Grand Circle Loop

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Gas: Chevron & Terribles
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Common Questions

Distance:: 11.35 miles
Class:: 1
Dogs:: Not recommended
Route Style:: loop
Trail Condition:: Maintained
Tags:: challenging, diverse terrain, vast views
Difficulty:: Hard
Parking:: At the Visitor Center.
Restrooms:: At the Visitor Center, Sandstone Quarry, and Calico Hills.
Reception:: No
Access:: The easiest and most logical starting point is at the rear of the Visitor Center. Since this trail follows the Scenic Loop in many areas, hikers could theoretically begin at the Calico Hills parking lots, Sandstone Quarry, or White Rock Hills.
Good to Know:: Largely exposed, but definitely contains covered/ shaded areas.
Why:: A lengthy journey through wide open terrain, tight coordidors, dense vegetation, and the boulder ridden Calico Hills.
Wildlife Probability:: Slim
Trailhead coordinates:: 36.13528, -115.42820 — Map

Grand Circle Loop Trail

The Grand Circle loop is an 11.4 mile trail that partially follows the Scenic Loop. It connects directly to both Calico Hills trails, crosses the Scenic Loop several times, and covers unique areas inaccessible from any other trail. If you see people walking across random areas of the Scenic Loop, they’re probably doing this trail, or segments.

You’ll hike through a highly diverse terrain including but not limited to a spacious landscape with both very wide and narrow sections, a water source with flourishing moss, limestone and sandstone. Like many water sources, this one too is said to be a place where wildlife visits at dawn and dusk. You’ll have the opportunity to rock climb (no equipment necessary) through fascinating red rock, optionally climb through massive boulder tunnels and explore the under belly of both Calico Hills trails.

The Grand Circle Loop trail is far from as difficult as other trails of the same distance. There's no scrambling, route finding, or bouldering. It's largely a well defined, frequently traveled trail with an innumerable amount of fascinating views and unique vantage points. It's undoubtedly the longest aside from Bridge Mountain and North Peak and nowhere close to as strenuous.

Traveling to Las Vegas for a quick trip and want to spend time in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area? Grab your hiking shoes and jump on this trail to get a thorough understanding of the parks layout, geology, and landscape.