Red Rock Parking Garage
Casino
4.8 (11)
5M47+RW, Las Vegas, NV 89135
This location may be clothing-optional or adjacent to adult content. We do not display adult imagery and recommend discretion. Families should verify suitability.
Desert Creek Hikes With Unverified Bathing PermissionNV
Red Rock Canyon Oak Creek Swimming Spots
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Separate Oak Creek and First Creek hiking from unverified desert-pool swimming. Check Scenic Drive timed entry, wildlife water protection and legal trail access.
Swimming permission unconfirmed
Keep to lawful trails, respect habitat and current BLM restrictions. No swimming authorization at the two historical pools established; do not treat wildlife water as a bathing facility.
Official sources checked:
Water type
Desert Creek Hikes With Unverified Bathing Permission
Access
Swimming unconfirmed
Fee
Scenic Drive entry and reservation requirements are separate from swimming. Check current BLM admission and pass rules; no paid or free bathing facility is established at either creek.
Best season
Check weather, heat and flash-flood risk before hiking. Scenic Drive timed-entry reservations apply October 1 through May 31, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m
Nearby towns
Las Vegas
Water body
Seasonal Oak Creek And First Creek Water
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Las Vegas
Access location not verified
LAS VEGAS, NV
Approximate location based on the nearest town. Confirm the exact spot and access before you go.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Official sources checked . Swimming permission remains unconfirmed.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Red Rock Oak and First Creek
Oak Creek and First Creek are distinct desert hiking destinations in the historical record. Current BLM and cooperating-partner information supports trail visits, not the old promises of deep, clear, family-friendly swimming pools or clothing-optional use.
Oak Creek and First Creek are not interchangeable
Oak Creek is approached through the Scenic Drive trail system; First Creek has its own signed State Route 159 approach. The archived trail numbers and unmarked grotto descent are not current navigation instructions. Neither old pool depth nor a past visitor swim establishes today's permission.
Protect scarce desert water
The BLM cooperating partner says seasonal water outside the Visitor Center drinking-water facilities is non-potable and reserved for wildlife. Carry your own drinking water. An attractive spring or shaded pool is not an invitation to enter, and apparent clarity does not establish water quality.
Reserve the drive when required
The BLM lists Scenic Drive timed entry from October 1 through May 31 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. First Creek's separate trailhead is not a reason to disregard conservation-area rules. Check current weather and warnings, and abandon creek descents in storm or dangerous heat conditions.
Check current destination information
Getting There
Use current BLM trail maps for Oak Creek and the signed First Creek trailhead on State Route 159. Do not follow the archived unmarked pine-tree descent or obsolete trail numbering.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
Use current BLM trail maps for Oak Creek and the signed First Creek trailhead on State Route 159. Do not follow the archived unmarked pine-tree descent or obsolete trail numbering.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Keep to lawful trails, respect habitat and current BLM restrictions. No swimming authorization at the two historical pools established; do not treat wildlife water as a bathing facility. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
South Oak Creek Trailhead
Hiking area
4.8 (272)
Oak Creek Trail, Las Vegas, NV 89161
Middle Oak Creek Trailhead
Hiking area
4.9 (109)
Blue Diamond Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89161
Las Vegas KOA Journey at Sam's Town Journey
Campground
4.3 (2316)
5225 Boulder Hwy, Las Vegas, NV 89122
Public restroomPublic showerRestroomRunning water
Red Rock Campground
Campground
4.4 (431)
3293 Moenkopi Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89161
Desert conservation area camping & RV sites open Sept through to June with picnic tables & grills.
Public restroomRestroomRunning waterTent sites
Thousand Trails Las Vegas
Campground
3.6 (854)
4295 Boulder Hwy, Las Vegas, NV 89121
Free Wi-Fi
Restrooms
Public bathroom
3.7 (3)
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Public Restroom
Public bathroom
2601 E Sunset Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89120
Frequently Asked Questions About Red Rock Canyon Oak Creek Swimming Spots
Which trailhead should I use for First Creek?
Use the current signed First Creek trailhead on State Route 159 and current manager trail information, not the archived unmarked descent beside a pine tree.
Do the sources confirm swimming in Oak Creek?
No exact pool swimming authorization is established. Current information supports hiking and wildlife-water protection; this is not a claimed blanket swimming ban.
When does Scenic Drive require timed entry?
BLM lists October 1 through May 31, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check the current reservation and entry rules before arrival.
Can we drink from the seasonal pools?
No. The cooperating partner describes seasonal water as non-potable and reserved for wildlife. Bring drinking water.
Are the old pools a verified family swimming area?
No. The old depth, clarity and easy-family descriptions are not current bathing or accessibility assessments.
Can dogs swim or roam freely here?
Do not assume either. Partner guidance requires leashes, and no dog-swimming permission at the historic pools is established. Follow current BLM rules.
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Avoid jumping, diving, natural slides and high or rising flow
- A recreation listing or clear appearance is not a water-quality or depth guarantee
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Historical directions are retained separately; use current manager instructions for travel.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Photograph only from currently lawful viewpoints; no exact water-entry photograph is approved here.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Follow current manager routes and fire restrictions, respect private parcels and pack out waste.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Check weather, heat and flash-flood risk before hiking. Scenic Drive timed-entry reservations apply October 1 through May 31, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; water presence is not bathing permission.
Difficulty Level
Use the named lawful route and assess your party's abilities. No surveyed accessible bathing entrance or guaranteed easy descent established.
Fee
Scenic Drive entry and reservation requirements are separate from swimming. Check current BLM admission and pass rules; no paid or free bathing facility is established at either creek.
Facilities
Visitor Center drinking water and visitor services are separate from creekside facilities. Other seasonal water is described by the cooperating partner as non-potable and reserved for wildlife.
Activities
Named hiking, viewpoints or regional recreation where lawful; exact historical bathing permission unresolved.
Phone
702-515-5350
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
BLM identifies a separate reservation-only campground season of September 1 through May 31. No creekside camping permission is established.
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Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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