Rainbow Canyon, Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Rainbow Canyon is the unofficial name of a minor tributary of Lovell Wash, on the north side of Lake Mead, close to Northshore Road (Hwy 167), and is so-called because of the multicolored rock in its lower end, in shades of gray, red, yellow, pink, brown and green. Most is limestone, from the Horse Spring Formation, plus sandstone from the Moenkopi Formation. The bright colors extend around half mile along the lower end of the wash, above which, the next mile, to the upper end, is lined by more homogenous strata, gray or brown.

The wash is shallow and has no obstructions, so the walk upstream is easy, and can be extended by a loop around an isolated limestone ridge, topped by jagged strata, upturned at nearly 90 degrees, known as the Giant Fin. This section is along a 4WD track and a path, while the start of a hike is all along the streambed.

Also of note is an unusual double arch in the limestone, on the north side of the Giant Fin, while the hike is of general interest for the solitude and the long-distance views over the desert, from the upper reaches. Wildflowers are plentiful, despite the generally barren soil, which is gypsum-rich in some locations; uncommon species found here include Gilman's cymopterus, Las Vegas bearpoppy and silverleaf sunray.

The round trip is 5.2 miles, typically taking around three hours. The approach up Lovell Wash and the end of Rainbow Canyon is within Lake Mead NRA, while beyond that, the remainder of the wash, and the fin, are on the adjoining public land.