Hiking with Kids Open
Cliff Shadows Open Desert Park
4.7(129)4.7 out of 5 stars, 129 reviews Las Vegas, NV
About Cliff Shadows Open Desert Park
Cliff Shadows Open Desert Park is a hidden gem offering diverse desert hiking trails, from easy to challenging, with excellent panoramic views of the city and the Strip, including connections to the Red Rock conservation area. It's a multi-use park suitable for hiking, mountain biking, picnicking, offroading, and is dog/horse-friendly. The area provides natural shade in the late afternoon, making it uniquely suitable for sunny summer evenings, though generally best enjoyed outside peak summer heat.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Active families and groups seeking diverse outdoor activities.Dog owners looking for extensive dog-friendly hiking trails.Mountain bikers and offroad enthusiasts.Picnics with scenic views.Those looking for solitude and uncrowded natural spaces.
Why families love it
- Lots of different trails, offering both easy and challenging options.
- Generally not crowded, described as a 'hidden gem' with only a few people (bikers, dog walkers).
- Provides excellent panoramic views of the city and the Strip from the trails.
- Trails extend up, around, and next to surrounding mountains.
- Dog-friendly, horse-friendly, and bike-friendly trails.
- Connects to the Red Rock conservation area via a wash.
Insider tips
- Bring sturdy hiking boots due to loose rocks on trails.
- Avoid hiking alone; go with a companion.
- Bring plenty of water and food for your visit.
- Visit outside of the summer months for more comfortable temperatures, or stick to late afternoons in summer for shade.
- Exercise extreme caution during and after rain due to active flood channels.
Good to know before you go
- Hiking alone, particularly in more secluded areas.
- Midday during summer months due to potentially rough temperatures.
- Visiting during or immediately after rain due to flood channels.
- If you are uncomfortable with isolated areas or the presence of homeless encampments.
- Loose rocks on trails necessitate hiking boots.
- Crowds
- Very low: 'not crowded at all', 'only a few people on bikes and a couple walking their dogs', 'only saw one other person hiking'.
- Value
- No specific pricing mentioned, suggesting it is a free public park or has minimal fees. The value is high given the extensive trails, views, and multi-use options without a reported cost.
- Food
- Outside food and picnicking are allowed and encouraged ('Bring water and food', 'picnic').
- Accessibility
- No specific accommodations mentioned. The presence of 'loose rocks' and 'trails up, around, and next to mountains' suggests limited accessibility for wheelchairs or strollers.
- Safety
- A reported 'small homeless encampment' below a mountain trail may be a concern.
What parents say
"Nice hiking trails. I took the hounds and they had fun. Lots of different trails, not crowded at all."
4 months ago
"This is a fantastic hidden gem. Only a few people on bikes and a couple walking their dogs. Trails up, around and next to all the surrounding mountains. Crossed the wash into Red Rock conservation area and climbed up the hill a bit, got an excellent view of the city and strip. Dog/horse/bike friendly trails. Late afternoon, entire area is shaded by the mountain. Very nice for a sunny summer day."
a year ago
"Hiked October 1st, 2022 around 1pm with my husband. We did not finish the hike around the huge mountain though it was great exercise. Hiking boots are a must with the loose rocks. I highly recommend NOT hiking there alone. Only saw one other person hiking it and came across a small homeless encampment below the mountain trail."
2 years ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
More hiking with kids in Las Vegas
Hiking with Kids Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
4.8(24,851)4.8 out of 5 stars, 24851 reviewsMountain Springs
Hiking with Kids Floyd Lamb Park
4.7(4,390)4.7 out of 5 stars, 4390 reviews9200 Tule Springs Rd, Las Vegas
Hiking with Kids Clark County Wetlands Park
4.7(4,327)4.7 out of 5 stars, 4327 reviews7050 Wetlands Park Ln, Las Vegas
Hiking with Kids Lone Mountain Park
4.8(1,671)4.8 out of 5 stars, 1671 reviews4445 N Jensen St, Las Vegas