Thousands of hikers around the globe make the trek every year to Las Vegas, Nevada, of all places, to experience a hike around the Spring Mountains and through the various red rock formations in the Red Rock Canyon area. The Sandstone Canyon Overlook Horse Trail Loop is one of the more popular destinations for hikers and sightseers in the area.

The Spring Mountains in southern Nevada are huge and offer a never ending assortment of activity potential for visitors. From a small Clark County community called Mountain Springs, you can get to the Sandstone Canyon Overlook and experience a difficult hike that will test the limits of anyone who enjoys hiking as a hobby.

The overlook is located on the actual Mountain Spring trail pass, so you have to go up the mountain a bit before you even get to it. This is the type of destination you go to, knowing full well what you’re getting into. All visitors should be ready for a hike; and if you’re bringing horses, make sure you’re an efficient rider before attempting to climb the trail.

Almost everyone who has made the trek and hiked around the trail has had pretty much the same impression – it’s very strenuous and takes a while to complete. However, the views stand out as priceless and cannot be seen from anywhere else on the entire mountain. The overlook is unique in that sense, and just the accomplishment of making the hike is worth it to some.

The distance can also be grueling for anyone not moderately in shape. Since the Horse Trail Loop is the main trail at the Sandstone Canyon Overlook, it only goes one way – around in a giant loop that stretches out for a good 10 miles. Needless to say, it will take a few hours to complete.

You’re not very high up on the mountain when you reach the Sandstone Canyon Overlook. At 1,700 feet, give or take, it’s a good elevation for horses and the views are wonderful.

The condition of the trail might not suit everyone. As you can imagine, this trail isn’t maintained by anyone. The weather wears on it at its leisure, and it can get slippery in places and also present a few obstacles. The terrain is nature-made, and the actual loop was made by the many horses hiking around and coming out.

It’s fairly obvious that this trail is a horse trail. Basic hiking trails stay in relatively good shape due to the people walking on them. Horses, on the other hand, tear up the tract with their hooves and really leaving it looking worn down. There’s nothing extremely dangerous on the trail, like any sudden drop-offs or sink holes, but you should always watch your step.

You can find the trailhead at Rainbow Springs just north of Mountain Springs by using the Las Vegas Strip as a guide. From the Strip, take I-15 to Blue Diamond Road and you’ll run right into it.