[Nbrake]

Which park is better for a day trip from Las Vegas? We are coming in August with our 2 children ages 2 and 7. Are they better in the morning or during sunset? Thanks!

[momofcrawler]

Sorry, but I'm avoiding both right now because of the heat. I can't really imagine hiking with my little guy in the triple digits. It is somewhat cooler in the mornings but sunset barely brings any relief. Red Rock has the 13 mile drive...I would stick to the car, personally! But maybe that's just me being a wimpy newbie. Others may feel differently.

[Tires]

Here are a couple camera phone pics from Red Rock earlier this month.

[dynimagelv]

you do NOT want Valley of Fire this time of year. Unless youre German...

[Ant1999e]

Red Rock.

[unf0rgiven6262]

Mornings are better by a long shot and I'd go with RedRock.

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by dynimagelv

you do NOT want Valley of Fire this time of year. Unless you're German...

It's not hot enough for Germans, they go to Death Valley in the summer.

The name "Valley of Fire" comes from the red sandstone, but summer gives it an additional meaning. Too hot at any time of day. Red Rock is higher in elevation, so early in the morning it would be OK to take the loop drive, and stop at all the lookout points. But don't try to hike it, except maybe for Icebox Canyon. Icebox Canyon is a side canyon where the temp is much lower than the rest of the park. You'll find it on all the maps, and the trail heads mostly all have turnouts for parking. There is a strange combination of cool air and water in Icebox that even allows Ponderosa Pines to grow. Normally Ponderosa Pines only grow at very high elevations where it gets very cold, so the ones in Red Rock Cyn are a rare phenomenon.

Actually though, you do not want a 2 year old to be hiking on those trails at all. Too many hazards, like rock scrambling, and steep cliffs, and loooong drop offs. For safety's sake, keep in mind that the rattlesnakes like the cooler morning and evening temps the same as you do, so you could see one on a trail. They hole up during the heat of the day, so don't let the little ones stick hands or fingers in crevices or bushes.

Honestly, you'd be much better off to go up to Mt. Charleston. As a point of reference, the Mt. Charleston Lodge is almost 8,000 feet in elevation, and even there it gets too hot to do much hiking in August except for early in the morning. But you can get up there in about 45 minutes. It's much closer than Valley of Fire, and not much further than Red Rock Canyon. There are few places at Mt. Charleston where you can hike on a dirt road with the 2 year old, such as at Lee Canyon, but it's further to drive. If my memory isn't shot, I think it starts at a camp ground just before the ski area. At the end of the road, if you follow the trail, which I wouldn't with the baby, it loops around to the ski area's upper parking lot. There are a few others too. The ski area at Lee Canyon is higher up than the Lodge at Kyle Cyn, so maybe it would be cooler.

If you go to the Lodge at Kyle Canyon, be sure to stop at the Forest Service Visitor Center, and take a look at the big sign/picture/marker my group put up to honor the Silent Heroes of The Cold War. In about two years, we will have a nice beautiful monument erected in a quiet corner of the new Visitor Center that is being built just before the Mt. Charleston Hotel on an old golf course site.

[jfkIII]

Just don't be fooled by the name, Icebox Canyon...it is still hot right now. Think of it as an icebox...on the defrost cycle.

[Hemlock140]

Even back in April when we hiked Red Rock it was in the 80s, a beautiful area but not like an easy walk. It's up and down rocks and seems like it would be miserable at 100+. I'd suggest early morning and head back as soon as it starts to heat up.

[esas]

Don't do it in August - you won't enjoy it.