North Peak Trail

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Common Questions

Distance:: 4.16 miles
Class:: Class 2
Dogs:: Ok
Route Style:: out & back
Trail Condition:: Maintained
Tags:: challenging, remote feeling, seasonal snow, summit, vast views
Difficulty:: Moderate
Parking:: If you have an off road enabled vehicle equipped to handle extremely rough terrain, you could drive it all the way up to the trailhead and park. Otherwise, it's most common to drive to Lovell Canyon and park at the base of Rocky Gap Road. Vehicles with decent clearance such as Subaru Outbacks, mid size and full size trucks without 4x4 can make it partially up Rocky Gap Road. There's several turnouts along the way. There's one particularly large turnout right before the 'rock garden'. Do not attempt these extreme obstacles unless you're 100% confident your vehicle can overcome it. Third party recovery can be very expensive and comes with unknown outcomes. It's a 35-40 minute hike to the trailhead from the largest turnout before the rock garden. Furthermore, parking is available in Willow Springs/ Lost Creek. The hike to the trailhead is longer from this point and Rocky Gap Road is equally nasty.
Restrooms:: No
Reception:: No
Access:: Via Rocky Gap Road
Good to Know:: Drivers of stock trucks with lifts and larger tires have been surprised at Rocky Gap Road challenges. Think long and hard before attempting this trek by vehicle. Despite this trail being far above and beyond traditional Red Rock Canyon trails, there are still trail markers making it easy to reach the destination.
Why:: The views are magnificent. It's an extraordinary peak.
Wildlife Probability:: Potentially. Be on the look out.
Trailhead coordinates:: 36.11760, -115.57200 — Map

The North Peak Trail is known as one of Red Rock Canyon’s tallest and most demanding hikes. There are two primary approaches to the North Peak Trail: one via Lovell Canyon, and the other from the scenic loop using Rocky Gap Road. Each route offers a distinct experience.

Rocky Gap Road is extremely treacherous, filled with mini boulders, large gaps, and serious off-road obstacles. It’s suitable only for capable trucks, quads, or bikes operated by those familiar with rugged terrain. Approaching the North Peak Trail from Lovell Canyon is more straightforward, with numerous turnouts for parking and even camping.

Overnight camping is permitted along Rocky Gap Road when entering from Lovell Canyon, while camping is not allowed from the scenic loop side. The views from the North Peak Trail are expansive and unique—comparable in scale to Turtlehead Peak, yet offering a completely different vantage point.

The North Peak Trail is often paired with Bridge Mountain, though the two hikes are vastly different in difficulty and navigation. North Peak can be somewhat easier to access thanks to established routes like the North Peak–Bridge Mountain Trail and visible trail markers higher up. Bridge Mountain, however, is notoriously difficult to reach; many hikers attempting to combine the two turn back due to navigational challenges, changing weather, or loss of daylight.