The Blue Diamond Overlook trail lies just outside of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, and features views of the Las Vegas valley and skyline.
This was not my first trip to Las Vegas… but the first one where I discovered there’s a hiking mecca not far from the bright lights of The Strip. Even before reaching my intended hike, I spot a hiking trail that starts near the edge of Highway 160, and decide I’ll see where it goes… I’m pretty sure, years later as I’m writing up the hike, that it’s the Blue Diamond Overlook trail.
The trail is fairly flat for the first kilometre, with views to the north of the distinctly coloured peaks of Calico Basin.
As the trail ascends Blue Diamond hill, you can see Highway 160 to the south-west, snaking up to Mountain Springs and into the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
From the vantage point of the Blue Diamond Overlook, you can see Las Vegas in the distance to the east.
Almost directly below is the mining town of Blue Diamond, flanked by the hills of the Red Rock Canyon.
It’s then back the same way to the car, and onto Turtlehead Peak, my intended destination and hike for today!
| Location | Start / finish at on Highway 160, 2.3 miles past the junction with Blue Diamond Road |
| Distance | 5.5km (3.3 miles) return |
| Grade | Easy. Total ascent is 190m. |
| Season/s | All year (but gets very hot in summer) |
| Map/s | Interactive topographical map [AllTrails] Custom topographical map (A4, 1:18K) [PDF] download |
