While tour buses queue at Red Rock, Sloan Canyon sits almost empty ten miles from the Strip in south Henderson. This 48,000-acre BLM conservation area protects one of the most significant rock-art sites in the Southwest — over 300 panels with more than 1,700 petroglyphs left by Ancestral Puebloan, Southern Paiute and archaic peoples over 3,000 years. The main Petroglyph Canyon trail is a 5-mile round-trip walk up a dry wash into the North McCullough Wilderness, ending at a natural amphitheater of dark basalt cliffs covered in etched bighorn sheep, spirals and human figures.
The trail is unshaded and rocky — treat it as a proper desert hike, not a stroll. Start no later than 8:00 April-October and carry 3 liters of water per person. The trailhead is at the end of a residential street (Nawghaw Poa Rd off Democracy Dr in Anthem) with a small paved parking lot and pit toilets; the gate is locked at posted closing time and yes, they will tow. Guided ranger hikes on Saturday mornings (October-April, free) are the best way to actually understand what you’re looking at.
Hours
- Trailhead open daily 6:00-20:00 (Apr-Sep) / 7:00-17:00 (Oct-Mar)
- Visitor contact station Fri-Sun 8:00-15:00
- Gate closes at posted times — cars locked in overnight
Good to know
How much does Sloan Canyon cost?+
Free — no entry fee, no parking fee. It's BLM-managed conservation land with no gate booth.
Are ranger tours free?+
Yes. Guided petroglyph hikes on Saturdays from October to April are free but require an email reservation with the Sloan Canyon visitor contact station.
How long is the hike?+
The main Petroglyph Canyon trail is 5 miles round trip, 3-4 hours at a moderate pace with photo stops. Elevation gain is 500 ft. Plan a half day including drive time.
When is it closed?+
The trailhead gate is locked overnight — 20:00 in summer, 17:00 in winter. The area itself has no full closures, but summer heat advisories may prompt rangers to discourage midday hikes.
Do I need to book?+
Not for regular hiking — walk-up only. Ranger-led hikes require an email reservation; group permits for parties over 15 people also require BLM approval in advance.
How do I get there from the Strip?+
25 minutes / 15 miles via I-15 south to St Rose Pkwy east, then south on Las Vegas Blvd to Democracy Dr in Anthem, then Nawghaw Poa Rd to the trailhead. No transit; rideshare $30-40 one way but essentially no return signal at the trailhead.