Turtlehead Peak Trail in Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area

Turtlehead Peak Trail Overview

Turtlehead Peak Trail is a strenuous 4.6-mile (7.4-km) out and back hiking trail in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area near Las Vegas, Nevada*. The steep path requires some scrambling up an exposed trail to see one of the best panoramic views of Red Rock Canyon. Once you reach the top, you can even turn to see desert outside of the Conservation Area. The trail features orange-red striated rocks, sandstone, yucca, cactus, pinyon trees, and plenty of other vegetation.

This Turtlehead Peak Trail guide includes:

Turtlehead Peak Trail maps
how to get to the Turtlehead Peak Trail
how much it costs to hike on the Turtlehead Peak Trail (aka how must it costs to enter Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area)
a detailed description of the Turtlehead Peak Trail
Other things to do around Turtlehead Peak Trail and in Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area
Two alternative ways to hike the Turtlehead Peak Trail

*Looking for free things to do in Las Vegas? How about things to do in Downtown Las Vegas? Or things to do in the area – like a day trip to Death Valley? Joshua Tree? Solvang, CA? I’ve got a whole lot of resources!

Turtlehead Peak Trail Basics

A view of Turtlehead Peak from the lower part of the trail in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. — *View of Turtlehead Peak from the ground. Apropos name, right?*

Description: Turtlehead Peak (6,017 ft (1834 m)) is the highest point in Red Rock Canyon that you can hike to. The tallest peak is La Madre Mountain (8,154 ft). The trail starts a quarter mile from the parking lot, so it’s closer to a 5-mile (8-km) hike. At the top, you can see the La Madre Mountain range to the west and (in clear weather) Las Vegas to the Southeast. At some point during the hike, you’ll pass into La Madre Wilderness Area, but you’ll circle ack around to the Conservation Area.

Weather tip: The trail is wide open to the elements and it isn’t an easy climb. If it’s warm, you’ll want to get an early start to avoid the heat. Also, if it’s windy or rainy, you may want to reschedule your hike. A windbreaker or raincoat may be helpful, but many people report having to turn back on windy days because it gets so strong. Make sure to bring your sunscreen either way!

Human History: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area was given its designation in 1990, but the area’s history dates back much farther. The Paleo-Indians (Tule Springs) are thought to have arrived in the area around 11,000 BCE followed by San Dieguito, Pinto, Anasazi, Patayan Culture, and eventually the Southern Paiute. I couldn’t determine if Europeans removed the natives from this land, or if they naturally migrated. However, there are still petroglyphs, pottery, agave roasting pits (kitchens), and burial sites throughout Red Rock Canyon left by these groups. Protections have been sought and granted for several acres of this land thanks to local area natives, at least.

Distance: 4.6 miles (7.4 km) according to the Southern Nevada Conservancy, the operator of the land. It’s closer to 5 miles (8 km).

Elevation Gain: 2, 070 ft (631 m)

What to bring: The 10 Essentials. I also have knee problems, so I recommend trekking poles if you have them.

Difficulty: Strenuous due to areas of scrambling and short distances of high elevation gain. If you are highly experienced and/or have no physical ailments, you’ll find it easier.

A spiny, spindly tree along the Turtlehead Peak Trail. — *One of the cool trees you can find in the area.*

Time: Most people take between 3-4 hours. However, I stop and take pictures (and got a bit lost), so it can take longer (I took around 5 hours).

Facilities: There are restrooms at the Sandstone Quarry Parking Lot, which is where most people start.

Dogs: Yes, but only on a leash. Make sure your dog is okay with heights and can handle uneven jumps when you scramble.

Best time to go: I went in February, so it was mid-winter and what I recommend. It was wonderfully mild with no wind. Going in early spring or late fall are great options too. If you must visit in the summer, remember it is the desert, and it gets hot. You’ll want to take plenty of water, start as early as possible, and try to be done by 11am in this case.

Turtlehead Peak Trail Map

Turtlehead Peak out-and-back trail with an optional loop hike via Rattlesnake Trail.

At the beginning of the yellow path is where you’ll park if you want to park at Sandstone Quarry Parking Lot. Further down, off map, is the trail from Calico I and II parking, but I haven’t included that in the map as those are well-signed.

How to Get to Turtlehead Peak Trail & Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area

The Conservation Area is about 25 miles (40 km) from the Las Vegas Strip, which works out to a little over 30 minutes. If you are using a GPS, the address 1000 Scenic Loop Drive, Las Vegas, NV will take you to the entrance station. From the Strip and Downtown Las Vegas, you’ll approach from Charleston Boulevard, which turns into SR 159. From any other direction, you’ll join Route 159! From the south, you take SR 160 west to Route 159.

If you are flying in, Las Vegas McCarran International Airport is your best bet.

Also keep in mind, the road through Red Rock Canyon is one-way, so drive carefully or else you will have to drive all the way around the 13-mile (21-km) loop again. I forgot to make a note of which side of the road the parking lot is on, but I think it was on the right about 2.7 miles down the road.

P. S. I’ll never not link to my Barcelona itinerary where I rant about including how to get somewhere/where it is. Obviously, I’ve continued to include it!

Turtlehead Peak Trail Costs

There is a fee to enter Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area*. A one-day car/truck pass is $15/vehicle, motorcycle is $10/motorcycle, and bicycle/pedestrian is $5/person. Alternatively, you can get in without a fee if you hold an America the Beautiful Pass, which I highly recommend if you like the outdoors or National Parks. For $80, you get access to Federal recreation sites that charge an entrance or amenity fee for one year. The pass admits up to 4 adults per vehicle.

*There is also a reservation process through May 30, 2021. Timed Entry reservations are available online, and annual passholders can enter their pass number at checkout.

How to Hike the Turtlehead Peak Trail?

Part of the Turtlehead Peak Trail lined by rocks to keep hikers on track. — *Make sure to stay between the rocks (until they disappear).*

I’d suggest going up… then down. But in all seriousness! Although there is the alternate route via Rattlesnake Trail, start at the Sandstone Quarry Parking Lot and Trailhead. It’s difficult enough to stay on the trail the way most people go, and I find it best not to complicate it.

Once you park at Sandstone Quarry, there will be plenty of signage to get to Turtlehead Peak Trail. It’s a relatively flat stretch, and you’ll find yourself walking near a dry rocky riverbed (a wash) and sandstone. Stay in the stone-lined paths as these are the actual trail.

Soon, the trail veers up to the right. Here is where the markings begin to wane. The trail is generally well-worn so you can tell where to go, but there are some iffy splits and places it is hard to tell. I suggest staying to the left as much as you can because the west side puts you at the saddle (the lowest point along a ridge – here it is where the trail turns to the right and flattens for a bit) in an easier area. If you happen to go to the right at some splits, it will reconnect, so don’t worry*. This initial hike is steep, but just keep aiming yourself at the saddle. You can also look for blazes (red, white, and green – most people follow white up and red down) and some signs, but they are few and far between in my opinion.

*If you do get confused or lost, don’t panic. There was a point I couldn’t figure out how to safely scramble up, so I took a ten-minute break for some pictures! I sat on a big rock and considered my next steps – luckily, some hikers came by and I saw how they chose to do it. This trail is so popular you shouldn’t have to wait long if you become uncertain.

The view looking out from the top of Turtlehead Peak. Looking closely, you can see Las Vegas. — *If you look close, you can see Las Vegas in the distance.*

The crossing of the saddle is straightforward, but you’ll soon be going up again. Here, the signage is worse and the trail splits on joins even more. I suggest staying to the left as it will be a wider, less steep arch. As long as you are heading up toward the peak, any way is fine.

At the peak, you’ll see beautiful views and a trail register. It was in a metal military box when I went, so if you’d like to sign it, make sure to be on the lookout.

After you’ve taken in the sites, had a snack, and rested, I suggest you head back down the way you came. However, there is an alternate route down via Rattlesnake Trail.

Wildlife tip: Keep an eye out for bighorn sheep the higher you get.

Turtlehead Peak Trail Alternate Exit

Before heading up the Turtlehead Mountain, hikers can see lots of desert flora - lots of brush is pictured with a small rock pile/mountain in the background. — *There aren’t mountains every direction, but it looks interesting nevertheless!*

The alternate route to get down (and technically up) Turtlehead Peak. From the top, you can reach the end of Rattlesnake Trail on the wider arch path. This trail is even less marked, but if you keep walking down and around the mountain you will join the Upper Gateway Canyon Trail going south, go southwest into Ash Canyon, heads into Calico Tanks Trail. The Calico Tanks Trail will lead right back to the Sandstone Quarry Parking Lot. It is about the same distance and the out and back route. If you feel strongly about taking this route, I think it would be easier to follow this backward so you can head towards the peak.

Lengthening Turtlehead Peak Trail

Another alternative trail starts from Calico Hills Parking Lot 1. You can head about a mile down the trail and join with Turtlehead Peak Trail, which adds about 2 miles to the whole hike.

Other Things to Do in Red Rock National Conservation Area

Some of the other mountain formations hikers can see along the 13-mile drive in Red Rock Canyon. — *One of the views from the 13-mile Scenic Route.*

Of course, there are other trails. Some of the most popular hikes are Calico Tanks Trail, Ice Box Canyon Trail, and Calico Hills Trail. For an easy but fun option, take the Lost Creek – Children’s Discovery Trail.

Calico Tanks is a family-friendly hike that features wildflowers, some history in the form of an agave roasting pit, and a hidden water pocket. Depending on the season, there may or may not be water in the tank and it might be frozen if it’s there!

Ice Box Canyon Trail is a difficult to strenuous hike that goes through a shaded box canyon. It has scrambling areas and (in the right conditions, which are rare) waterfalls!

Calico Hills Trail is a moderate to difficult 6.5-mile (10.5 km) hike, but it’s very popular because of it’s huge rock hills. For a shorter, easier hike you can take a 2-mile section from the Calico I Parking Lot towards Calico II and back.

Lost Creek is a self-guided interpretive trail that includes pictographs, views, and a hidden waterfall that rarely has water.

If you need a break from hiking but still want to see the beautiful views, take your time driving and stopping on the 13-mile Scenic Drive! You’ll have to take the whole route regardless (it’s one-way), so why not enjoy it?