Selfies at the Red Rock Canyon sign will now look a bit different thanks to a new safety-focused relocation. Clark County officials, Nevada Department of Transportation, and local contractors recently celebrated moving the iconic sign off the busy Charleston Boulevard. Instead of pulling over on the shoulder for photos, visitors can now use a dedicated paved parking lot with about a dozen spaces and a bus lane.
Matt and Kathleen Dwyer from Long Beach, New York, were the first to snap a picture at the sign’s new location. Matt, on his first visit to Red Rock Canyon, noted the improved safety and convenience of the parking lot.
The relocation is part of phase one of the Red Rock Legacy Trail, a project designed to increase safety for cyclists and pedestrians along Charleston Boulevard. This area has seen several accidents over the years, including the tragic death of off-duty officer Don Albietz in 2005. Previously, the sign sat right off the main road in the dirt, which led to risky U-turns and unsafe stops.
When finished, the Red Rock Legacy Trail will include roughly 19 miles of trail, linking Summerlin to the Hualapai Trailhead parking lot off state Route 160. Phase one covers about a mile of new trail, the sign relocation, a bridge over Red Rock Wash, and new deceleration lanes for safer entrances at Calico Basin, the Red Rock Scenic Loop, and the sign’s new area.
The first phase is scheduled for completion in June, and officials hope the improvements will allow more people to safely enjoy Red Rock Canyon’s iconic scenery and trails.