Cowboy Cave at Red Rock
Overview of Cowboy Cave Hike
Located in Red Rock Canyon, this is one of those hikes that you need to with someone who has been there before as if you try to find the caves yourself, you may not find them.
The cave is 60 degrees year-round, incredibly dusty, and humid.
Unfortunately, visitors have felt the need to leave behind their mark with lots of graffiti and snapping the stalactites from the cave ceiling.
Warning
Cave warning: Caves are dangerous as they can be unstable.
Asthma warning: Once inside the caves the dust is THICK! I coughed a lot but made it okay. For those who have issues with dust, going inside the cave is not recommended.
Cowboy Cave Trail Info and Stats
- Route Type: Out and Back
- Distance: Approximately 2 miles
- Elevation Gain: Approximately 420′
- Elevation: 4,080′
- Difficulty: Easy hike with elevation gain until you get to the climb to the caves where there is some scrambling. There are places that could be a concern if you are afraid of heights and/or exposure.
- Time: The hike should be able to be completed in 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on how long you explore inside the cave.
The Trail to Cowboy Cave
The hike to the area where the caves are located is not too hard and then you will need to scramble up the mountain to the cave entrance.
The scramble up the mountain does have some steep areas with exposure.
How to Get to Cowboy Cave
Trailhead: The trailhead is one mile past the Scenic Loop entrance, look for the “Horseback Riding” sign on the left.
Fees to Access Cowboy Cave
There is not a fee to access the trail to Cowboy Cave
[irp posts=”161″ name=”Red Rock Canyon Recreation Area in Las Vegas”]
Parking at Cowboy Cave
Limited, so get there early.
Kid-Friendly
Yes, with careful supervision for younger children.
Dog-Friendly
Personally, I would not take my dog on this trail due to the rocks and the possibility of hurting their paws. I have seen people take their dogs there but again, I would not.
Restrooms at Cowboy Cave
There are portable restrooms at the Cowboy Trails.
Cell Phone Service at Cowboy Cave
Unknown at this time.
What to Take on Your Hike to Cowboy Cave
Easy hike and not much is needed other than a headlamp.
I do not recommend relying on a flashlight as you will need your hands to climb once you are in the cave.
Below are my recommendations of what you should take on this hike:
- Snacks
- Daypack
- Hydration pack with 2 liters of water
- Headlamp or flashlight (a must if going into the caves)
- Extra batteries for your headlamp (or take an extra as a backup)
- Hat or helmet to avoid cuts and bumps if you hit the ceiling, etc.
Additional Cowboy Cave Photos
Parking area – this is the sign to look for on the left side of the road if you are entering via Charleston.
The road that leads to the canyon where the caves are located.
Small cave on the right that is perfect for a break to cool up before venturing further into the canyon.
A look back towards the parking area from the cave entrance.
Inside the cave – you can see there are areas where you can fully stand and not hit your head.
DISCLAIMERS:
- I am a hiking enthusiast and not an expert, the information shared here is from my personal experiences and research to share with others as a reference.
- All stats such as distances, elevations, elevation gains, ratings, and times are approximate based on mobile apps, GPS data, Google Earth, and other references compiled as a resource.
- Click here to view my current hiking diary of other trails and points of interest for reference.