By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
Well, something had to be done.
The long lines of backed-up cars waiting to pay at toll booths to get onto the 12.7-mile Red Rock Scenic Drive were snaking back all the way onto Nevada State Route 159 and the cars were taking up road shoulders normally used by bicyclists.
And there were so many cars on the popular Red Rock scenic drive outside Las Vegas and the suburb of Summerlin during the nice-weather months that many motorists were parking illegally along the road and overwhelming the parking areas.
There were just too many cars on the scenic drive during cool, good weather months of November and December, especially on the weekends.
So, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) did something. The federal agency on Election Day today started requiring motorists to make reservations to use the scenic drive after 8 a.m.
Yes, you heard it right. You must go online and reserve a time to drive on the scenic drive. You will pay an extra $2 charge for the bureaucracy of making the reservation and you can use your annual pass card to get in.
Bicyclists are exempt, but folks on bikes must check in with the toll booth collector and show them the annual pass card. There were less cars on the scenic drive than usual for a gorgeous day like today. I bicycled in about 8:15 a.m. and left the scenic drive around 9:45 a.m.
I spoke with an assistant regional director afterwards who told me that there were only minor glitches so far.
On the loop, I spoke with a local resident who said he made the reservation.
A couple from Reno who brought their bikes and pedaled the scenic drive said they did not make a reservation and were allowed in.
And a friendly fella from Utah said he also did not make a reservation, but he “sweet-talked” his way in by telling the toll collector he worked on mountain rescue assignments.
As a bicyclist, it was a much more pleasant experience to bike the scenic drive with less cars. As you can see, there were also less people in the parking lots.
Here’s how it works. Timed entry reservations will be mandatory for all visitors October 1 to May 31 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Timed entry reservations began Nov. 3. Timed entry reservations are not required between June 1 and September 30.
Timed entry reservations will be for entry during the reserved time window. After entry, visitors may continue to use the area until closing time. The reservation does not restrict the amount of time visitors may stay inside the fee area.
Timed entry reservations do not include the entry fee for the Scenic Drive – visitors must also have a daily pass, Red Rock Canyon Annual Support Pass, or an America The Beautiful Pass. Passes allow entry to the pass holder and passengers in their vehicle. All passes will still be available for purchase at the Red Rock Canyon NCA fee gates. Daily passes will also be available at Recreation.gov.
Recreation.gov will charge a $2 processing fee for timed entry reservations. Timed entry reservations may be made up to 30 days in advance.
As Red Rock Canyon grows in popularity and draws more traffic, the garbage along the roads and vandalism grow, too. Here is damage to wall at the overlook parking lot on Nevada State Route 159 between the Red Rock scenic drive exit and entrance.
And the garbage along Route 159 and 160. On Monday, I picked up three bags worth of garbage on Nevada SR 160 a mile north of SR 159.
Buy Alan Snel’s new book, Bicycle Man: Life of Journeys.