This 13-mile Drive Filled With Mountainous Views Outside Las Vegas Will Now Require Reservations — What to Know

The Scenic Drive at Red Rock Canyon will require reservations through May of 2025.

By Michael Cappetta Michael Cappetta

Michael Cappetta is a travel writer with over 10 years of experience in journalism and television news. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on October 4, 2024

Close Scenic view of Red Rock Canyon Loop in Nevada. Photo:

Daniela Duncan/Getty Images

The Scenic Drive at Nevada's Red Rock Canyon will now require reservations.

Just 15 miles west of Las Vegas, the popular area — which Travel + Leisure has deemed as a “dupe” for Sedona Arizona — is bringing back its reservation system for the popular 13-miles drive within the canyon. A reservation system was initially implemented in 2020.

From now through May of next year reservations for the Scenic Drive will be required from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m and can be made directly on the official website at Recreation.gov. Timed entry tickets are released for at least 30 days in advance, and the current calendar shows wide availability for the “Scenic Drive 1-Day Personal Vehicle Entry Pass”. 

The cost for a personal vehicle is $20, and a motorcycle or scooter is $10. All reservations are subject to a $2 per ticket fee, that is non-refundable. 

Those without a reservation are encouraged to arrive around 6 a.m., local news outlet 8 News Now advised.

Visitors are also instructed to have a printed or digital copy of their reservation which will be scanned upon entry before heading into the Scenic Drive.

Additionally, Red Rock Canyon is filled with over 2 dozen hikes and trails including the 2.4 mile Calico Tanks Trail, and the 4.6 mile Turtlehead Peak Trail, according to AllTrails. 

Additional passes are available for the Red Rock Canyon Backcountry, as well as the Red Spring Picnic Area, which is great for family gatherings and social groups. 

The Red Rock Canyon Visitor’s Center provided helpful information about the reservation requirement, including that parking lots tend to fill up early on weekends, holidays, and fee free days, and that 10 a.m.-2 p.m. is an extremely busy time for the parking lot, therefore it may be helpful to get an early start.