Ice Box Canyon Trail

2.5 miles - Moderate Effort
1-2 Hours (Total)
Expect to See Some Other Hikers
570 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 4,680 feet
Leashed Dogs Allowed

The Ice Box Canyon Trail is a favorite local hike. It's popular but less busy than Red Rock Canyon Park's big-name hikes. The scenery is stunning, with weathered limestone walls providing shade from the sun, making the hike usually much cooler than the surrounding landscape. Once inside Ice Box Canyon, there's some light scrambling as you navigate your way up to the point where the canyon walls make it impossible to continue safely. It's a fun adventure and feels different from Red Rock Canyon's other hikes.

In this Guide:

Video and Turn By Turn Directions
How to Get to the Trailhead
What to Watch Out For & Insider Tips

Quick Links:
Park Reservations - Parks Pass - Park Website - NOAA Weather Report - My Sep 2024 Gear

Where is Ice Box Canyon?

Red Rock Canyon Map Ice Box Canyon — Ice Box Canyon is located off the Scenic Drive through Red Rock Canyon Park, about 30-45 minutes from central Las Vegas.

Ice Box Canyon is one of the numerous hikes in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, which the Bureau of Land Management runs. The hike is reached by driving around the (one-way) Scenic Drive. You must get a timed entry for Red Rock Canyon at some points in the year, so check the Recreation.gov website before you go. You don't have to pay an entry fee if you have a National Parks Pass.

Red Rock Canyon is Nevada's first National Conservation Area.

The Ice Box Canyon hike trailhead is about 8 miles past the Red Rock Canyon visitor center, just off the scenic drive. Use this trailhead address: Ice Box Canyon Trailhead, Ice Box Canyon, Las Vegas, NV 89161

Scenic Drive Map Ice Box Canyon — The trailhead is on the second half of the Scenic Drive.

Ice House Canyon Parking — There's parking on both sides of the road, and the trail is on the right side.

Ice Box Canyon Toilet — There's a primitive toilet but no other facilities.

Gear For the Hike

You will have to do some easy scrambling on this hike, so light hiking gear or fitness clothes are a good bet. And I'd wear some good trail runners if you have them.

Gear That I Love Right Now

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

Garmin InReach Mini 2Hit SOS or just tell loved ones that you're running late where your cell phone has no service. Review here.

Topo Pursuit 2The best hiking footwear I've ever owned. No blisters. Get them wet, they dry quickly. Lots of cushion and comfort.

Garmin Epix ProHiking maps, route info, and fitness stats on my wrist. Review here.

Osprey Hikelite 26Lightweight, carries all your gear, and your back doesn't get sweaty. Oh yea, it's also one of the most inexpensive packs you can get.

Check out the complete list here. ( Updated September 2024)

Ice Box Canyon Trail Maps

Ice Box Canyon Trail Sign — You'll have trail markers like this on the first half of the hike, but once you're in the canyon, there are none. Just follow the streambed upstream.

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

3D Map

Hike Brief

Ice Box Canyon Hike Snow — It's not too common, but you occasionally get snow in Ice Box Canyon. And if it's freezing, the streambed can have icy surfaces.

It's often 10-20°F cooler than the surrounding area once you are in the canyon.
There's a fair amount of scrambling once you are in the canyon. There are no extreme areas where you must pull yourself up boulders, but be prepared to go around and do small climbs up along the wall to pass certain boulders.
Usually, the stream bed is dry with some random pools of water. But it could be wet if there's snowmelt or rain.
If there are thunderstorms in the forecast, you should avoid the canyon. It is susceptible to intense flash floods. The water has enough power to move huge boulders, and it can move you. Watch this incredible video if you're skeptical (or just curious).

Ice Box Canyon Hike Directions

Ice Box Canyon Hike Directions 3 — When you get to the wash crossing, make a quick right.

Ice Box Canyon Hike Directions 4 — And look for the trail to continue across the wash.

Ice Box Canyon Hike Directions 5 — There's some minor uphill but overall this first part of the hike feels flat. Also notice the trail marker that points you in the correct direction.

Ice Box Canyon Hike Directions 7 — The walls of the box canyon are truly stunning as you get closer.

Ice Box Canyon Hike Weathering

The coloration on the rocks is staining from minerals that are dissolved during erosion.

Ice Box Canyon Hike Directions 8 — Look down in the canyon to your left, which is always pretty lush.

Ice Box Canyon Hike Directions 9 — As you approach the mouth of the canyon, the rocky trail splits. Take the upper trail to the right.

Ice Box Canyon Hike Directions 10 — Hike along the rocky upper trail.

Ice Box Canyon Hike Directions 12 — And then do a short descent to the stream bed.

Ice Box Canyon Hike Directions 13 — At the bottom, make the right and start the second part of the hike, which follows the stream bed.

Ice Box Canyon Hike Directions 15 — There's no real trail from here on out. You just follow the wash upstream.

Ice Box Canyon Hike Directions 16 — When you encounter big boulders blocking the path, look for a way around, which could be a trail on either side. In general most of the bypass trails are on the left hand side of the stream bed. You shouldn't have to climb up any high boulders.

Ice Box Canyon Hike Directions 17 — When you get towards the end and encounter the biggest set of boulders yet, climb up the rocks to the left.

Ice Box Canyon Hike Directions 18 — After climbing up you'll be on a rock shelf along the cliff. Follow that.

Ice Box Canyon Hike Directions 19 — And here you are, at the massive falls!

Ice Box Canyon Cris Hazzard — When you're done at the end, just turn around and hike back the way you came.

Need More Info?

Have a question about the guide? Join my Patreon and ask me a question.
When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.
Do you have an update to this guide? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to update the guide.

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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.