Recreation
Grapevine Canyon near Laughlin |
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Grapevine Canyon near Laughlin Details
- Hours of operation: Laughlin visitors center open Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Cost: Free.
- Location / Distance from Las Vegas: About one hour from Las Vegas. From the Strip, take Interstate 15 south to the 215 Belt Route headed east. Then take U.S. 95 south. At the signs for Laughlin, take Nevada Route 164 headed east. There are small signs indicating Grapevine Canyon on the left about seven miles outside of Laughlin.
- Travel options: Bus, private vehicle.
- On the way: You can check out Boulder City along the way. Be sure and have a full tank of gas.
- Amenities: None.
- What you'll need: Water, sunscreen, hat, and sturdy shoes.
Grapevine Canyon near Laughlin Review
It's a mile-and-a-half drive on a smooth, graded and ranger patrolled gravel road to the trailhead. Here you'll find a passageway that dates back centuries.
Walk up the easy, one-mile trail and witness the announcements of our continental forebears.
Carved into the rocky walls of the canyon mouth, these enigmatic looping, geometric and curvy lithic inscriptions are akin to the sacred frescoes found in cathedrals.
Billboards of deep and old hopes and needs, Grapevine Canyon's petroglyphs are to be seen only. Even the slightest contact with human hands is incrediblly destructive to these carvings.
During spring and summer, wild grapevines fill the canyon's stream bed. Small waterfalls can be found in wetter months, too.
The rocky mountain peak above Grapevine Canyon is known as Spirit Mountain and is sacred, like the canyon, to the Yuman tribes of the lower Colorado River region.
The continuing road over Christmas Tree Pass is recommended only for high-clearance/four wheel-drive vehicles.
-- Review by Greg Thilmont
