Calico Overlook

The Calico Overlook Trail takes off from the Red Spring Trailhead. This is a popular trailhead and is located away from the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Loop Drive, meaning that you won’t have to pay any entry fees or make a reservation. The trail meanders past many large and intriguing sandstone boulders before looping back to the trailhead.

Begin by walking past the Red Spring Boardwalk and beginning a steep, rocky climb up the hill. This climb is the least enjoyable stretch of trail, but you will have a fair view once you reach the top. You’ll then descend down to the loop portion of the trail. If hiking the loop counter-clockwise you will soon veer right at a signed junction.

The trail then passes through the boulder field - the highlight of this hike. Enjoy the large sandstone rocks of all shapes and sizes as you pass through here, and keep an eye out for climbers on the hills above and to your right.

After passing through the boulders the trail will make a sharp left turn. This is very easy to miss, and at the time of writing this adventure, someone actually put a row of rocks across the junction as if to say “don’t turn here.” Ignore those rocks and make the sharp left turn. This is the apart of the trail on Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area's map. The trail then follows close to a wash as it heads east. The next junction to the left will reconnect you with the original trail and lead back up and over the first ridge you climbed. Descend the way you first came and return to the trailhead.