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Black Velvet Trailhead
Hiking Around Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Black Velvet Trailhead
Black Velvet Trailhead
First of the parking areas (view west)

The Black Velvet Trailhead is located in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, about 1-1/4 hours west of Las Vegas, but not in the Scenic Loop Road area. The trailhead is located off Highway 160, west of the intersection with Highway 159 (West Charleston Blvd). This trailhead is not in the fee area.

From town, drive out to Red Rocks (Table 1, Site 0519), and then to the Late Night Trailhead (Site 1072). Staying to the right past the parking area, the graded dirt Black Velvet Road runs out into the desert (Site 1081).

The road runs to the northeast, then to the northwest, and then bends hard to the west. At about 2.5 miles from the pavement, the road arrives at the first of six parking areas. The road continues for another 0.2 miles, but only the most hardy drivers (and those in rental vehicles) will drive to the very end of the road (Site 1074).

There are six parking areas: five along the main road, and one on a short spur to the left (which also serves as Mud Spring #2 Trailhead).

Park in any of the five parking areas; this is the trailhead.

Black Velvet Trailhead
Black Velvet Trail (view west)

Link to trailhead map.

The Black Velvet Trailhead primarily is used by rock climbers to access the Black Velvet climbing area; however, it also provides access to miles of fairly easy hiking and mountain bike riding trails.

Trails: Black Velvet Canyon, Mud Spring #1, and several bike trails.

Black Velvet Trailhead
Black Velvet Road approaching the trailhead area (view NW)
Black Velvet Trailhead
Black Velvet Road at the first of six parking areas (view NW)
Black Velvet Trailhead
Black Velvet Canyon information sign (view W)
Black Velvet Trailhead
Black Velvet Canyon information sign (view W)
Black Velvet Trailhead
Very rocky patch before 3rd parking area
Black Velvet Trailhead
Rocky road before 4th parking area
Black Velvet Trailhead
4th parking area
Black Velvet Trailhead
Road to 5th parking area
Black Velvet Trailhead
Arriving at the end of the road
Black Velvet Trailhead
5th parking area
Black Velvet Trailhead
Black Velvet Trailhead
Black Velvet Trailhead
Black Velvet trailhead signs
Black Velvet Trailhead
Black Velvet trailhead information sign
Black Velvet Trailhead
Black Velvet Wall SAR information sign
Black Velvet Trailhead
Parking on spur road to the south (Mud Spring #2 Trailhead)
Black Velvet Trailhead
Black Velvet Road exiting the trailhead (view SE)

Table 1. Highway Coordinates (NAD27; UTM Zone 11S). Download Highway GPS Waypoints (*.gpx) file.

Site Location Easting Northing Elevation Latitude Longitude Verified
0519 Charleston Blvd at Scenic Loop Entrance 642120 3999525 3,681 36.13183 115.42059 Yes
1072 Late Night Parking 641417 3986150 3,930 36.01139 115.43080 GPS
1074 Black Velvet Parking 639758 3988689 3,862 36.03451 115.44875 GPS
1081 Late Night Parking at Black Velvet Rd 641548 3986183 3,938 36.01167 115.42934 GPS

Happy Hiking! All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 200202

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