Rainbow Canyon | Lincoln County

Hiking Rainbow Canyon - Lincoln CountyRoadside Attraction Rainbow Canyon - Lincoln County Rainbow Canyon

Lincoln County

Overview

Sun Rain showers before 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. South southwest wind 7 to 12 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
57° | 39°
Mon Isolated rain showers before 11am, then scattered showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
64° | 35°
Tue Sunny, with a high near 70.
70° | 35°
Wed A slight chance of rain showers after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
72° | 40°
Thu A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 5pm. Sunny, with a high near 74.
74° | 40°
RATING: Roadside / Easy Hikes
LENGTH: 1+ hours
SEASON: Fall, Winter, Spring (Hot in the summer)
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: None, bring all you need.
Sun Rain showers before 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. South southwest wind 7 to 12 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
57° | 39°
Mon Isolated rain showers before 11am, then scattered showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
64° | 35°
Tue Sunny, with a high near 70.
70° | 35°
Wed A slight chance of rain showers after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
72° | 40°
Thu A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 5pm. Sunny, with a high near 74.
74° | 40°
Camping area at the State Park
Camping area at the State Park

Just south of the small town of Caliente in the southeast side of Nevada is Rainbow Canyon. The canyon has towering walls and is beautiful. In addition to its natural beauty, the canyon has a long and varied history. There are several rock art sites along the canyon, as well as more modern ranches, a railroad, a state park, and a historic schoolhouse.

This is a place that still feels wild and remote! The road is paved, but has rough spots and is prone to flooding. I visited in the winter and had a couple of sections of bumper deep water to cross due to flooding. I spent a day casually seeing the sights and soaking in the scenery, and didn't run into another person all day. It seemed gloriously off the beaten path. The rock arts sites aren't as large as many others in the area, but I found them interesting and worth the visit. They are all relatively short hikes to visit.

Note: The road is paved through the section of this description, but prone to damage from floods, particularly during summer monsoon rains. It is generally passable by all vehicles, but be aware of the weather. This is not a place to visit if storms are threatening. It is also a place that is brutally hot in the summer. Late fall through early spring would be my recommended times to visit.
Faded pictograph at site 2.
Faded pictograph at site 2.

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