Red Rock Loop

The curated story.

Twenty minutes from the Strip and a different planet entirely. The 13-mile one-way Scenic Loop winds past 3,000-foot sandstone escarpments, slot canyons, and trailheads ranging from stroller-easy to full-day scrambles. Timed entry is required from October through May — book online — but the early-morning slot is the secret: cooler temps, golden light on the cliffs, and bighorn sheep on the road. Pack water, even in winter.