My 3 Favorite Hikes In/Near Las Vegas
Although I have always loved the idea of being outdoorsy, that idea did not become a reality until I moved to Las Vegas i 2019. Like a lot of people, when I first found out we were moving to Vegas I automatically pictured the neon-lit strip and sleepless nights due to the bumping club music that would be mere feet below us. I am pleased to report that is not our situation, it might be for some people, but it’s definitely not for me. The desert of Las Vegas is peppered by suburban communities that are filled with houses that are encased in stucco. As a midwestern girl, it was a site I had never seen before and took a bit to adjust to. But fortunately for me, the desert we reside in is a valley, and it’s surrounded by beautiful mountains. I’ve been out to the mountains far more than I’ve visited the strip and have found a few hikes I would label as my favorites. I imagine this list will shift and grow the longer we’re here, but after almost three years I have settled on my top three favorite hikes in/near Las Vegas.
- Turtlehead Peak- Red Rock Canyon
This was actually the first hike my husband and I did together when we first moved out here, so it’s a pretty special memory for me. He had done it solo about 8 years prior and made me promise to wait until we could do it together! Since I was a hiking newbie at the time, it was a very strenuous trail, but not only was I immensely proud of myself for getting to the top, the views were most definitely rewarding. Regardless of your experience level this is a challenging hike. Turtlehead Peak is an out and back trail that is 4.6 miles in total, the length is not the real challenge though…it’s the incline. The elevation gain sits at 1,988 feet and there will be some scrambling required to get to the top. Dogs are welcome if on a leash!
We went four days after Christmas of 2019, so due to the colder temperatures we maybe saw 5 or 6 other people. We return to the trail in October in 2022, and despite the warmer weather we maybe came across 10 people in total. If you choose to go in the winter season, plan your hike with ample time before sunset. Give yourself a realistic window to get up and down the mountain so you don’t get caught coming down with little to no light. It can get very cold and you won’t have proper lightening to see where you’re going. We started our hike much later than planned, and it took us a little over 3.5 hours to complete the hike, counting multiple stops to take pictures, eat snacks and enjoy the view. The sun was beginning to set by the time we made it to the bottom.
You will park in the Sandstone Quarry parking lot and follow the trail markers from there. There are multiple trail systems that start from this particular parking lot, so double check the map at the entrance before heading in. The first mile or so is pretty flat, but once you start going up, you continue up until you hit the top!
I encourage you to take multiple stops on this hike, not only to give your body some brief rest, but also to turn around and take it all in. The higher up you go, the more gorgeous the view gets and you’ll want to appreciate the progress you’ve made. You get such a brilliant view of Red Rock and you’ll be able to see why it’s one of my favorites!
Keeping in mind that you are literally climbing a mountain, there may be snow at the top, which makes it a bit more challenging on the way back down, so be sure to wear shoes with good traction. Leave your gym shoes at home for this one. And regardless of what time of year you go, it’ll be best to wear layers, it’s always warmer at the trailhead than it is at the top of the peak. You’ll want to be sure to have a pack for this one to stash your extra layers, snacks, and plenty of water. This hike is a really good work out, so if you love the athletic nature of hiking I really think you’re going to enjoy it!
Quick Glance:
Distance: 4.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,988 ft
Level: Challenging
Time: 3-4 hours
Traffic: Popular
2. Cathedral Rock- Mt. Charleston
Moving over to Mt. Charleston, you get a TOTALLY different vibe compared to Red Rock. And as much as I love Red Rock, I think I love Mt. Charleston more. The gray of the rock makes the green of the trees pop, and on a clear day the open blue sky gives it all a glorious back drop with a few wispy clouds. There’s nothing like it. A way to get even closer to this magnificent view is by taking a hike up to the top of Cathedral Rock!
Cathedral Rock trailhead has its own parking lot. Make sure you go to the Cathedral Rock Trail parking and not the Cathedral Rock picnic area. There are two different sections to park in, but even with that, there are not a lot of spaces, and this is a popular trail. So, if you’re planning your hike for a weekend, the earlier the better. From the trailhead, you’ll go left around the fenced-in restoration area. Shortly after, there will be a fork in the trail. For Cathedral Rock and Echo Trail, you’ll need to turn right. I have messed up the beginning of this hike twice before, despite having been there on multiple occasions. For having such a deep love of hiking, you’d think I’d put in more effort to have a better sense of direction, but alas, I probably won’t.
This is an out and back hike that is 2.8 miles in total, you will be hiking up some steady and not so steady incline the entire way to the top. There will also be a few switchbacks the further up you get as well! With a 948 ft elevation gain, there are a few benches on the way up for those who’d like to stop and rest or just enjoy the view. This is a moderate hike, but given the multiple places to rest and the shaded areas, I think it’s a good fit for almost any experience level. Always be aware of loose rocks on the trail though, especially on the way down.
Although you’ll see plenty of gorgeous views on the way up, at the very top you get an absolutely awesome view of Kyle Canyon. This is a really popular trail so you’re bound to encounter other hikers. That being said, each time I’ve done this hike I’ve been able to have some time by myself up at the top to eat a snack and just chill out in the silence. You’ll also most likely encounter some very friendly chipmunks, but just remember to leave them be and do NOT feed them anything. I know they’re really flippin’ cute, but don’t.
This is a great hike to dip your toes in at Mt. Charleston and get a big picture view of how beautiful it is up there. I’ve always had a great experience with this one, it usually takes me about 1 hr and 40 minutes including a break at the top. If you’d like to spend the day in Mt. Charleston it’s a great one to start with before heading to a longer trail. We took my 13-year-old step son with us this summer (2022) and he loved it! Dogs are welcome on leashes as well.
Quick Glance:
Distance: 2.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 948 ft
Level: Moderate
Time: 1.5-2 hours
Traffic: Popular
3. Upper and Lower Bristlecone Loop- Mt. Charleston
I was introduced to this trail very recently, and I ended up loving it so much that I did it on two back-to-back weekends! The first time, I ran it (I will make a separate post on this) beginning at the Upper Bristlecone Trailhead. The second time, I hiked it with my husband and stepson, starting at the Lower Bristlecone Trailhead. I like this trail because you get a variety of views and terrain as you make your way through. At some points, you feel like you’re in the middle of a forest, and at higher points, you get more of the canyon experience. A fun fact I learned while out on the trail is that the Bristlecone is actually the oldest species of trees in the world, which just makes it all the more endearing to me. It highlights one of my favorite things about hiking in preserved areas. There aren’t many places in the world anymore where we can look at something and know someone 100 years ago would have seen a similar sight. Nature is a place where timelines can connect.
After doing this trail from both trailheads, I would most definitely recommend starting at Upper Bristlecone. There is a lot of ups and downs without the incline being overly strenuous and then you get a steady decline once you hit Lower Bristlecone, which was a bit more challenging making our way up it right at the start of our hike (especially with a 13-year old). It feels well earned having it at the end! That being said, the trail overall is a moderate one and is 6.3 miles in total.
Starting off at Upper Bristlecone you’ll hike the first 0.3 mile next to a fenced-in area that is actually there to protect the endangered Mt. Charleston Blue Butterflies which are out during the summer months. We personally didn’t see any but stay on the look out and of course respect the fence. From here you’ll make your way through a wooded area and receive some awesome shade for a decent portion of Upper Bristlecone. When you get to the ridge line that’s when you get a panoramic view of the mountains and Lee Canyon. Make sure you take a few moments every so often to see the view evolve behind you as well as the gorgeous scene in front of you.
When you approach Lower Bristle Cone, you’ll notice that the trail goes from a single track to a wide gravel trail. We came across quite a few people taking their dogs for walks on this portion. Dogs are welcome on the trail and from my understanding, without leashes in certain areas. From here you’ll make your gradual decline down the the Lower Bristle Cone parking lot.
After you arrive at the other trailhead you will have to finish the loop by walking along the road to get back to whichever parking lot you started from. It’s not the most exciting walk, you are literally just walking at the side of the road, but it’s less than a mile and the road isn’t typically too busy, just always be on the lookout for cars. The only downside (in my opinion) to starting at Upper Bristle Cone is you have a steep hill to trek up to get back to the parking lot.
We saw quite a few families with younger children out on this hike. I think it’s great for most fitness levels as long as you’re prepared to be out there for 2-3 hours. There will be quite a few spots to stop and rest in the shade along the way. It’s one of those hikes that helps you forget how close you are to the city. You’re surrounded by nature and really get a chance to soak in the beauty of Mt. Charleston.
Quick Glance:
Distance: 6.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 931 ft
Level: Moderate
Time: 2-3 hours
Traffic: Medium
