Laughlin Nev., is located just 90 miles from Las Vegas and offers many of the same amenities as the big city with a small western town appeal. For hiking enthusiasts, there are plenty of trails that offer easy to challenging active hiking with beautiful scenery and fresh air.
Spirit Mountain
Just a few miles from the activity of the casinos and the Colorado River is Spirit Mountain. This area offers hikers 58,000 acres to explore. This mountain is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and is a sacred place to regional Native Americans. It also is considered to be a geological wonder.
It is a five-mile round trip hike up the mountain and takes about six hours. The hike is challenging and hikers should be in good physical condition. It is worth the trek up as some days you can see over 100 miles of desert country including a view of Lake Mojave.
To reach Spirit Mountain drive highway 163 about six miles and turn on to the road marked Christmas Tree Pass. It is about five and a half miles on the unpaved road, turn off on the right side of the road and park.
Grapevine Canyon
At the foot of Spirit Mountain is Grapevine Canyon where hikers can get exercise for their bodies and minds. There is a display of petroglyphs that is considered to be one of the best in Nevada. Some of these ancient pictures are over 1,000 years old and this area is sacred to Native Americans. Hiking the wash area to get to the petroglyphs gives a sense of what it might have been like many years ago when the Native Americans traveled the land. These petroglyphs tell many stories as the area was a gathering place for meetings especially near the water that trickles from the rocks. At the Christmas Tree turnoff follow the unpaved road for about three miles to the dirt road on the left to the parking area.
Big Bend Park
It is said that Big Bend State Park is one of Nevada's best kept secrets. Located just minutes from the Laughlin, the park offers scenic views of the Colorado River and many activities. Hikers can get a good workout in the undeveloped areas of the park with canyon and desert hikes. Big Bend is located west of the Needles Highway and offers swimming, camping, picnic areas, drinking water, fishing, boat launch and restrooms.
Mojave National Preserve
The Mojave National Preserve offers hiking trails from an easy stroll around Lake Tuendae to more difficult hikes that explore the world's densest Joshua tree forest and travel up rocky peaks. The undeveloped washes, dirt roads and ridge lines offer many cross-country hiking experiences. A sunrise or sunset at Kelso Dunes offers visitors a rose-colored glow of the dunes. At Mojave, hikers can find history, exhibits and wildlife.
Safety First
Hiking through the desert is an interesting experience but be prepared for the sun, heat and the varmints. Shorts and sandals may be the appropriate wear for the sand on the beach but not the sand in the desert. Cactus and bushes can bite, wearing jeans and hiking boots is a better choice. Wear loose and layered clothing and a hat. Respect the animals. This area is home to rattlesnakes and scorpions. Watch where you step. Take plenty of water and nutritious snacks. Hiking the desert is much different than other areas so talk with the locals and park rangers before going on an adventure.
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