.
- The waterfall is often dry, but it’s still impressive.
- The pool at the bottom of the waterfall is a popular spot to see wildlife. It’s also a nice swimming hole.
- First Creek Canyon Trail is a popular dog walking hike with the locals. Keep your eyes open for dog poop, coyote poop, burro poop, well, let’s just say poop.
- Stay on the main (large) trail. There are some small burro trails that crisscross the main trail.
- You can continue past the waterfall if you want to lengthen the hike. The trail splits apart and reforms many times, with two options, one down by the creek, and one on the ridge above. You might see some rock climbers heading to the cliff walls farther down. The trail gets more primitive as you continue.
First Creek Canyon Trail Maps
Hike First Creek Canyon Trail Map Downloads
First Creek Canyon Trail Directions
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Video Directions
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Turn By Turn Hike Directions
From here, you just head back the way you came. However, you can continue on the trail to make this a 3 mile round trip. The following pictures are from farther down the trail. Also note that as the trail continues, it splits and comes back together often. Unless you direction veers drastically away from the path of the creek, you’re probably fine.
Did something change on this hike? If so, please contact me and let me know. I'll update the guide.
If you see trash on the trail, please pick it up and carry it out. Be a good egg and practice no trace principles.
