Overview

A number of nice use-trails have become established in the Red Rock Canyon Campground Area. The Campground Wash Loop Trail (1.54 miles round trip) runs west from the public trailhead and drops into Red Rock Wash. The route runs up the wash below cliffs to a break in the cliffs, climbs above the cliffs on a use-trail, and loops back to the trailhead following old roads and use-trails. Except for getting into and out of the wash, this loop is flat and easy with broad expansive views. After hiking this loop, consider hiking one of the other short or long loops in the campground area.

This hike is nice because it is close to town and not on the Scenic Loop Drive. This makes it free, a quick little get away from town, and it minimizes time driving to and from the trailhead.

Link to map.

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about hiking in the desert, ...this hike is about as safe as hiking in the desert can be, but don't get too close to the edge of the cliffs because the edge is unstable.

While hiking, please respect the land and the other people out there, and please try to Leave No Trace of your passage. Also, even though this hike is short and close to civilization, be sure to bring what you need of the 10 Essentials.

Note that bicycles are not allowed in this area, dogs on leash are okay, and be sure to pick up your dog poop.

Getting to the Trailhead

This hike is located in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, about 30 minutes from town, but not on the Scenic Loop Road. Drive out West Charleston Blvd to Moenkopi Road and turn left towards Red Rock Campground.

For non-campers, drive south on Moenkopi Road about 0.3 miles to Moenkopi Road Trailhead (Moenkopi Road Recreation Site parking area). Park here; this is the trailhead.

For campers, continue south into the campground, park at your campsite, then walk out into the desert and pick up the trails.

The Hike

From the trailhead (Table 1, Wpt. 01), two trails run west across a flat, sparsely vegetated area. The Campground Wash Loop Trail is a loop, so hikers can walk in either direction, but as described here, this hike takes the right trail.

Heading west, hikers shortly arrive at an old road (Wpt. 02) that (relative to the trails) cuts diagonally across the area. Following the old road northwest, the road quickly runs down over the edge of the cliffs and cuts across the slope into the bottom of Red Rock Wash. (Wpt. 03).

In Red Rock Wash, the route runs up the wash following along under cliffs on the edge of the wash. The larger trees in the wash are desert willow, not a true willow, but they get long narrow leaves similar to true willows. The more common shrubs are desert almond and black-banded rabbitbrush, and there are a few Mojave yucca and Eastern Joshua trees about.

At the end of the cliffs (Wpt. 04) on the left, a side-wash comes in from the south. On the far side of the side-wash, the trail cuts steeply up the bank. The trail runs up across the hillside, crosses back over the side-wash, and runs somewhat steeply up a hillside to a trail junction (Wpt. 05) at the top of the bluffs. The trail to the right runs south to climb Fire Station Hill, but the Campground Wash Loop Trail turns left and runs north back towards Red Rock Wash.

Near the edge of the cliffs above Red Rock Wash, the trail bends right to run east. The trail quickly turns into an old two-track road, which is followed east toward the trailhead. The old road runs far enough from the edge of the cliffs to be quite safe, but spots along the edge (Red Rock Wash Overlook in particular) invite closer inspection and nice views. The edge is not entirely stable, so don't get too close.

Above the cliffs, the vegetation is typical Mojave Desert Scrub habitat type with lots of creosote bush and white bursage, plus Nevada ephedra, spiny menodora, and galleta grass. Also watch for beavertail cactus and cottontop cactus.

Continuing east past Red Rock Wash Overlook, the two-track road fades into a single-track trail, and before long closes the loop when it intersects the diagonal road (Wpt. 02) passed earlier. Hikers will see that the trail to the left runs over the edge towards Red Rock Wash, while the right crosses the old road and continues to the east.

Before long, parked vehicles come into view as hikers return to the trailhead (Wpt. 01).