While we were staying in Pahrump, Nevada, we took a day trip to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. It’s located a few miles north of Las Vegas. It has timed entry reservations, so we had to plan ahead.

The red rocks in this area appear even redder next to the buff sandstone. The iron in the rocks causes the variations of red in the sandstone rocks.

Sandstone is a sedimentary rock and is very porous allowing water to flow through it. It is susceptible to weathering by water and wind which causes holes and striations or grooves in the rock.

At our first viewpoint, I noticed this rock with grooves and a dark brown coating which is called desert varnish. Desert varnish is formed slowly on rock surfaces made up of clay minerals, manganese and iron oxides.

Here you can see the layers of sedimentary rock. The different colors are from various amounts of or lack of iron oxide in the composition of the rocks.

Erosion exposed the layers in this rock.

We saw a couple of rock climbers in this area.

As we drove the 13-mile one-way scenic highway through the park, we got some epic views of the large valley we had just crossed.

We stopped for lunch at a picnic area. Nearby was a wall with Indian petroglyphs. After lunch, I took a little hike down this trail to see the ancient Indian artwork.

It takes some imagination to figure them out.

On my way back, I saw this interesting spotted rock.

As we made our way through this conservation area, we saw more beautiful scenery. Sadly, we didn’t see any Big Horn Sheep or wild donkeys.

As the afternoon sun lit up the mountains, we knew it was time to head back home. It was an hour drive to see it, but we were happy we took the time to visit this interesting and beautiful place.