Sometimes people are surprised that my family and I vacation in Las Vegas. After all, we’re more the outdoorsy type than casino-y. What many people don’t know, though, is that there’s excellent hiking near Las Vegas, including the Kraft Boulders and Kraft Mountain Loop!
Just a half-hour drive from the Strip, this easy hike is 100% doable in a half-day. So if you want to spend part of the day at the pool or exploring the kid-friendly casino attractions, you still have plenty of time to hike the Kraft Boulders and Kraft Mountain Loop.
You’ll want to visit this spot even more if you’re into rock climbing. It’s a popular bouldering location in Las Vegas. You’ll see many people hiking in with crash pads—the portable pad rock climbers place under themselves while bouldering.
Read on for great hiking near Las Vegas at the Kraft Boulders and Kraft Mountain!
Kraft Boulders Hike
One day on our most recent Las Vegas trip, Edie had a cold and was not feeling hiking. In fact, she wasn’t feeling anything but sick. But we basically forced her to come on the Kraft Boulders hike—and we’re all glad for it!
Edie perked up immediately. She and Maxine are pretty much obsessed with climbing anything and everything, so the Kraft Boulders were right up their alley.
From the parking lot, start out along the trail, marked by a black metal National Conservation Lands sign. Walk about a quarter-mile to reach the base of Kraft Mountain.
Here, huge hunks of rock fell from the mountain over the ages. Rocks create a jumble of climbing opportunities. Maxine and Edie wasted no time in scaling boulders and trekking up the mountain.
The hike to the Kraft Boulders can be as long or as short as you want. You can continue down the trail, adjacent to Kraft Mountain, to boulders farther along. Or you can pause and explore around the first, enormous boulder you’ll see: a red hunk of mountain several stories high.
As you hike, keep an eye out for horseback riders. One incredibly friendly rider stopped near us so Maxine and Edie could pet his horse. That was the cherry on top of our beautiful Kraft Boulders hike!
Kraft Mountain Loop
For a longer hike near Las Vegas, continue along the Kraft Mountain Loop. This 3.5 mile hike is on the harder side of moderate and takes you all around the pink mountain. The hike gains just over 600 feet in elevation altogether.
The hike includes several scrambles and a few steep sections. If you complete the loop, you’ll be rewarded with impressive views—including toward the nearby Red Rock Canyon.
Know that the Kraft Mountain Loop trail is not well marked. It can be even more confusing to do this hike because there are several options for routes. I recommend downloading a detailed map onto your phone, or printing one, because cell service is unreliable here.
Bouldering near Las Vegas
Whether you’re a pro or you’re wanting to learn bouldering near Las Vegas, the Kraft Boulders are a great destination.
With so many boulders and rock formations, you’ll always be able to find an open rock or route. The problems (climbing routes) range from beginner to advanced. Bouldering is a great way to begin rock climbing because you don’t need as much gear. Just remember to always climb with a spotter and a crash pad below!
Bouldering etiquette applies at the Kraft Boulders, of course. Don’t cut in, interfere with or distract other climbers. And as always, respect the outdoors: Pack out everything, as there is no trash service in this Las Vegas bouldering site.
Other hiking near Las Vegas
If you’re into the outdoors, you should definitely go hiking near Las Vegas. The desert landscape is gorgeous in a way that’s completely different than our home base in the Pacific Northwest.
Hiking near Las Vegas is also an excellent alternative to the more typical Sin City activities (cough, cough). Hitting the trails is also a super kid-friendly activity, especially considering that casinos aren’t exactly kid central.
Want more trails after you hit up the Kraft Boulders and Kraft Mountain Loop? Check out these nearby hikes.
Red Rock Canyon
Mere minutes from the Kraft Boulders, the Red Rock Canyon scenic route loops through epic landscapes. Wonderful hikes branch off from the scenic road. The only bad thing is that you’ll have to choose where to stop and hike: You won’t be able to trek all of them in a day.
My entire family loved Red Rock Canyon. It’s amazing how much the scenery changes in just a few miles. Look one direction to see bright red rocks and another for white cliffs sprinkled with snow.
I recommend either Calico I or Calico II as some of the most iconic Red Rock Canyon trails.
Valley of Fire
My other favorite hiking near Las Vegas is in Valley of Fire State Park. Just an hour drive from the city, you’ll feel like you’re a million miles away. The stark landscape is crisscrossed with unforgettable hiking trails.
The Fire Wave Trail is #1 among our favorite Valley of Fire hikes. Most of the trails here are short and easy enough for kids and hikers without much experience. The incredible rock formations are unforgettable.
See my detailed post on Valley of Fire for more recommendations!
Directions from Las Vegas to Kraft Boulders
Here’s how to get from Las Vegas to the Kraft Boulders and Kraft Mountain Loop.
Drive west on US-95 N.
Take exit 81A onto Summerlin Parkway.
For 5.5 miles, continue along Summerlin Parkway / NV-613.
Take the 215-S exit onto the Bruce Woodbury Beltway.
Take exit 26 onto Charleston Blvd / NV-159.
Follow Charleston Blvd / NV-159 for 3.7 miles. Take a right on Calico Basin Blvd. (Calico Basin Blvd is the road after the turnoff for Red Rock Canyon Campground. If you see the entrance to Red Rock Canyon, you’ve gone too far.)
In this residential area, continue along Calico Basin Blvd. until it takes a sharp right at the Calico Basin Trailhead. Take a right here onto Calico Drive, then an immediate left to Sandstone Drive. Continue until the end of Sandstone. On the left, use the parking lot for the Kraft Boulders.
If the parking lot is full, you can park along the street—just pay attention to areas where this is allowed and where it is not.
Are you ready to check out this easy hiking trail near Las Vegas? Such a family-friendly trail is a great break from the lights and sights of Las Vegas. Pin this for later so you remember to check out the Kraft Boulders and Kraft Mountain Loop!
