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| - This is a prime example of why Yelp rocks so. I have been to Vegas dozens of times and never would've known about this place if it weren't for my Yelp friend, Heather M's check-ins, photos, and review. I finally made the drive, which is only about a 1/2 hour highway drive from the Vegas strip. The GPS on my iPhone did a fine job of guiding me here. Once you arrive, simply follow the signs. There was a $7 fee, per car, for a one-time visit. An annual pass may be better for locals.
The 13-mile route is a oneway road, wide enough for 2 cars, however, there are no painted lines. If you're driving slowly, for whatever reason, be mindful. You may easily pull to the right side of the road and allow others to pass; this is what I did as we were sight-seeing. Once you're on the loop, you have to finish it; there is no turning around, as it's one-way only.
Try to go early enough so that you'll have time to visit each viewpoint/ pull-off. We went around 6pm and only had time to stop and explore at the first one. I really enjoyed this one though. It was an easy hike to the rocks. The scenery was beautiful. After 3 years of living in the desert, I had my first experience with a real, live, snake. Thankfully, a good samaritan noticed my head was in the air, not paying attention, so he warned me to watch out. It was a long, yellow and black snake. No one seemed to be alarmed, so I assume this snake was harmless, but I kept my distance all the same.
As we continued around the loop, the sun began to set, casting ravishing hues of red and orange on the rocks. Drive slowly; the roads are winding and there are some steep drop-offs. Take your time and enjoy the views safely.
T-mobile service is 0-bare out here. It took a while for me to find a signal strong enough to allow me to check-in.
The listed hours on Yelp indicate they're only open until 4:30pm. That is only for the visitor's center. You may still drive and hike the 13-mile loop until 8pm or 8:30pm (verify upon arrival).
Worth the drive and the entrance fee. If I lived in Vegas, this would be my workout place. Beautiful and quiet/peaceful. Great spot for yoga and/or meditation. Bring a camera; like, a real camera.
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