FINDING PEACE AT RED ROCK CANYON

Need a break from all that neon and noise along the Strip? Peace and quiet — and incredible desert scenery — are just a short drive away. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area sprawls along the city’s western edge, a mosaic of giant boulders, oasis canyons and vertigo inducing cliffs that lies at the far end of Blue Diamond Road and Charleston Boulevard.

The multicolored wilderness has appeared in numerous movies and countless episodes of the long-running “CSI: Las Vegas” television series. It’s also the place where locals escape all the glitz and gambling via dozens of different outdoor recreation options, from some of the nation’s best rock-climbing and canyoning to mountain biking, 4x4 safaris, horseback riding, stargazing, nature photography and soaking in shady canyon pools.

Even though it’s administered by the Bureau of Land Management, Las Vegans like to think of Red Rock as their own national park. And while it may not be quite as grand as that big ditch in nearby northern Arizona, the park is spectacular in its own right.

“Visitors should come to Red Rock Canyon to connect with this stunning place, to experience the Mojave Desert at its finest and to understand the balance we seek between world class recreation and conservation of crucial habitat for wildlife, diverse plants and for future generations,” says Andy Hart, executive director of the Southern Nevada Conservancy. “Red Rock Canyon demonstrates what a special place southern Nevada is. We are surrounded by amazing protected public lands.”

If you’ve never been to Red Rock before, the best place to start is the Visitor Center off Highway 159 (a 13-mile scenic drive through the park). In addition to maps, brochures and helpful info on where to go and what to do in the park, the center features outdoor nature exhibits, a desert tortoise habitat and eco-oriented gift shop.

Red Rock features two dozen hiking trails that range in difficulty from the easy Overlook Trail and Moenkopi Loop to challenging wilderness paths like the Grand Circle Adventure and Bridge Mountain Trail.

Die-hard rock climbers know the park for its Yosemite-worthy Aztec Sandstone walls. Experienced guides are available through the Red Rock Climbing Center.

Other popular activities include desert horseback adventures with Cowboy Trail Rides, outdoor summer theater at Spring Mountain Ranch, off-roading with Pink Jeep Tours, and either mountain biking along desert routes or road cycling along Highway 159.