Hike First Creek Canyon Trail

Name: First Creek Trailhead
Address: First Creek Trailhead, Las Vegas, NV, 89161, USA

In This Guide	How to Find the Hidden Waterfall Turn by Turn Hike Directions & Video Parking Info & Directions Other Fun Hikes in Red Rock Canyon
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	Off Leash Okay
Park Contact	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*.

La Sportiva Spire GTX

Good for light and more hardcore hikes. Feels like a sneaker but protects like a hiking boot.

Women’s Reviews

Men’s Reviews

REI Flash 22 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.

See Colors & Prices

Joby Smartphone Tripod

Make your photos stand out by using this lightweight, do-anything tripod. The Joby attaches your smartphone to trees, rocks, whatever you can find on the trail. Folds down compactly too.

See the Joby Options

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* 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

Burros Sign Red Rocks — It’s exciting to see burros, but be respectful and keep your distance. Photo by Stan Shebs.

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

Download the Hike GPX File

View a Printable PDF Hike Map

Here’s what I use to navigate my hikes. I recommend a combination of paper and electronic options with backups.

Gaia GPS

Gaia GPS is a planning and navigation tool that you can use on your phone, tablet, and the web. I use it on my phone when I need to interact with the map and know where my position is on it. I use it at home on the computer to plan routes. You can overlay maps such as public lands to find out free places to camp. It’s a powerful tool.

HikingGuy Discount on Gaia GPS

Garmin Fenix Watch

This thing does everything: maps, GPX tracks, compass, barometer, altitude, heart rate, blood oxygen, fitness tracking, sleep tracking, and the list goes on. I keep a GPX route on the watch so I can quickly glance down and make sure I’m in the right place.

Fenix Prices & Reviews

My In-Depth Review

Topo Maps & Guide Books

Don’t be caught out if your batteries die. Take a topo map with you on the trail. Some people also print my guides out for use on the hike.

I also highly recommend taking a map and compass navigation course. It’s a few hours, it’s fun, and it could save your life.

Map and Compass Navigation Basics Classes

Don’t just rely on a cell phone, especially if you are hiking in the backcountry.

Hike First Creek Canyon Trail 3d map — The First Creek Canyon trail follows First Creek to the south. It’s pretty straightforward, although the trail often splits and reforms.

First Creek Canyon Trail Directions

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Turn By Turn Hike Directions

First Creek Canyon Trailhead — The trailhead is easy to see from the road, and there is plenty of parking.

First Creek Canyon trail — A coyote was nice enough to poop by this cairn. There was a lot of poop on the beginning of this hike.

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.