Hike Grapevine Canyon Trail (NV)

4 miles - Easy Effort
Or: Half Mile for Petroglyphs
2 Hours (Total)
Expect to See Some Other Hikers
300 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 2,770 feet
Leashed Dogs Allowed

Home to ancient petroglyphs and a desert waterfall, hiking the Grapevine Canyon Trail in Avi Kwa Ame National Monument is spectacular. The hike is not too strenuous but has enough twists and turns to make it exciting.

In this Guide:

Video and Turn-by-Turn Directions
Getting to the Trailhead
Hidden Waterfalls & Petroglyphs!

Quick Links:
Park Website - NOAA Weather Report - My Apr 2024 Gear

Where is Grapevine Canyon?

Grapevine Canyon Location — Grapevine Canyon is about an hour south of Las Vegas.

First, there are many "Grapevine Canyons" around the USA, so make sure you drive to the one in Nevada. Use this trailhead address:
Grapevine Canyon Trailhead, Grapevine Canyon Rd, Searchlight, NV 89046

Road To Grapevine Canyon — The road to the trailhead is dirt/sand but in decent condition. You should be okay in a low-clearance car.

Grapevine Canyon Parking — There's a large parking area with a primitive toilet. There's no water here.

Gear Recommendations

If you just want to hike to the petroglyphs, it will only take a few minutes, and you don't need anything special. I'd recommend fitness or light hiking gear for the entire hike. Trail runners will help with the different rocks and surfaces. And this is the desert; it can be deadly in the summer. Save the hike for a time when the temperatures are cooler, and bring at least 1L of water and sun protection.

Gear That I Love Right Now

Nothing is sponsored or promoted, just the actual gear that I use.

Garmin InReach Mini 2If you are out of cellphone range the Mini 2 will reliably allow you to hit SOS via satellite. You can see my review here.

HOKA Speedgoat 5These are a great balance of comfort and performance. The high stack height leaves my feet feeling great after a hike.

Check out the complete list here.

Grapevine Canyon Trail Maps

Grapevine Canyon Nv Hike Directions 2 — Grapevine Canyon changes as the wind and water shift the landscape over time. There isn't an established trail but a series of trails and washes that head up the canyon. Looking for the most footprints is a good clue as to which way to go.

Use This Map:
View in CalTopo | PDF Map | GPX File

How Will You Navigate?

Using the Apple Watch for Hiking

Garmin Fenix 7 & Epix Review For Hikers

How To Read a Topographic Map

Garmin GPSMAP 67i Review

Grapevine Canyon Hike Directions

Grapevine Canyon Nv Hike Directions 3 — Hike into and up the wash from the interpretive displays at the trailhead.

Grapevine Canyon Nv Hike Directions 4 — Hike up the wash toward the entrance to the canyon.

Grapevine Canyon Nv Hike Directions 5 — When you get to the mouth of the canyon, look up on either side to see the petroglyphs.

Grapevine Canyon Nv Hike Directions 6 — The petroglyphs are thought to be about 1000 years old, and can be seen on either side at the mouth of the canyon. Be respectful and do not touch or damage them.

If you only want to view the petroglyphs, simply turn around from here.

Grapevine Canyon Nv Hike Directions 7 — Continue up the canyon. When the trail splits, take the one with the most footprints. If it dead ends, go back and try the other route.

Grapevine Canyon is named after the grapevines that grow here. The canyon is lush because of freshwater springs.

Grapevine Canyon Nv Hike Directions 8 — When you get to the steep wall of granite, look for a path around the left side.

Grapevine Canyon Nv Hike Directions 9 — Continue up through the washes and small trails.

Grapevine Canyon Nv Hike Directions 10 — Cross over the big granite slab and stay left.

Grapevine Canyon Nv Hike Directions 1 — At this point you can go two ways, up the small slot canyon, which involves a small scramble, or around the canyon on the bypass trail to the left.

Grapevine Canyon Nv Hike Directions 11 — Shortly after the canyon you'll see the trail start to dead end ahead. Hike around the boulder to the right.

Grapevine Canyon Nv Hike Directions 12 — And here you are at the waterfall! From here just turn around and go back the way you came.

Need More Info?

Have a question about the guide or want to see what other people are saying/asking? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.
When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

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This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!). You can stay up to date with my new guides by following me on YouTube, Instagram, or by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.