Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area celebrates 25th birthday — PHOTOS

A pool of water from recent rainfall is seen inside the scenic loop of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area on Monday, Nov. 16 2015. Red Rock is celebrating its 25th anniversary as a national conservation area. Daniel Clark/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Hikers head down a trail inside the scenic loop of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area on Monday, Nov. 16 2015. Red Rock is celebrating its 25th anniversary as a national conservation area. Daniel Clark/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Scenery is seen inside the scenic loop of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area on Monday, Nov. 16 2015. Red Rock is celebrating its 25th anniversary as a national conservation area. Daniel Clark/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Shannon Everett has her photo taken by Mackendy Dorsainvil at the sign for the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area on Monday, Nov. 16 2015. Red Rock is celebrating its 25th anniversary as a national conservation area. Daniel Clark/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Inside the scenic loop of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area on Monday, Nov. 16 2015. Red Rock is celebrating its 25th anniversary as a national conservation area. Daniel Clark/Las Vegas Review-Journal

People enjoy scenery inside the scenic loop of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area on Monday, Nov. 16 2015. Red Rock is celebrating its 25th anniversary as a national conservation area. Daniel Clark/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Small animal footprints are seen inside the scenic loop of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area on Monday, Nov. 16 2015. Red Rock is celebrating its 25th anniversary as a national conservation area. Daniel Clark/Las Vegas Review-Journal

The sun dips below a ridge inside the scenic loop of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area on Monday, Nov. 16 2015. Red Rock is celebrating its 25th anniversary as a national conservation area. Daniel Clark/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Emily and Allen Levin take a photo at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area on Monday, Nov. 16 2015. Red Rock is celebrating its 25th anniversary as a national conservation area. Daniel Clark/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Cars travel along Calico Basin Road and snowfall can be seen at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Monday, Feb. 23, 2015, in Las Vegas. (Ronda Churchill/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Cars travel along Calico Basin Road and snowfall can be seen at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Monday, Feb. 23, 2015, in Las Vegas. According to Las Vegas police, three hikers were reported stranded in Red Rock Canyon near the Ice Box Canyon trail about 3:30 p.m. Sunday. (Ronda Churchill/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

The sun sets in the desert of the Southwest valley of Las Vegas on Wednesday, June 24, 2015. (Joshua Dahl/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Spring wildflowers bloom despite the cold weather on state Route 159 in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area west of Las Vegas on April 2, 2014. (Jason Bean/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

A bicyclest rides the Late Night Trailhead in Red Rock Canyon during the Fourth Annual Ride 2 Recovery Vegas Mountain Bike Challenge on Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. Around 60 from around the country pa ...

A bicyclest rides the Late Night Trailhead in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area during the Fourth Annual Ride 2 Recovery Vegas Mountain Bike Challenge on Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. Around 60 from around the country participated mountain biking event to raise money for America‘s Healing Heroes. (Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Clouds as seen Thursday, Oct. 10,2012 near Spring Mountain Ranch west of Las Vegas. (Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

(Review-Journal file photo)

A couple takes in a view of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area on Tuesday, Feb 24, 2015. At the time the photo was taken the Loop was closed because of weather conditions. (Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Snowfall can be seen at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Monday, Feb. 23, 2015, in Las Vegas. (Ronda Churchill/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Snowfall can be seen at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Monday, Feb. 23, 2015, in Las Vegas. According to Las Vegas police, three hikers were reported stranded in Red Rock Canyon near the Ice Box Canyon trail about 3:30 p.m. Sunday. (Ronda Churchill/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Snow blankets the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area on Tuesday, Feb 24, 2015. (Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Snow blankets the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area on Tuesday, Feb 24, 2015. At the time the photo was taken the Loop was closed because of weather conditions. (Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

A man takes a photo at sunset on Monday, March 2, 2014 of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.(Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

(Review-Journal file photo)

Nevada’s first National Conservation Area turned a quarter-century old on Monday.

One of Southern Nevada’s most popular outdoor escapes, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area marked the 25th anniversary of President George H.W. Bush designating it as a federally protected area. National Conservation Areas are public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management that are designated by Congress to “conserve, protect, enhance and manage public land areas for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations,” according to the BLM.

Before being designated a conservation area, Red Rock was recognized as a landmark to protect in 1936 when it became part of the Desert Game Refuge, now called the Desert Natural Wildlife Refuge.

Nearly three decades later, the Bureau of Land Management withdrew 10,000 acres of land at Red Rock for protection in 1964. Three years later, Sen. Alan Bible dedicated the area as Red Rock Canyons Recreation Lands, a move that increased its size to 64,000 acres.

But it wasn’t until 1990, when Sen. Harry Reid and Rep. James Bilbray proposed legislation in Congress, that Red Rock gained its current status as a National Conservation Area.

More than 2 million people visit the scenic cliffs every year, according to the BLM.

Nevada has two other BLM areas that are federally protected: Sloan Mountain National Conservation Area in the southern Las Vegas Valley and Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area in the northwest corner of the state.

Contact reporter Colton Lochhead at clochhead@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4638. Find him on Twitter: @ColtonLochhead