Red Rock Canyon looks moody under winter storm clouds, with a yucca in the foreground. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is just 45min west of the Las Vegas strip and part of the Mojave desert. Its a stunning desert, and mountainous landscape that can be viewed via a one-way 13-mile loop that has multiple viewpoints and access to trailheads. There was a winter storm brewing that created these wonderful moody clouds in the mountains which are part of the Spring Mountain range.