Walking Tours

Mount Charleston

The secret to keeping cool in Las Vegas during the hot summer months is a trip to Mount Charleston and Lee Canyon, located just 45 miles north west of Las Vegas on US-95. The contrast between the mountains and the desert is amazing. As you drive into the mountains you notice two things: it gets cooler and the environment around you changes from desert to forest. In 20 minutes, you can go from a 105 degree desert to an 80 degree Alpine forest. Mount Charleston and nearby Lee Canyon are part of the Spring Mountain Range, which forms the west side of the Las Vegas Valley. Located in the Toiyabe National Forest, Mount Charleston stands at 11,918 feet and offers a tranquil contrast to the excitement and high energy of Las Vegas. Its high, cool forested mountain landscape is an oasis in sharp contrast to the surrounding desert landscape. There are numerous outdoor activities here such as horseback riding, hiking, photography, camping and picnicking.

An interesting feature of Mount Charleston is its five different ecological zones, each at a different elevation. At the base is the Southern Desert Scrub zone that is the principal ecological zone in Southern Nevada. As you drive into the mountains the environment changes as you gain elevation; most notable is the change in temperature and plant life. Eventually you reach a heavily forested Alpine zone. As you go through these zones you might see wild burros, horses or any of the several species of plant and animal life that are found no where else. Notable among these is the 18,000 acres of Bristlecone Pine, the oldest known life form on earth.

In the winter, the mountains offer Las Vegans a gentle reminder of what snow actually looks and feels like. At an 8500' base elevation, the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort at Lee Canyon is open every day from Thanksgiving to Easter. With two chair lifts, it offers ski runs ranging from easy to difficult. Machine-groomed snow ensures good skiing conditions no matter how light the snowfall. Throughout the rest of the year, Mount Charleston has 52 miles of marked and maintained hiking trails, including paved trails that are handicap accessible and difficult climbs to the top of the mountain. Mount Charleston also has seven campgrounds with more than 180 campsites and 160 picnic sites. Overnight accommodations are available at the 60-room Mount Charleston Hotel on Kyle Canyon Road. Further up the mountain is the Mount Charleston Restaurant and Lounge, which has excellent food and a great view of the valley and desert below.