Summerlin just scored its first official slice of the long‑planned Red Rock Legacy Trail, giving walkers and cyclists a fresh, paved route along SR‑159 instead of gambling with fast‑moving traffic on the shoulder.
Clark County officials cut the ribbon Tuesday on Phase 1 of the project, opening about a mile of new multi‑use path at the western edge of the neighborhood. The segment runs along SR‑159 near Charleston Boulevard and Sky Vista Drive and separates people on foot and bikes from vehicles. County crews also added a new traffic signal, built a trailhead parking lot, and shifted the Red Rock Canyon sign into its own pull‑off so visitors can stop for photos without blocking the highway. It is the first visible piece of a plan to build nearly 19 miles of off‑road trail from Summerlin to Blue Diamond.
As outlined by Clark County, Phase 1 is a 0.99‑mile, 12‑foot‑wide paved path that runs from the northwest corner of Charleston Boulevard and Sky Vista Drive to the current Red Rock sign. The county's project page notes that construction began July 14, 2025, and includes deceleration lanes, a new parking lot southeast of the intersection, and other corridor improvements to cut down on vehicles stopping on SR‑159.
New signal, fresh parking and a safer selfie spot
The upgrades were unveiled at a ribbon‑cutting ceremony and, as reported by FOX5, include a new traffic signal at Charleston and Sky Vista, a dedicated parking area for trail visitors and the relocation of the Red Rock marker to a safer location with its own photo pull‑off. Officials at the event thanked partners and volunteers who helped move the project forward and emphasized that the changes are meant to boost safety and better manage visitor access.
Federal and local dollars behind the pavement
The trail is being built by a federal‑state‑county team led by the Federal Highway Administration and the Bureau of Land Management, with funding from the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act and the Federal Lands Access Program, according to the BLM. Hoodline previously broke ground last year, reflecting years of local pressure to finally get shovels in the dirt.
Advocates say safety upgrades were overdue
Local advocates have long pushed for an off‑road option after crashes and close calls on the narrow SR‑159 shoulder. Heather Fisher, president of Save Red Rock, told KTNV that the trail honors a friend who was killed while training near the canyon, saying he was right there, riding his bike when he was hit by a truck. Supporters say the new path should open more of the conservation area to families and casual visitors while easing vehicle congestion in the canyon.
Next up for the remaining miles
Planners say the full Legacy Trail is expected to stretch roughly 19 miles, with Phase 2 running about 6.61 miles toward the Scenic Loop and the visitor center, as described in project materials and county plans. Funding and design work for later phases are still underway, and officials are urging users to keep an eye on official project pages for updated timelines and any temporary closures.
