Located in eastern Nevada, the Rainbow Canyon is one of Nevada's hidden gems. As you drive you soon realize why it is called the Rainbow Canyon. The steep mountains of the valley are sprinkled with beautiful red rocks, old cottonwood trees and vibrant wildflowers. Two state parks are also locate along this route, Kershaw Ryan State Park and Elgin School House.
One of the most popular activities in the canyon is rock climbing! A small section of the canyon has been marked out and dedicated to rock climbers of all skill levels, one of the most popular routes being Finlay Crack.
Another popular activity in the area is pictograph hunting. There are 4 major public archeological sites located off of HWY 317; Etna Cave, Tunnel No. 5, Grapevine Canyon, and Petroglyph Boulder. Here is a list of accessible archeological sites throughout Lincoln County along with GPS coordinates provided through the Get Primitive Project. Please be respectful of these archeological sites. Do not attempt to remove, cover up or take anything from these sites so others can continue to enjoy them for generations to come.
For train enthusiasts, the Rainbow Canyon still has an active Union Pacific Railroad that runs a train every 20 minutes or so.
Click here for more climbing routes in the Rainbow Canyon provided by Mountain Project.
Camping and hiking is accessible at Kershaw Ryan State Park.
For more visitor information on Caliente, visit their city website!
For additional information visit the BLM Caliente Field Office website or contact:
Bureau of Land Management - Caliente Field OfficeRainbow Canyon rd. runs from Elgin to Caliente passing by two historic state parks. Parking is available on the side of the road.
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