Campers at Mt. Charleston, part of the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, can enjoy hiking, mountaineering, bouldering, ice climbing, big wall, scrambling, snowboarding, skiing, mountain biking, horseback riding and golfing less than an hour from Las Vegas. With a peak of 8,259 feet, altitude impacts all outdoor activities. Stay active and healthy: drink plenty of fluids, pack snacks, wear layers while exploring all that this park has to offer.
Camping
Seven developed campsites are located at Kyle and Lee Canyons in the Mt. Charleston area. Undeveloped campsites are located around the Spring Mountain Recreation Area including one near the peak of Mt. Charleston. Two campgrounds remain open for winter campers at Kyle Canyon and one at Lee Canyon.
Mountain Biking
The Bristlecone Pine trail is a six-mile, moderate to difficult single-track trail. The trail begins with a steady climb up a graded fire road before switching to single-track with lots of fun twists and turns. Find the trail by going north on U.S. 95 to the Lee Canyon turn-off. Turn left for about 17 miles to a turn off with roadside parking. This is the only trail at Mount Charleston on which bikes are permitted.
Hiking and Climbing
Hiking to the summit takes you through big trees and alpine meadows; a dramatic change of scenery from the desert. While the temperatures can be 20 degrees cooler at the trailhead then in Las Vegas, strenuous high-altitude hiking will test any outdoor enthusiast. Trails are exposed so bring a hat and wind breaker. Take the South Loop Trail or North Loop/Trail Canyon to the peak for views of the Sierra Nevada, Mojave Desert and Las Vegas.
Experienced climbers will find opportunities for hiking, climbing and scrambling on La Madre Mountain. La Madre North has 24 routes and three walls. Gateway Canyon has 18 walls and 102 routes. The many crags and moderate routes at La Madre South are friendly to climbers who can’t climb into the 11s and 12s.
Ice, snow, hail and gusty winds challenge only the most experienced winter hikers and climbers on the South or North Loop trails to the peak.
Desert Golf
The course at the base of Mt Charleston offers views of the mountains and Cathedral Rock. With average-sized greens that are fast and undulating, and hilly fairways, the water hazards come into play on one hole. According to Golf.com,"The signature hole is #5, a 470-yard, par 4, requiring a well-struck tee shot down a long fairway, then a well-placed approach shot over two lakes with waterfalls."
Skiing and Boarding
Head to Lee Canyon for skiing and snowboarding or the Foxtail Picnic Area at Lee Meadows where sled runs are cleared of stumps, rocks and debris for sledding or tobogganing. Or, grab some hot chocolate and take a horse-drawn sleigh ride near the Old Mill Picnic Area.
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