Located a short drive away from Las Vegas, Mount Charleston is the eighth-highest mountain in the state and offers its visitors plenty of opportunities for skiing, hiking, and horseback riding. At an elevation of 11,916 feet (3,632 metres), Mount Charleston features all-year-round tours and provisions of camping from May to September. It is also home to amazing Airbnb rentals for your accommodation needs should you plan to stay. The getaway resort destination is snow-capped for more than half the year and offers stunning panoramic vistas of the surrounding mountains and is home to about 200 campsites and 150 picnic areas with some of them being RV-accessible. Whether you are looking to spend a relaxing vacation or have the adventure of your life in one of the hiking trails, here are the top things to do in Mt. Charleston, Nevada that will offer you the perfect holiday away from all the chaos of the city.
1. Relax at Deer Creek Picnic Site
If you are looking to go on day trips and enjoy a relaxing picnic with your family and friends in Mt. Charleston, look no further than Deer Creek Picnic Site located along the Deer Creek highway. The picnic site offers amenities that include restrooms, tables, and panoramic views of the gorgeous mountains and the desert surrounding the site. The popular trails near the picnic site include Calico Tanks Trail, Bristlecone Loop Trail, Kraft Mountain Loop, and Tin Can Alley. The picnic site features free entry and offers close access to a parallel running stream that attracts a variety of birds and chipmunks that visit the stream for drinking water.
Deer Creek Picnic Site
Address: Deer Creek Rd, Mt. Charleston, NV 89124
Website: Deer Creek Picnic Site
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
2. Marvel at stunning views at Fletcher View Campgrounds
Fletcher View Campgrounds is a part of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest that is open all year round except the monsoon season. The campgrounds are located at a distance of 24 miles (38.6 kilometres) from Las Vegas. The amenities of the campgrounds include tables, restrooms, 30- and 50-ampere hookup units, drinking water, and provisions for campfires. The clean, well-maintained campground is a perfect getaway to escape the heat in the summer. The campsite is at an elevation of 7,000 feet (2,133.6 meters) and offers only 11 spaces that can be reserved in advance. The campgrounds are a great place to relax with your family and friends and explore the forests around the region of Mt. Charleston. Some of the activities that you can indulge in the campgrounds include hiking, camping, biking, and wildlife viewing.
Fletcher View Campgrounds
Address: Forest Rd, Mt. Charleston, NV 89124
Website: Fletcher View Campgrounds
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
3. Hike Echo Trail
Echo Trail is a 1.1-mile (1.77 kilometres) trail that runs between the Echo trailhead and the Cathedral Rock trailhead. The trail runs through forests of white fir and ponderosa pine trees and offers spectacular views across Kyle Canyon. The trail offers opportunities to see wildlife but is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trails.
Echo Trail
Address: Mt. Charleston, NV 89124
Website: Echo Trail
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
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4. Dine with a view at Mt. Charleston Lodge
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
No bad seats in this house! : @noelle.stanley
Posted by Mount Charleston Lodge on Friday, March 5, 2021
Situated at an elevation of 7,000 feet (2,134 metres) in the midst of ponderosa pine and juniper trees, Mt. Charleston Lodge offers accommodation options that include mountain cabins with rustic vibes and stunning views from windows lining three sides of the room. Mt. Charleston also features a full bar and a lounge area that offers an elegant ambience with candlelight dining in the evening. The lodge offers the only dining option atop Kyle Canyon and is a favourite among the hikers and many tour groups for its views.
Mt. Charleston Lodge
Address: 5375 Kyle Canyon Road, Las Vegas, NV 89124
Website: Mt. Charleston Lodge
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
5. Follow the Kyle Canyon Wash through Acastus Trail
Named after the Acastus checkerspot butterfly which can be found only in the region of Mt. Charleston, the Acastus Trail is situated below Spring Mountain Getaway Visitor Center. The trail runs for 3.5 miles (5.63 kilometres) and can be used for hiking and trail running. The trail features red gravel paths, benches, restrooms, and plaques that give information on the geological features and the flora and fauna of the region. The trail is an uphill climb suitable for hikers for all levels and leads to the picturesque Kyle Canyon Wash and ends at the Lundy Elementary School.
Acastus Trail
Address: Mt. Charleston, NV 89124
Website: Acastus Trail
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
6. Start your adventure at Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway
Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway leads to 128 acres (51. 7 hectares) of pure adventure that includes reclaimed land from a golf course to trails and exhibits. The visitor gateway is the entrance to picnic sites, to the Silent Heroes of the Cold War Memorial, to the Seven Stones Plaza that celebrates the heritage of the seven Southern Pauite Tribes of the Southwest, to an education building, and to the small amphitheatres of Mt. Charleston and Kyle. The gateway is also the starting point for trails of all kinds for all skill levels.
Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway
Address: 2525 Kyle Canyon Rd, Mt. Charleston, NV 89124
Website: Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway
Opening hours: 9am - 4pm (daily)
Price: Free
7. Visit the caves of Robbers Roost Trail
Robbers Roost is a short loop trail that leads to limestone caves and then winds through forests of mountain mahogany and pinion pine trees. According to local folklore, the caves were once used as a hideout for local bandits that concealed stolen goods and livestock. Located in Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, the trailhead is just 3 miles (4.8 kilometres) off Highway 138.
Robbers Roost Trailhead
Address: Mt. Charleston, NV 89124
Website: Robbers Roost Trailhead
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
8. Spot chipmunks at Cathedral Rock Trail
Cathedral Rock Trail starts in Maze Canyon and runs through forests of ponderosa pine and white fir trees and is one of the most vibrant areas in Mount Charleston. The trail includes a waterfall halfway through the trail and climbs a half-dozen switchbacks before the summit is reached. The trail offers gorgeous views of Kyle Canyon and plenty of shaded spots with benches to reenergize yourself during the hike. This is one of the only few trails in the world where you can see Palmer chipmunks. Note that during winters, the trail is a major avalanche path.
Cathedral Rock Trail
Address: Mt. Charleston, NV 89124
Website: Cathedral Rock Trail
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
9. Trek Big Falls Trail
Big Falls Trail is a 3.4 mile (5.47 kilometres) moderately strenuous trail that leads to the stunning Big Falls. The trail is dog-friendly and is accessible all year round. The semi-popular day hike runs up Kyle Canyon and offers picturesque views around the cascade. The waterfall is surrounded by limestone caves and lies at the head of a short ravine.
10. Go mountain biking at Trail Canyon
Trail Canyon is a trail in Mt. Charleston that travels through a canyon and forests of aspen, ponderosa pine, and mountain mahogany trees. The trail includes small caves along the limestone walls through the route that leads to the Cockscomb Ridge where it joins with the junction of Charleston Peak and North Loop Trail. The trail is dog-friendly and is mainly used for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking. Note that no water is available on this trail.
Trail Canyon
Address: Mt. Charleston, NV 89124
Website: Trail Canyon
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
11. Pass through Mary Jane Falls Trail
With 0.25 miles (0.40 kilometre) travelling through forests of white fir, aspen, mountain mahogany, and ponderosa pine trees and 0.3 miles (0.48 kilometre) with rock steps and switchbacks at the base of the falls, Mary Jane Falls Trail is a moderately strenuous and well-defined trail that starts in Kyle Canyon and ends in Mary Jane Falls. The trail is spectacular during spring and can be very busy. The alluring Mary Jane Falls at the top is a great spot for clicking pictures and resting after the hike.
Mary Jane Falls Trail
Address: 6-34 Kyle Canyon Rd, Mt. Charleston, NV 89124, United States
Website: Mary Jane Falls Trail
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
12. Have some family fun at Kyle Canyon Picnic Area
Kyle Canyon Picnic Area is suitable for tents and small campers and is a great place to hang out with friends and family in the region of Mt. Charleston. The amenities of the picnic area include picnic tables, provisions for barbecues and campfires, washrooms, and paved roads. The picnic site features scenic aspen views and is home to the blue butterflies of Mt. Charleston and trees that include bristlecone pine, ponderosa pine, and mountain mahogany.
Kyle Canyon Picnic Area
Address: Mt. Charleston, NV 89124
Website: Kyle Canyon Picnic Area
Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (daily)
Price: 12 USD
13. Reach the summit of Mount Charleston National Recreation Trail/South Loop
Mount Charleston National Recreation Trail is a steep climb from Cathedral Rock Trailhead. 4 miles (6.4 kilometres) through the trail, you will reach the junction for Griffith Peak Trail that traverses through a meadow with the final strenuous 0.5-mile (0.8 kilometre) climb leading to gorgeous views of the Charleston Peak summit. Note that the trail includes an avalanche chute and is closed during winter months.
Mount Charleston National Recreation Trail/South Loop
Address: Mt. Charleston, NV 89124
Website: Mount Charleston National Recreation Trail/South Loop
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
14. Stay overnight at The Resort on Mount Charleston
Situated at a quiet, serene location in Mount Charleston, The Resort on Mount Charleston offers nice, comfy rooms with a restaurant, bar, bistro, and scenic views from the lobby. The amenities include free wifi, TV, air conditioning options, a fireplace, 24-hour front desk, and free parking options. The resort offers close access to popular attractions such as Floyd Lamb State Park and Sagebrush Ranch. The resort also offers a sauna room and a game room that is perfect to relax and refresh after your day full of adventures in the region.
The Resort on Mount Charleston
Address: 2275 Kyle Canyon Rd, North Las Vegas, Las Vegas (NV), United States, 89124
15. Be awed by the sights of Mount Charleston (from USD 129.0)
This half-day private photography tour lets you photograph the vibrant desert-scapes and the majestic mountains in Mount Charleston. The photography-focused adventure feature stops to take photos of the best landscapes along the way, tips for photography from a guide, and private transportation from the hotel in Las Vegas. The tour is ideal for anyone looking for an escape from the usual Las Vegas Strip photos to the scenic landscape shots of the Spring Mountains.
Red Rock Canyon & Mount Charleston Photo Expedition from Las Vegas
Duration: 6 hours
Get away from it all
With miles of maintained trails, campground areas, picnic areas, and an average temperature that is cooler than the nearby Sin City, Mt. Charleston offers the perfect conditions for nature enthusiasts to escape the chaos of the city. Whether you fancy a hiking trip or a tandem skydive, Mt. Charleston, with its snow-capped mountains, and the sweet ponderosa pine and juniper forests will make sure you have the experience of your life. Take your pick from the above list of things to do in Mt. Charleston, Nevada, stock up your supplies, and enjoy yourself surrounded by some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country.
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