OVERVIEW

The Bootleg Canyon Area is located on the north side of Boulder City, just outside the border of Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Recreational opportunities in the Bootleg Canyon Area originally were developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. The trail fell into disrepair, but Boulder City and partners found funding to restore the trail system. Hikers now have a nice, paved parking lot at the edge of town, a trailhead high on the backside of Red Mountain, and three maintained hiking trails. Other recreational opportunities include mountain biking, a very long zip-line, and even paragliding.

Link to Area Map.

From within the Boulder City urban area, the River Mountain "Foot" Trail leads out of town and up a steep, rocky canyon (following a nice trail with switchbacks) to the crest of the ridge at the saddle between Black and Red mountains. When viewed from Boulder City, the big red mountain to the north is Red Mountain, and the big black mountain is Black Mountain.

From the crest of the ridge at the saddle between Black and Red mountains, trails lead in opposite directions. To the west is Red Mountain Trail, and to the east is Black Mountain Trail. Neither trail actually goes to the top of the named mountains, but both go to nice overlooks with grand vistas in all directions.

WATCH OUT

Other than the standard warnings about hiking in the desert, ...this is a fairly safe hike. There are some places where a hiker could stumble off the trail near the crest of the mountains, but there are no unusual hazards on this trail. The Black Mountain area is part of the Bootleg Canyon Bicycle Trail System, so be sure to watch for bikers careening down the trail.

GETTING TO BOOTLEG CANYON

This area is located on the north side of Boulder City, just west of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area Visitor Center, about 45 minutes southeast of Las Vegas.

There are two hiking trailheads: one at the foot of the mountains in Boulder City, and one at a parking lot high on the backside of Red Mountain. In either case, from Las Vegas, drive out to Boulder City.

Highway 93 Trailhead

For the hike-up trailhead, from the stoplight and left turn on Highway 93 near downtown Boulder City (Table 1, Site 0802), turn left and continue eastbound on Highway 93 for 0.7 miles. Watch for a large brown "River Mountain Trail Parking" sign and left turn (Site 1016) onto a short access road that leads to a parking lot with spaces for 25 vehicles. Park here; this is the River Mountains "Foot" Trail trailhead.

Red Mountain Trailhead

For the drive-up trailhead, from Highway 93 in Boulder City, turn left onto Yucca Street (Site 1021), which is about 0.6 miles before getting to the stoplight and left turn on Highway 93 near downtown. Watch for signs to the Nevada Railroad Museum and Animal Shelter, which are on Yucca Street. Turn left onto Yucca Street and drive northwest to Industrial Road. Turn right onto Industrial Road and drive northeast to Canyon Road. Turn left onto Canyon Road and drive northwest to the end of the pavement.

On the dirt road, bend hard to the right, then to the left, continuing northwesterly. Stay to the right at major forks in the road in order to go around the east side of a big gravel quarry.

Just before crossing the River Mountain Loop "hiking, biking, and horse" Trail (Site 1022), the pavement starts again and leads to Bootleg Canyon Park and the bottom of the zip-lines (Site 1023). Continue northwest into Bootleg Canyon on a graded dirt road. Watch for rocks and holes in the road, stay to the right, and continue 1.8 miles to a parking area (Site 1024) on a narrow ridge near the top of Red Mountain. A few yards farther, a gate blocks the road. Park here; this is the drive-up trailhead.

HOURS

The park is always open, but some hiking areas are day-use only.

ENTRANCE FEES

None.

CAMPING

None.

PERMITS

None.

SOME RULES AND REGULATIONS

The Bootleg Canyon Area is a mixed-use area with lots of mountain bike trails and a few hiking trails. While hikers can use the bike trails (at your peril!), bikers may not use hiking trails.

Camping is not permitted.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

The original Bootleg Canyon website seems to be off-line, but an interactive map of the Bootleg Canyon trails is available.