Tortoise Trot Trail Run: Enjoy Spectacular Views for a Great Cause!
This October, enjoy breathtaking views of Red Rock Canyon while supporting efforts to preserve and protect our beautiful public lands! The Tortoise Trot Trail Run is an untimed 5K-ish trail run/walk. It starts and finishes at the Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center. The course features a mix of road and trail along the stunning Moenkopi Loop, offering 360-degree views of one of Southern Nevada’s most iconic landscapes.
If you can’t make it to the trail run itself, don’t worry! Friends of Red Rock offers a virtual 5K that you can complete anywhere! Run or walk the distance on the LVAC indoor track, or from across the world, and you will receive your participant t-shirt in the mail! Tortoise Trot participants who walk the Red Rock Canyon trail will also receive a medal to add to your collection!
Perfect for the whole family, the Tortoise Trot Trail Run event is open to participants of all ages. Children ages 5–11 must be accompanied by an adult for safety. Please note: no jogging strollers or dogs are allowed on the course.
Space is limited to 300 participants. Register now to secure your spot for a fun and memorable morning in the canyon!
About Friends of Red Rock Canyon
Friends of Red Rock Canyon is celebrating its 41st year of supporting Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. As the first Friends group established within the Bureau of Land Management system, they’ve proudly led the way in stewardship, education, and conservation.
Friends of Red Rock Canyon is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to promote the preservation and enhancement of Red Rock Canyon NCA through volunteerism, philanthropy, and education.
Red Rock Canyon NCA spans over 200,000 acres of spectacular desert landscape. If offers world-class climbing routes, scenic hiking and cycling trails, equestrian paths, a beautiful visitor center, and a protected Desert Tortoise habitat. As one of the most visited BLM sites in the country, Red Rock Canyon is projected to welcome up to 5 million visitors next year.
Hiking as a Health Benefit
Hiking offers a powerful combination of physical and mental health benefits. Physically, it strengthens your muscles, improves cardiovascular fitness, and supports joint health—all while being a low-impact. Mentally, hiking allows you to unplug from daily stressors, reconnect with nature, and clear your mind.
The steady rhythm of walking through scenic trails can be meditative, helping to reduce anxiety and boost your mood. Exposure to fresh air and natural light also supports better sleep and overall well-being. Hiking is a simple, effective way to improve both body and mind.
Nature’s Past, Your Present
Red Rock Canyon holds a rich and fascinating history that spans millions of years. Did you know that Red Rock was once submerged beneath an ancient ocean? The area’s iconic red sandstone cliffs were formed through a combination of shifting tectonic plates and wind-blown desert sands, dating back over 180 million years. For centuries, Native American tribes lived in and around the canyon, leaving behind petroglyphs and other cultural artifacts.
Red Rock Canyon plays a vital role in conserving the Mojave Desert tortoise. To protect these animals, the canyon has established a dedicated Desert Tortoise Habitat at the Visitor Center, where rescued tortoises live and serve as ambassadors for their species. This habitat offers visitors an opportunity to learn about the tortoises and the challenges they face. Conservation efforts include public education programs and designated habitats to safeguard the tortoise population.
Now protected as a National Conservation Area, Red Rock Canyon stands as both a geological wonder and a place deeply rooted in human history. Visitors can glimpse into the past and enjoy the tortoise habitat in the present.
