Redstone Dune Loop Trail: What to Know Before You Go
The Redstone Dune Loop Trail is a short, easy half-mile walk through eroded Jurassic-era Aztec sandstone — small caves, niches, and at least one natural arch — right at a developed picnic area on Northshore Road. Real facilities here include picnic tables, grills, covered shelters, and restrooms, though there's no drinking water on site. The area has evidence of human habitation going back thousands of years, part of the larger Pinto Valley Wilderness. Welcome to Redstone, an easy stop with genuine geological character.
Trail Snapshot
Distance | Approximately 0.5 miles round trip
Elevation | Minimal (trailhead elevation 2,155 ft)
Difficulty | Easy
Hike Time | 15 to 30 minutes
Fee | $25 per vehicle (1-7 day pass), $15 per person pedestrian/cyclist, $45 annual pass — cashless, card only
Restrooms | Yes, restrooms/pit toilets at the picnic area
Pets | Allowed, must be leashed
Elevation | Minimal (trailhead elevation 2,155 ft)
Difficulty | Easy
Hike Time | 15 to 30 minutes
Fee | $25 per vehicle (1-7 day pass), $15 per person pedestrian/cyclist, $45 annual pass — cashless, card only
Restrooms | Yes, restrooms/pit toilets at the picnic area
Pets | Allowed, must be leashed
How to Reach the Trailhead
The trailhead is at the Redstone Picnic Area, clearly signed along Northshore Road at the mile 27 marker, with ample parking at the south end. Lake Mead National Recreation Area's entrance fee ($25/vehicle) applies.
What to Expect on the Trail
One of the easiest walks in this whole series — a short, nearly level loop suitable for essentially any visitor. No significant hazards exist on the marked loop itself. There's no cell reception here, and no drinking water at the picnic area, so bring your own.
Caves, Niches, and an Ancient Dune Field
Jurassic-era Aztec sandstone, eroded over millions of years into red rock formations, hills, and boulders, fills the area — visible small caves, niches, nooks, and at least one small natural arch, all within the 39,173-acre Pinto Valley Wilderness. Evidence suggests human habitation in this general area for at least 4,000 years, per one source, though that is a general regional claim rather than something confirmed specific to this exact site.
Best Time to Visit and Conditions
October through April is explicitly recommended; summer highs here reportedly exceed 115 degrees, with even early mornings above 80.
Practical Advice for New Visitors
- Bring your own drinking water — none is available on site.
- Pack sun protection.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Download offline maps given the lack of cell reception.
- Point out the caves, niches, and small arch along the loop to kids.
- Real picnic tables, grills, and restrooms here — a genuine developed stop.
- Summer heat is extreme here — stick to October through April.
- The surrounding area invites some off-trail exploration if you want more than the short marked loop.
For an easy, genuinely scenic stop with real picnic facilities, the Redstone Dune Loop is a solid quick addition to a Northshore Road day trip. Pack a picnic, wander the short loop, and take in the eroded sandstone formations at your own pace.
