Overview

Willow Springs Road is a 0.6-mile paved spur-road in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area that connects the Scenic Loop Road with the Lost Creek Trailhead, the Willow Springs Trailhead, and Rocky Gap Road.

Willow Springs Road provides access to the Rainbow Mountain Wilderness Area, La Madre Mountain Wilderness Area, numerous hikes, some good birdwatching, and lots of grand scenery with a variety of desert vegetation types.

Link to road map.

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about driving in the desert, ...this is a fairly safe road. Lost Creek is a 15-mph zone, so drive carefully and watch for pedestrians crossing the road.

While out, please respect the land and the other people out there, and try to Leave No Trace of your passage. If the parking lots are full, drive on and plan to come back some other time; don't flatten more vegetation with your car. Also, even though this road is short, be sure to bring what you need of the 10 Hiking Essentials.

Getting to Willow Springs Road

From Las Vegas, drive out West Charleston Blvd to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Pay the fee and drive around the one-way Scenic Loop Road for 7.2 miles to Willow Spring Road, on the right, and which is 0.5 miles past Mile Marker 7.

The Road

From the Scenic Loop Road (Table 1, Site 0526), Willow Springs Road turns right and runs northwest. The road runs up over a low hill, then drops gradually to Lost Creek Trailhead, on the left at 0.2 miles out. Watch carefully for pedestrians stepping into the crosswalk from behind bushes on the right.

Continuing, the road parallels Red Rock Wash, on the left, as the canyon bends lightly to the right. Shortly, the picnic area is visible on the right. The road passes the lower restroom (accessible) facility, then arrives at the main Willow Springs Picnic Area. The pavement ends at the Willow Springs Trailhead, about 0.6 miles out. There are many picnic tables (some under the cottonwood trees) and another restroom facility. The actual spring is under the trees near the edge of the cliffs.

Technically, Willow Spring Road continues as a very rough dirt road, however, the name changes to Rocky Gap Road. Most hikers stop near the end of the pavement.

For photos of the return, see Willow Springs Road Return.