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Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon: Day Trip from Las Vegas, Nevada

Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon: Day Trip from Las Vegas, Nevada

Perfectly situated for an ideal city escape, Las Vegas has the casinos, restaurants, & attractions you’d expect, but even standing among the bright lights of the Strip you can still see the desert beyond. And fortunately, natural wonders like Red Rock Canyon are just a short drive away.

How do you escape the tourist hordes that flock from the city to Red Rock Canyon? By going rock climbing of course!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BbjskCEntkN/?hl=en&taken-by=travelsavvygal

There are so many climbing spots that you can escape the main paths and get up close and personal with the red rock formations all around, and there are climbing routes for every ability level – even if you’ve never climbed before.

I knew before I even booked my trip to Vegas that I wanted to rock climb in Red Rock Canyon while I was there (I’ve been climbing over 20 years & climb whenever I can in my travels!) so sought out a guide for the day who knows the area and could provide equipment for the day.

In the end I went rock climbing in Red Rock Canyon with Mountain Skills, a small company accustomed to providing a personalized experience. They connect you with a local, knowledgeable guide whose goal is for YOU to have an incredible time.

After my rewarding full day out on the rock with guide Taylor, I can definitely say, “mission accomplished.”

Rock climbing in Red Rock Canyon

Rock climbing was the first thing I knew I wanted to do on a trip to Las Vegas – and yes, this is even before any of the casinos, restaurants, or shows on the Strip! Red Rock Canyon is stunningly beautiful, and my day rock climbing there was a definite highlight of my time in Vegas.

Entrance Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon Day Trip from Las Vegas, Nevada DSC_0005

Of course I knew the canyon was named after the red-colored rock you find there, but I was still taken aback by how the rocks and dirt are just so red. If you’ve ever been to Australia’s ‘Red Centre,’ you know what I’m talking about. Plus, throughout Red Rock Canyon there are really interesting rock formations that extend for miles – a rock climbing dream!

Parking Lot Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon Day Trip from Las Vegas, Nevada DSC_0018

It was just me and the guide rock climbing in Red Rock Canyon, so I had a completely personalized experience tailored to what I had discussed with Mountain Skills when booking the day and also with guide Taylor that morning. I did a bunch of easier long climbs, then after warming up moved on to some challenging sections.

Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon Day Trip from Las Vegas, Nevada DSC_0039Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon Day Trip from Las Vegas, Nevada DSC_0042Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon Day Trip from Las Vegas, Nevada DSC_0056

Even though I’ve been rock climbing a long time, it’s always exhilarating when I reach the top of a climb – muscles pumped, heart racing, the satisfaction of hitting my target – and then taking a pause at the end of the climb to let my body and breathing catch up. The whole experience is magnified being outdoors in beautiful surroundings, soaking up a breathtaking view from the top.

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The satisfaction of rock climbing outdoors is just as good if it’s your 1st climb or your 1,000th climb.

Of course, what goes up must come down, and I also had a blast rappelling down several of the climbs.

Rappelling Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon Day Trip from Las Vegas, Nevada 20171111_095613

Usually when there is someone belaying you on the rope, that person would just lower you down. My guide, Taylor, was great about asking about whether I wanted to rappel and setting up the ropes so I could lower myself – which meant going at a speed of my choosing and also being able to stop at various points and just take in the amazing views.

Rappelling Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon Day Trip from Las Vegas, Nevada 20171111_095630

Sure, it’s nice to hike around Red Rock Canyon (which plenty of visitors were doing) but there is just a different, satisfying perspective that you get hanging off the edge of a giant rock face.

When my hands were tired and my muscles were sore, I also had a chance to explore some of the red rocks on foot, and take in some pretty incredible landscapes.

Enjoying the view Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon Day Trip from Las Vegas, Nevada DSC_0093Enjoying the view Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon Day Trip from Las Vegas, Nevada DSC_0118

And the road that runs through Red Rock Canyon is a 13-mile one-way loop, so there’s a scenic drive through the entire area on the way out at the end of the climbing day.

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Why I seek out a rock climbing guide when I travel

If you were reading closely up until now, you may have caught the fact that I have been rock climbing for over two decades. Even though I started many years ago, I still enjoy it so much that I go several times a week when I’m at home.

I also seek out rock climbing when I travel as much as I can, and so far have rock climbed outside in 7 countries! (Australia, Egypt, Israel, Italy, Thailand, Vietnam, & the US for those of you keeping track.)

You might be thinking at this point – “Lana, you sure sound experienced, so why do you rock climb with a guide on the road?”

For me, there are a few factors that tip the scales. Unless I am rock climbing close to where I live with climbing buddies I trust, I always seek out a guide.

If you’re not already familiar with rock climbing, unless you engage in the nail-bitingly dangerous (and often lethal) sport of free climbing with no safety gear, you tend to climb with another person.

If you are ascending with a rope, you’ll want a skilled person on the other end of the rope to serve as your “belayer,” holding onto the rope and ready to catch you if you fall at a moment’s notice. Even if you’re “bouldering” – doing shorter sections that don’t go as high off the ground – you’ll want someone to spot you and help break your fall if needed.

My travel these days is about half solo travel and half traveling with someone else or a group. Even on those trips where I have a traveling companion, it’s very rare though that I am traveling with a fellow rock climber.

Which means I’ll need someone else to rock climb anyway. A guide.

Benefits of a guide

For me, there are a few key benefits of having a guide for outdoor rock climbing, which is why I seek out guided rock climbing in my travels again and again.

Access to the rock climbing route.

Depending on where you are in the world, it’s not always so obvious or accessible to get to the area with rock climbing routes. For climbing on an island in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam or far away from the tourist hubs in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt or inside a cave in northern Thailand, going with a guide typically means they will transport you to what may be a hard-to-find or hard-to-access climbing locale. And you don’t have to worry about getting lost on the way!

Enjoying the view Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon Day Trip from Las Vegas, Nevada DSC_0170

Knowledge of rock climbing areas.

When I’ve climbed outdoors without a guide it’s only been in countries I was living in (the US and Italy) because I went often enough to be familiar with the routes or had a guidebook or went with a local friend who knew the climbing areas – or all three!

If you have a thorough guidebook with reliable information, you may be able to find climbing areas on your own, but in the end nothing beats local knowledge of climbing areas from the people who rock climb there regularly. Books can be out of date and storms can rearrange landscapes, so even with a good source, a person to serve as a guide is still the best bet.

Rock climbing equipment.

First off, if you’ve never rock climbed before or have only tried it a few times, you probably don’t have any rock climbing equipment of your own. Which is fine, because your guide can provide this!

For any frequent rock climbers out there with their own gear like me may encounter some of the other challenges I’ve faced. Several of the trips when I’ve gone rock climbing have been part of 2-4 week journeys of me backpacking around, meaning that luggage space was tight. It is both bulky and heavy to bring climbing equipment with you on the road if you’re not traveling by car. You may not want to lug it around for your whole trip.

On my most recent trip to Vegas when I climbed in Red Rock Canyon, I flew a discount carrier that only allowed one small bag of luggage. And just imagine how bulky and heavy 70 meters (over 200 feet) of rope can be!

Usually I’ll bring my own climbing shoes that I’ve already broken in – and sometimes my own harness – but leave it up to the guide to provide the majority of the gear needed for a rock climbing excursion outside.

Arranging rock climbing with Mountain Skills

As I’ve mentioned, I’ve done a fair bit of guided rock climbing in many countries, and Mountain Skills was one of my all-time easiest experiences from start to finish. It was easy to arrange through the website, the team was communicative and clear about what was needed and included, and the day itself went smoothly.

The model of Mountain Skills is to have a bunch of potential guides in all their locations, including by Red Rock Canyon, so they were able to accommodate my first choice of date. I received detailed instructions to the meeting point and about what was needed as well as prompt communication when the original guide was sick and someone else came in her place.

My office contact discussed my ability level beforehand so that my ultimate guide Taylor knew in advance which areas would be best for the day. This is the time to communicate what you’re comfortable with or interested in doing for the day, so don’t be shy!

Even if you’re not going to Las Vegas any time soon, Mountain Skills also has experienced guides in other parts of the US, like upstate New York and New Mexico, as well as international rock climbing opportunities in Mexico and Thailand.

There is the option for half-day or full-day climbing, as well as multi-pitch for more advanced climbers, with the price per person depending on the number of people in your group. Groups are kept deliberately small to give you personalized attention and keep everyone safe.

In Las Vegas, summers can get very hot, so peak rock climbing season is during the spring and fall.

For insurance reasons you need a vehicle to access Red Rock Canyon from the city, but I found it quite reasonable to rent a car for the day – and I even got a free upgrade from my basic economy option to a blue Mustang convertible.

TIP! Many hotels have car rental places inside, so even if you’re staying on the Las Vegas Strip, you may have some good nearby options for this.

TIP! If you can’t find what you’re looking for at your hotel or a nearby one, it’s a quick ride to the airport to rent a car from the wider selection there.

I had a wonderful experience and would definitely climb with Mountain Skills again, and hope to make it make to the dramatic landscapes of Red Rock Canyon for some more rock climbing!

What activities do you seek out in your travels? Have you every tried rock climbing? What gets you into the great outdoors when you’re visiting a city? Let me know in the ‘Comments’ below!

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Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon Day Trip from Las Vegas, Nevada

Note: I received a discount in exchange for sharing my rock climbing experience with Mountain Skills on my blog. My opinions, as always, are entirely my own.

Travel Bucket List: Best Light Shows Around the World

Travel Bucket List: Best Light Shows Around the World

I didn’t necessarily set out to see some of the most renowned light shows around the world, it just sort of happened.

I first knew that I’d write this blog post when I was visiting Dubai late in 2016 not long after a visit to Singapore, two of the more famous places to see light shows on a grand scale. And that was after another memorable light show I took in earlier that year.

But something was missing.

VEGAS.

Las Vegas, Nevada is one of the more famous places in the world to catch a light and fountain show on a grand scale, and is well visited by Americans and foreigners alike. I just hadn’t been. Yet.

With my recent trip to Las Vegas late last year, I feel like I’ve now completed the main places you can enjoy the collective entertainment of the outdoor spectacle that is the light show.

And the best part?

All of these are FREE and open to the public.

Many of them even have fountains putting on a show with colored lights and music. And all are worth seeking out when you’re on the road!

Best Light Shows Around the World

Barcelona, Spain

Image via Pixabay
Image via Pixabay

I was debating including this one on the list, but it is beloved by so many and the only spot on this list in Western Europe, so here it is – the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc. This is a comprehensive light display with a wide range of colors and fun, themed medleys to go along with the show, that both children and adults can appreciate. Showtimes can be found HERE.

TIP! The Magic Fountain only runs on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings (Wednesday – Sunday in summer), so plan your visit accordingly!

     READ MORE: How to Make the Most of a Weekend in Barcelona

Dubai, UAE

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If you’re visiting the Burj Khalifa, world’s tallest building, you’ll already be up close and personal for the record-breaking show at the Dubai Fountain that you can view with the looming skyscraper as the backdrop. The nuance of the choreography of the fountains is mesmerizing and the shapes and light are quite the spectacle. Most shows take place during the evening hours, every 30 minutes. Details about the relatively new paid viewing platform and exact showtimes are HERE.

TIP! Viewing spots fill up quickly so get there early to stake out a good vantage point on the show.

     READ MORE: Top 10 Things to See & Do at the Dubai Mall (That Aren’t Shopping!)

Hong Kong

Image via Pixabay
Image via Pixabay

The Harbour at night

The Symphony of Lights in Hong Kong only runs once a night at 8:00pm, but it is worth seeking out because it involves over 40 buildings across Victoria Harbour! There is also music to accompany the show, which you can hear live at two designated spots or you know, listen on your phone because there’s an app for that. I enjoyed catching it outdoors with the live music at the Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) waterfront, which has the same communal feel you’ll get at the other light shows around the world.

TIP! You can also watch the show in all directions by taking a ride on the Star Ferry across the Harbour during the show.

     READ MORE: How to Make the Most of Chinese New Year in Hong Kong

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

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You’ll have plenty of chances to see the Fountain Show at the Bellagio, which repeats multiple times every afternoon and evening, with different choreography and musical accompaniment. Although the Bellagio Fountains perform more often than the other light shows on this list, the length of each show is shorter – typically under 5 minutes for the length of a single song. But there is nothing like the rush of being close to the power and force of the fountains during the show, which can impressively shoot jets of water nearly 500 feet (over 150 meters) into the air!

TIP! If you want to see the show more than once, aim for an evening time when it repeats every 15 minutes.

TIP! Stand a bit to one of the sides for the best angle on the show and if you’re close be wary of the spray when the wind catches.

Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Singing Fountains Plovdiv Bulgaria Best Light Shows Around the World 20160826_221312 (2)Singing Fountains Plovdiv Bulgaria Best Light Shows Around the World 20160826_221743 (2)

This is probably the least well-known town on this list, but one with an incredibly impressive and lengthy light and fountain show that kept me mesmerized for a good part of the evening. Known as the Singing Fountains, the water and light show that ensues does not disappoint. Plovdiv has also been named a European Capital of Culture for 2019 and CNN thinks it will be the next big European destination, so get there soon before the rest of the crowds do!

TIP! The Fountains only run on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, so plan your visit accordingly!

     READ MORE: 11 Incredible Reasons to Visit Plovdiv, Bulgaria – in pictures!

Singapore (Gardens by the Bay)

Gardens by the Bay Singapore Best Light Shows Around the World 20161106_195922

The ‘trees’ of Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay have solar cells to gather power during the day to fuel each night’s light and music spectacular. Showing twice nightly at 7:45pm and 8:45pm, I only caught this my last night in town – had I been earlier, I would have come back every night of my trip! The musical theme rotates every two months, and as someone admittedly obsessed with live theater and musicals, I was lucky enough to visit when the show was Broadway-themed:

Singapore (Marina Bay Sands)

Image via Pixabay
Image via Pixabay

Marina Bay Sands Hotel Singapore Best Light Shows Around the World 20161103_200649

You may know the Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore more for its iconic rooftop infinity pool, but the light show there is just as impressive – and open for all. There is some serious technology involved in creating the Spectra Light and Water Show here nightly, and it is so massive it can be seen from high vantage points all over the city. It is also one of the longest shows on this list, providing 15 minutes of color and wonder.

     READ MORE: 11 Ways Singapore is Like Hong Kong – And Why You Should Visit Both!

Light Shows to Check Out Next

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list, and now that I’ve enjoyed so many, more light shows are definitely on the horizon for me. Also on my radar for future travel:

Haifa, Israel

Okay, so this one doesn’t even exist yet, but a light show is coming soon to this city on the Mediterranean. I was less than impressed with the nightlife options in Haifa when I first visited nearly 20 years ago, and this latest investment is in part to extend the evening entertainment options in the city. This is planning to launch in late 2018, so stay tuned!

     READ MORE: Insider Bucket List – Top 20 Experiences to Seek Out in Israel

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I didn’t even know this one existed until I recently saw a photo on Instagram! Another Asian metropolis joins the ranks of Hong Kong and Singapore in the race to outdo one another when it comes to their city light spectaculars. I’ll definitely seek this one out the next time I’m in Asia.

What light shows have you seen around the world? Which ones stand out most? Any that are missing from this list? Share away in the ‘Comments’ below!

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Travel Bucket List - Best Light Shows Around the World

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