We never realized that there was an oasis of natural beauty located only 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip. What a true treasure.

This exceptional area features dramatic red sandstone peaks, a 13-mile scenic drive, and over 20 hiking trails, offering a major nature escape. It also has a picturesque campground where our evening concluded.

Our first stop was at the Visitor Center to get a lay of the land and the kids' Jr. Ranger booklet.


Through the Park volunteer, we learned of this must: Red Spring: A Desert Oasis.

For thousands of years, both wildlife and people have depended upon Red Spring for its lush vegetation, abundant food, and permanent water. This water allows a diverse community of plants and animals to thrive that are different from those of the surrounding arid desert. So very, very cool.

A raised boardwalk allows visitors to admire from a protective distance. What a delight to encounter rock writing. This communication comes in two varieties, petroglyphs and pictographs. The difference between the two types is the manner in which they were made. Petroglyphs were pecked into the surface of the rock.  Pictographs were painted on the rock. In Red Rock Canyon, a coating of dark "desert varnish" on lighter sandstone provides the perfect medium for petroglyphs. Red Spring area has a wide variety of different styles on the cliff faces and fallen boulders. We were able to see examples of both styles, located right next to one another.


We spent a peaceful night here.

Our rental trailer was returned to its Vegas location so the last two nights have our son and his crew tent camping.

We began our journey towards home, embarking on the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area 13-Mile Scenic Drive, a premier, one-way paved loop which features stunning views of red-colored sandstone cliffs, desert landscapes, and over 12 major trailheads, taking approximately 40-50 minutes to complete without stops. Needless-to-say, it took us quite a bit longer (who wouldn't have stops?).

These were the prettiest park potties we have ever encountered. It proves an artist palette can be anything!



Our son always carries a trash bag everywhere he goes. This was a first to see a cigarette warning actually ON the offending item.





What a journey of delightful surprises!

I firmly believe that I was born in the wrong decade. I have such a fondness for the era that was Route 66 in its heyday.

We detoured off the 'new' road in order to see the Walnut Canyon Bridge in Winona, Arizona. This historic 101-foot Parker Truss steel bridge, completed in June 1924, is famous for being part of early U.S. Route 66.


Even roadside parks evoke a different era. I loved this rocket. I'm pretty certain I played on one just like it in my youth.





Williams offered us a pit stop at Pete’s Route 66 Gas Station Museum, a vintage gem. This restored 1949 gas station is more than just a photo op—it’s a little museum dedicated to Route 66 and the heyday of classic service stations.

This selection of artifacts made me laugh. Did you ever do the "Prince Albert in a can" joke, a classic prank call that originated in the mid-20th century? The caller asks a store clerk, "Do you have Prince Albert in a can?" When the clerk says "Yes" (referring to the tobacco brand), the caller replies, "Then you'd better let him out!". It relies on misinterpreting the tobacco product as the historic prince. Good times!




Under new ownership in 1962, a new shaft was blasted in the limestone and an elevator was installed. The place was called "Grand Canyon Caverns" and the motel, caverns complex and gas station became "Dinosaur City". During the cold war years, from 1950 to 1960, there was a dinosaur-mania period that saw several dinosaur movies released. This probably prompted Victor Leon to rename the spot Dinosaur City and place dinosaur statues here. One of them is a 12-foot tall T-Rex, and it is still here guarding the entrance to the caves and allowing cheesy photo ops.
For 40 years, visitors were allowed to take self guided tours. We were happy to have Charles escort us down 21 stories to lead us through the vastness with stories, history, and humor for over an hour.





The caves were once designated as a fallout shelter in the event of a nuclear strike on the US and a cosmic ray detector was placed in the caverns in 1969 as part of a research project of the University of New Mexico. Cool stuff.



The Visitor Center has a small museum and it showcases items found in the Cavern over the years.

My son had no idea what these cubes were. Talk about a flashback. I can almost hear the sound it made and the odor that followed.
I appreciated the fact that there was a camera there to show what the flash was all about. This visit was a trip down Memory Lane for many reasons.
We didn't have to go far to camp. Located right on the grounds is the Grand Canyon Caverns Campground. What an idyllic spot for our final night on Route 66.