Not only does this ride guarantee awe-inspiring views from start to finish, but it also highlights the incredible diversity of southern Nevada and the Mojave Desert. From glowing red sandstone to towering limestone cliffs, through pinyon-juniper forests and the open desert, your neck might hurt from looking around so much! Every direction of the White Rock Mountain Loop is an absolute treat.
Of all the horse-friendly trails within Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, this is the only one that must be accessed from the scenic loop drive. Reservations are required for the scenic loop drive from October through May and there is a fee. Don’t let that deter you. All of Red Rock is worth riding, but this is probably the best ride in the whole area.
This loop trail goes around the White Rock Hills and is approximately 8 miles. Most will agree that riding the loop counterclockwise is the best way to go. Either way, you will get views that don’t quit. You’ll start out seeing the entire face of the dramatic wall of Red Rock with the Las Vegas skyline behind you. As you gain a little elevation and head into the mountains, suddenly you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere.
White Rock Mountain Loop leads to a rugged and hidden valley, where it touches the La Madre Wilderness and Rainbow Wilderness Areas. It weaves through dense groves of sagebrush, manzanita, Mormon tea, pinyon pine and Juniper trees, and prickly pear. All along the way there are huge rock walls and sweeping views into the wilderness beyond. The scale is so big that at times it feels almost unreal! This is unforgettable scenery and if you don’t love Nevada after this ride, you never will.
The trail is technical from start to end, with lots of step ups and step downs, narrow sections, and some spots with tricky footing. It is also consistently rocky so boots or shoes are recommended. If you take a half mile detour (1 mile total) you can access water at La Madre Spring (seasonal), otherwise there is no water on this trail. Most of the loop is a single track trail, except for about a mile around Willow Spring and Petroglyph Wall. The parking lots around Willow Spring and Petroglyph Wall can be very busy so be prepared for a short jaunt through cars and throngs of tourists.
Once you get past that, you’re back on single track and heading out into the open desert with views of the bright colors of Calico Basin. In this section the trails winds through cholla, creosote, and yucca – very different plant life than the previous area! Despite its difficulty, this trail is popular with hikers and dog walkers, so expect to share the trail.
If you keep a sharp eye on the loop, you might see evidence of people who came before – from petroglyphs to foundations of buildings. There are some interpretive signs along the trail, but they are pretty faded from sun and years and are difficult to read. The White Rock trail is pretty navigable, but cell service is spotty, so make sure to have a trail map!
Getting Here
Where to Park: Parking for horse trailers is extremely limited in Red Rock, especially inside the scenic loop. To access this trail, you need to park in the Lower White Rock Parking Lot. This gravel lot is small but there is room for a few rigs. You must get there first thing in the morning (the earliest time slot) to get a spot and be able to get back out later. It WILL fill up with cars no matter which day of the week.
The scenic loop is ONE WAY so if you pass the parking lot you cannot turn around and you will not be able to get back onto the loop without another reservation. From the Lower White Rock Parking Lot you can ride up the gravel road to the trailhead. As with every parking lot in Red Rock, do not leave any manure on the ground.
Trail Maps
