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Willow Spring Picnic Area
Hiking Around Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Willow Spring Picnic Area
Willow Springs Picnic Area (view SE)

Overview

Willow Spring Picnic Area, tucked between sandstone cliffs in Red Rock Canyon, has 28 picnic tables, trash cans, and two toilets, but no drinking water. On arrival, the first tables along Willow Spring Road are in the full sun (good for winter use), and the farther tables are shaded by tall cottonwood trees and oak trees (good for summer use). The southern tables are most accessible for people with limited mobility.

The spring, located adjacent to the northern-most tables, provides habitat for rare spring snails and red-spotted toads, plus water for gray fox, bighorn sheep, bats, many bird species, and other desert creatures.

From the picnic area, hikers can access several trails, including the Willow Spring Loop Trail that runs down one side of the canyon and back up the other providing grand scenic overlooks and interesting archeological sites. The Petroglyph Wall Trail runs just across the canyon to a wall covered in rock stories.

Willow Spring Picnic Area is located inside the Red Rock Canyon fee area, about half-way around the Scenic Loop Road.

Willow Spring Picnic Area Willow Spring Picnic Area
Willow Spring Picnic Area Willow Spring Picnic Area
Willow Spring Picnic Area Willow Spring Picnic Area
Willow Spring Picnic Area Willow Spring Picnic Area
Willow Springs Picnic Area Willow Spring Picnic Area
Willow Spring Picnic Area
Willow Springs Road, arriving at accessible parking area (view NE)
Willow Spring Picnic Area
Reserved parking spaces (view E)
Willow Spring Picnic Area
Accessible toilet at reserved parking (view NE)
Willow Spring Picnic Area
Bike racks and accessible picnic tables (view E)
Willow Spring Picnic Area Willow Spring Picnic Area
Willow Spring Picnic Area Willow Spring Picnic Area

Picnic Area During Winter

Wilson Homesite Wilson Homesite
Wilson Homesite Wilson Homesite
Wilson Homesite Wilson Homesite
Wilson Homesite Wilson Homesite

Willow Spring

Willow Springs Picnic Area Willow Springs Picnic Area
Willow Springs Picnic Area Willow Spring Picnic Area
Willow Spring Picnic Area Willow Spring Picnic Area
Willow Spring Picnic Area Willow Spring Picnic Area

Handprints ADA Trail

Willow Spring Picnic Area
Start of the Handprints ADA Trail by the ADA toilets (view NE)
Willow Spring Picnic Area
Handprints Petroglyph Site isn't far (view E)
Hand Prints ADA Trail
Handprints Trail approaching an information sign (view E)
Hand Prints ADA Trail
Information sign: Rugged Survivors (bighorn sheep)
Willow Spring Picnic Area
Handprints Trail continues (view SE)
Hand Prints ADA Trail
Handprints Trail passes an ADA picnic table (view E)
Willow Spring Picnic Area
Handprints Trail approaching an information sign (view E)
Willow Spring Picnic Area
Information sign: Rock Impressions (view NE)
Hand Prints ADA Trail
Approaching the Handprints site (view E)
Hand Prints ADA Trail
Arriving at the Handprints site (view E)
Hand Prints ADA Trail
Painted Hands pictograph site (view NE)
Hand Prints ADA Trail
Five ancient handprints (view NE)
Hand Prints ADA Trail
Painted Hands pictographs; they can be hard to see (view NE)
Hand Prints ADA Trail
Approaching information sign (view SE)
Hand Prints ADA Trail
Sign: More than an Oven (view E)
Hand Prints ADA Trail
Agave roasting pit (view SE)
Hand Prints ADA Trail
Agave roasting pit (view SE)
Hand Prints ADA Trail
Agave roasting pit (view E)
Hand Prints ADA Trail
Ash and burnt rocks from ancient cooking fires (view down)
Willow Spring Picnic Area
More to come ...

Plants and Animals in the Picnic Area

Willow Spring Picnic Area
Spring Snail in Willow Spring
Wilson Homesite
Red-spotted Toads in Willow Spring
Wilson Homesite
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay
at Willow Spring
Wilson Homesite
House Finch pair at Willow Spring
Wilson Homesite
Spotted Towhee at Willow Spring
Willow Spring Picnic Area
Covey of Chukar at Willow Spring picnic area
Wilson Homesite
Rock Squirrel at Willow Spring
Wilson Homesite
White-tailed Antelope Squirrel at Willow Spring
Wilson Homesite
Valley Pocket Gopher at Willow Spring
Wilson Homesite
Four Desert Bighorn Sheep at Willow Spring
Wilson Homesite
Damselfly (Vivid Dancer) pair at Willow Spring
Willow Spring Picnic Area
Arizona Sister Butterfly at Willow Springs
Wilson Homesite
Spider Milkweed at Willow Spring
Wilson Homesite
Colorado Four O'clock at Willow Spring

Happy Hiking! All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 240330

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