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.

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.