Overview:
The 5,200 acre+- Calico Basin Recreation Area is a popular rock climbing and hiking destination within and on the Easterly edge of the larger Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Located just West of the Vegas Valley, Calico Basin is a colorful area tucked between the gray limestone of the La Madre Mountains to the North, the red sandstone of the Calico Hills to the West and a desert ridge to the South. Compared to the surrounding desert, Calico Basin is sheltered and relatively moist with "lush" Mojave Desert Scrub vegetation back-dropped by the sandstone cliffs of the Calico Hills providing a very scenic experience.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages Red Rock Canyon N.C.A. and is also responsible for the management of the Calico Basin Recreation Area. However, within Calico Basin lies approx. 200 acres of private holdings (ranch style properties). Being one of Southern Nevada's most popular outdoor recreation destinations, Calico Basin is experiencing ever increasing visitation as the surrounding urban population and demand for outdoor recreation grows. In reality, Calico Basin is being "loved to death" which raises many concerns such as resource damage, inadequate infrastructure, parking issues and impacts to homeowners. At present, Calico Basin has no entry fee or timed entry restrictions, however the BLM is considering implementing a fee / entry system similar to the one in use for the "Scenic Drive" section of Red Rock Canyon.

The Red Spring Boardwalk (aka Calico Basin Boardwalk) is a fully accessible hike in the Calico Basin Recreation Area of Red Rock Canyon N.C.A. The boardwalk circumvents an alkali meadow which is saturated (or seasonally flooded) by "slightly salt laden" waters from Red Spring. This "abundance" of water allows salt-tolerant plants (eg. Yerba Mansa, Saltgrass, Alkali Sacatone grass, Velvet Ash trees) to thrive as opposed to the more drought tolerant species typically seen outside the meadow's perimeter. Along the trail the red sandstone cliffs of the Calico Hills (look for rock climbers) tower over the boardwalk with awesome views in all directions. Highlights include up-close views of the Calico Hills, petroglyphs, lush green vegetation (very colorful in fall) and a chance to see wildlife. The Red Spring area is surprisingly scenic (with many things to see) and a great place to relax and or explore.

  
...trailside scenery
  

Information / Tips:
Bring plenty of water / snacks, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and comfortable shoes. Make sure you have a full tank of gas and a fully pressurized spare tire. Dogs are allowed on leash. DON'T forget your camera.
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•  Red Spring Parking amenities:
    ADA, regular & over-sized vehicle parking
    Note: weekend parking can be problematic
    shaded picnic tables (individual & group)
    Note: group tables need reservation
    barbecue pits, trash receptacles, vault toilets
    information signage
•  Red Spring Boardwalk amenities:
    information signage, benches
    handrails (where appropriate)
    Note: handrails (can cause static shocks)
•  Red Spring Boardwalk: ADA accessible
    (use your own judgment)
•  Fees: none
•  Limited Shade (on boardwalk)
•  No Water Available
•  Prevent Resource Damage
    (stay on boardwalk)
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nearby: Ash Spring Trail
nearby: Calico Basin - South Trail
nearby: First Creek Canyon Trail
nearby: Rubber Ducky Tree
nearby: Scenic Loop Drive
nearby: Wilson Pimple

Warning:
This adventure involves travel to a relatively remote area, please refer to the section on desert travel for safety information.
•  Look for wildlife, watch for snakes
•  Be mindful of lightning / flash floods
•  AVOID THE AREA DURING EXTREME HEAT
•  You are responsible for your own safety

Trail Description:
The Red Spring Boardwalk is located at the Southwesterly end of the Red Spring Picnic Area parking lot. From the parking lot walk Southwesterly on a concrete sidewalk thru the middle of the adjoining picnic area to the start of the boardwalk proper. The boardwalk switchbacks up a marshy hillside beneath tall Velvet Ash trees up to the edge of an alkali meadow and in short order reaches a "fork" in the boardwalk. At the "fork" turn Left (Southerly) in a "clockwise" direction as the boardwalk "skirts" along the meadow's Southeast edge. Continuing along the boardwalk which before long loops Southwesterly visitors will "hit" another junction in the boardwalk. This "junction" exits the meadow area along a boardwalk spur (to your Left) towards the Calico Basin Overlook trail (see Trail Note below). From the aforementioned "junction" continue straight following the boardwalk to its most Southwesterly extent at Red Spring. This area is shaded by Velvet Ash trees and is a moist environment with exceptionally lush vegetation that affords wildlife (eg. birds, insects, reptiles, small mammals) shelter and a respite from the desert heat. Unlike in the past, this area of now lush vegetation makes viewing Red Spring (exits a natural sandstone tunnel) hard to see and is "testament" to the boardwalk's protective qualities. Continuing along the boardwalk as it turns in a Northerly direction, with great views Easterly over the meadow and the the Calico Hills rising abruptly to the West, the boardwalk "hits" another junction. To the Right, a short section of boardwalk ends at a platform more towards the middle of the meadow. Back at this "latest" junction, continue Northerly following the boardwalk for a short distance to an area where petroglyphs can be easily seen, just Left (Westerly) of the boardwalk. Look around for additional petroglyphs, including some further away from the boardwalk and a few higher up among the cliffs. Continuing Northerly, the boardwalk crosses sandy soils that lie Northwesterly of the meadow. Thru this area, look to both sides of the boardwalk for tracks left in the sand by local wildlife (eg. Coyote, Kangaroo Rat, Quail, snake, lizard, Desert Tortoise). Continuing on, the boardwalk bends Easterly, runs along the Northerly side of the meadow (great views to the North) and closes the "loop" at the previously visited "fork" located near the switchbacks. Return to the parking lot by backtracking down-slope thru the switchbacks. Approx. distance (as described): 0.50 miles.
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Trail Note:
The Calico Basin Overlook trail (not described on this web-page) runs from the Southeasterly side of the picnic area and affords access to the Red Spring Boardwalk as noted in the Trail Description above. This use-trail (not ADA accessible) ascends an East-West running ridge lying Southerly of the picnic area to an "unofficial" overlook (location: N36.14313 W115.41865) with spectacular views of Calico Basin and the surrounding area. Note: use-trails are sporadic in nature and often "venture out" in all directions. Within this area of Red Rock Canyon N.C.A. many use-trails exist and can make things "somewhat" confusing. Therefore it is recommended to utilize internet mapping resources such as aerial photography (not always current) and waypoint positions to visualize your route. Approx. distance (out & back) from Red Springs Picnic Area to this "unofficial" overlook: 0.58 miles.

Driving Directions:
From the I-15 (Las Vegas Fwy.) interchange with W. Flamingo Rd. proceed South on I-15 (in the right 2 lanes) for 1.3 miles+- and take the off-ramp for County Rd. 215 West (Exit #36). Continue South on Exit #36 (parallels I-15) following the signs for County Rd. 215 for 1.7 miles+- and take the off-ramp towards County Rd. 215 West. Continue along the off-ramp for 0.20 miles+- and "bear" Right towards County Rd. 215 West eventually merging onto County Rd. 215 West in approx. 0.50 miles. Continue on County Rd. 215 West, which transitions into County Rd. 215 North, for a total distance of 12.9 miles+- and take the off-ramp for NV-159 (Exit #26). Continue along the off-ramp for 0.30 miles+- and turn Left onto NV-159 towards Red Rock Canyon. Travel 3.80 miles+- on NV-159 to the signed turnoff for Calico Basin Rd. and WP1. Turn Right onto Calico Basin Rd. traveling Northwesterly then Westerly for a total distance of 1.20 miles+- to the intersection of Calico Dr. From the intersection of Calico Basin Rd. and Calico Dr. continue straight (Southwesterly) into the Red Spring Picnic Area Parking Lot and WP2. Return by reversing route. Approximately 22 miles from central Vegas Strip to the Red Spring Picnic Area Parking Lot and Red Spring Boardwalk.
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WP1:    N36.14160  W115.39947

WP2:    N36.14658  W115.41902

Note:
See desert travel for GPS Waypoint info
All distances and waypoints are approximate