Calico Tanks Trail
Sandstone scrambling ends at a desert water pocket. Water in the tank is seasonal and ecologically sensitive.
Artwork inspired by Oskar J. W. Hansen
The trail enters Calico Hills through cross-bedded sandstone, sandy washes, stone steps, and short hand-and-foot sections before reaching a natural tank and high view toward Las Vegas. Water in the tank is seasonal and ecologically sensitive.
Use the Sandstone Quarry trailhead after securing any required scenic-drive reservation. Route markers can be subtle on bare rock; avoid wet sandstone, lightning, and extreme heat, and turn around before the final scramble if exposure or footing exceeds your comfort.
- Setting
- Las Vegas
- Route
- Sandstone scrambling ends at a desert…
- Allow
- Half day
Quick guide
- Interpretive pair
- Calico Tanks overlook ↔ Protect the seasonal tank
- Closing move
- Las Vegas context
Calico Tanks Trail: follow markers across bare rock and look closer
- Follow markers across bare rock
- Protect the seasonal tank
- Look closer
- Calico Tanks overlook
- Plan for
- Use the Sandstone Quarry trailhead after securing any required scenic-drive reservation
- Leave with
- One clear connection between calico tanks overlook and Nevada
Good to know
Route markers can be subtle on bare rock; avoid wet sandstone, lightning, and extreme heat, and turn around before the final scramble if exposure or footing exceeds your comfort.
Notice these
- Calico Tanks overlook
- Protect the seasonal tank
- Las Vegas context