A short drive west of town takes visitors to this large desert preserve run by the Bureau of Land Management. A large network of trails is available for hiking and biking, and a number of organized hikes, ranging from moderate to strenuous, varies from month to month. As a conservation area, everything stays in its natural state, and visitors may not take anything out.
Adjacent to the federally owned land is Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, a picturesque ranch once owned by Howard Hughes and German munitions heiress Vera Krupp (among others) before the state took it over. The scenic drive through Red Rock Canyon is open daily 6 am-dusk, depending on the season. The visitors center at the entrance to the scenic drive is open daily 8 am-5 pm. US$5 per vehicle. On Highway 159 (West Charleston Boulevard, about 17 mi/28 km west of the Strip), Las Vegas. Phone 702-515-5350. http://www.redrockcanyon.blm.gov.
