Contemplative Trail and Sand Canyon Trail Loop

The Contemplative Trail and Sand Canyon Trail Loop is a short hike located in Red Rock Canyon Open Space. This hike explores some of the western half of the open space. This loop is 1.8 miles long and gains 216 feet of elevation.

This hike starts from Red Rock Open Space Lot 1 off of High St. There are portable toilets available here. Begin hiking west on a dirt trail. After 0.1 miles, you will turn left onto Sand Canyon Trail. Shortly after this, you will hike past a red rock formation.  0.2 miles down the trail, you will encounter a junction and go right and begin hiking on Contemplative Trail. You will be hiking amongst small trees and shrubs. The trail also passes between multiple red rock formations. The trail will now be heading slightly uphill as you wind through the western half of Red Rock Canyon Open Space. After 0.3 miles, you will come to another junction and go left to stay on Complentative Trail. 

Continue uphill on Contemplative Trail for 0.3 more miles. Here you will come to a junction and go left. After 0.1 miles, you will come to another junction and go left onto Sand Canyon Trail. This is the high point of the loop. Begin hiking downhill on Sand Canyon Trail. Again, you will be hiking amongst small trees and shrubs. You will also have great views of red rock formations. After 0.3 miles, you will come to a junction and go left. You will reach another junction after 0.1 miles of hiking. Go left here. Continue on Sand Canyon Trail back to the trailhead.

Red Rock Canyon Open Space is open for hiking year round. There are no associated fees to hike here. Dogs are allowed on this trail, but they must be on a leash at all times.