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Lost Creek Canyon

4.8 ★★★★★ 198 Google reviews · Running trail in Las Vegas, Nevada · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Boardwalk
Distance
1 mi
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Not reported

Confirmed from Lost Creek Canyon's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Boardwalk1 miScenicHillyTrailhead parking

What runners say about Lost Creek Canyon

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (198 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 6 mentions

“One of my Favorite trails have a lot of scenery on a beautiful waterfall as a reward”

👟 good for all levels 6 mentions

“*Lost Creek trail is a nice, short, family friendly hike with a seasonal waterfall and features several plant species and cultural sites.”

This is a lovely short hike, and with all the rain we've had recently, the waterfall was going quite nicely. Even in the driest of times, the trail goes through a riparian (stream) area, and there's actually a small wetlands there, complete with boardwalk so that we visitors don't destroy it.

★★★★★ — Lisa , Mar 2019

Probably my new favorite spot in Red Rock besides the First Creek waterfall. It’s a nice quick hike and it takes you to a beautiful wooded canyon, and it is quite the sight to see the ‘waterfall’ (trickling snow melt or monsoon runoff depending on season) emerge from behind the trees in the middle of the Mojave Desert.

★★★★★ — Nicholas , Feb 2023

1st hike of the year!!! 🤣👍 Taking it slow and simple to get back in shape and pace after the holidays. *Trail Difficulty: Easy *Trail Distance: 1-mile RT *Elevation Gain: 200 ft *Trailhead: Willow Spring Picnic Area *Time Required: 1 hour *Lost Creek (also known as Children’s Discovery Trail) is one of the easiest…

★★★★★ — Claudine , Jan 2023

This is a short hike through the desert bush and into a small canyon, noticeably cooler than the surrounding areas. There is an overhang where a small waterfall forms with the melting snow, as well as a cave and large boulders.

★★★★☆ — Tom , Jan 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 198 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 25 mentions

“My sister, my nephew, and I had the BEST time exploring Lost Creek Canyon … This waterfall its perfect in winter & spring after rain or snowmelt — short hike and well worth it.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 5 mentions

“Some parts of the cliff faces and hills have small caves and overhangs, and the multi-colored hues of the surroundings are entrancing; red, pink, yellow, white.”

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🪵 Boardwalk 2 mentions

“The trail is narrow, with trees; stone stairs; rock-covered natural tunnels; petroglyphs; a boardwalk; and depending on the season and rains, a waterfall.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

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Plan your run at Lost Creek Canyon

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
  • Distance1 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Websiteredrockcanyonlv.org
  • Phone(702) 515-5350

Where to find Lost Creek Canyon

Children's Discovery Trail, Las Vegas, NV 89161

Get directions

Running trails near Las Vegas

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Ice Box Canyon Trailhead

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Canyon hike (sometimes strenuous, sometimes moderate, sometimes short), featuring a waterfall and rock formations, with an icy section known as the “Ice Box”.

under a mile away

Calico Tanks Trail

4.9 ★★★★★ 456 reviews

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Popular out-& back hiking trail on red rock with scrambling sections & scenic views of the canyon.

3.0 miles away

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

4.8 ★★★★★ 25,797 reviews

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Natural wonder with red rocks draws those looking to hike, rock climb or go for a scenic drive.

4.2 miles away

Calico Basin Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 393 reviews

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BoardwalkScenicDog-friendly

Scenic trail running along the base of the Calico Rocks, popular with hikers & rock climbers.

4.4 miles away

Middle Oak Creek Trailhead

4.9 ★★★★★ 109 reviews

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Popular hiking area featuring trails with varying difficulty levels and scenic views.

4.6 miles away

South Oak Creek Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 273 reviews

Las Vegas, NV

LoopNatural surfaceScenic

Tranquil hiking area boasting scenic views and a popular Sunday drum circle.

5.4 miles away

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Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.