Heavy traffic at Red Rock Canyon causes delays

Things were jammin' Friday at Red Rock Canyon: bumper-to-bumper type jammin'.

Sightseers wanting to drive the 13-mile scenic loop through the national conservation area had limited access as parking spaces along the drive and in the visitors center filled up, causing delays, Bureau of Land Management spokeswoman Kirsten Cannon said.

"The day after Thanksgiving is one of our highest use days," she said.

Cannon said Friday's sunny skies and mild temperatures also helped make the canyon a popular destination for families and visitors.

Cars and trucks temporarily weren't allowed past the fee collection booths from 12:45 p.m. to 3 p.m., with about 30 vehicles allowed in every half hour. At 3 p.m., normal access resumed.

Cars waited along state Route 159 from the Red Rock Canyon entrance to about Calico Basin, east of the park, some visitors told the Review-Journal.

BLM officials typically require limited access to the park about a half dozen times a year, usually on weekends after holidays and when the weather is nice, Cannon said.

She said the loop has 265 parking spaces along it and the visitors center has 123, but the number available has dropped because of construction near the visitors center.

In addition, there are 210 parking spaces at Red Spring Picnic Area and 50 at the canyon's overlook on Route 159.

A daily attendance tally wasn't available late Friday.