Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada – Overview

The Rainbow Mountains are that colorful line of impressive Jurassic Era Sandstone peaks on the West side of Nevada’s Red Rock Canyon. They stretch from Rocky Gap Road on the Northwest edge of Red Rock Canyon to their Southern edge on Hwy 160 at Potosi Mountain. The Rainbow Mountains form a border between Red Rock Canyon and the next canyon to the West: Lovell Canyon.

Best Views of the Rainbow Mountains

See these colorful mountains in all their glory from Red Rock Canyon during the early morning hours. Here are some great viewpoints:

From Your Car:

• The first two pullouts on the East side of the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive.
• The high point at the North end of the Scenic Drive and the viewpoint picnic area just South of the Scenic Drive near its exit on Hwy 159. 

Hiker Views from Surrounding High Points:

• The Grand Circle Loop just above Scenic Drive viewpoint #1
• The Calico Hills at the summit of the Grand Staircase
• The South Ridgeline of Blue Diamond Hill
• The Western High Ridgeline on Blue Diamond Hill

Hikers can enjoy at least 4 main features of the Rainbow Mountains:

1. The Rainbow Mountains Eastern Baseline Trails: This line of easy class 1-2 trails give hikers a close up experience of the Rainbow Mountains. The 4 trails stretch from the North edge of the Rainbow Mountains at Lost Creek Canyon to the North side of Mt. Wilson at Oak Creek Canyon. Hikers skirt the cliffs along the Eastern base of the Rainbow Mountains traversing the colorful sandstone there as they weave around massive sandstone boulders. Spring wildflowers are spectacular, as are the expansive views of Red Rock Canyon.
2. The Rainbow Mountains Eastern Canyons: More challenging are the beautiful canyons lining the East side of the Rainbow Mountains. Expect to encounter challenging brush, boulders and ledges as you weave along beautiful creeks and waterfalls (in the Spring). These canyons are a unique wilderness wonderland with beautiful Pinyon Pines, Ponderosa Pines and Junipers lining the canyons and dotting the majestic cliffs on either side. The canyons to the North are more friendly to beginners than the more challenging canyons to the South.
3. The colorful Rainbow Mountain Peaks: These are a world class rock climbing destination for climbers at all levels of skill and experience from class 3 rock scrambling to vertical cliffs requiring the greatest level of skill. Most of the major peaks can also be reached from the gentler slopes on the West side of the Rainbow Mountains in Lovell Canyon.
4. The Rainbow Mountains Upper Crest Ridgeline: This more ancient limestone ridgeline runs the entire length of the Rainbow Mountains above the colorful Jurassic Era sandstone peaks. It’s possible to hike the entire length of this ridgeline experiencing spectacular expansive 360-degree views at every point! Though you can see the Las Vegas Strip at many points along the way, you’re in a deep wilderness environment with spotty to missing paths.

There’s much more to the Rainbow Mountains. This is just the most basic introduction to this unique spectacular wilderness!