The Spring Mountains National Recreation Area (SMNRA) is a U.S. national recreation area, administered by the U.S. Forest Service, west of Las Vegas, Nevada. It covers over . The area runs from low meadows (around above sea level), to the Mount Charleston. The SMNRA is a part of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. It adjoins the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, which is administered by the Bureau of Land Management.

Spring Mountains National Recreation Area is home to several plant and animal species that are threatened. This was the driving force to create the Mount Charleston Wilderness area.

The SMNRA offers activities such as hiking, picnicking, and skiing at the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort.

History The area was first named the Charleston Forest Reserve in 1906.

Additional land was added in 1989 to bring the area up to the current 316,000+ acres (1,279 km2). The area was designated as Spring Mountains National Recreation Area by the U.S. Congress in 1993.

Activities Source: Mountain Biking

Bristlecone Trail Lower Bristlecone Trailhead Sawmill Trailhead Upper Bristlecone Trailhead

Campgrounds

Fletcher View Campground Hilltop Campground Kyle Canyon Road McWilliams Campground Mt. Charleston Scenic Byway

Backpacking

Kyle Canyon Road Mt. Charleston National Recreation Trail (S. Loop) Mt. Charleston Scenic Byway North Loop Trail

Hiking

Bonanza Trail Cathedral Rock Connector Trail Cathedral Rock Trail Cathedral Rock Trailhead Echo Trailhead Fletcher Canyon Trail Fletcher Canyon Trailhead Griffith Peak Trail Griffith Peak Trailhead Kyle Canyon Road Lower Bristlecone Trailhead Mary Jane Falls Trail Mary Jane Trailhead Mt. Charleston National Recreation Trail (S. Loop) Mt. Charleston Scenic Byway North Loop Trail North Loop Trailhead Robbers Roost Trailhead Sawmill Loop Trail Sawmill Ridge Route Trail Sawmill Trailhead Trail Canyon Trail Trail Canyon Trailhead Upper Bristlecone Trail Upper Bristlecone Trailhead

Picnicking

Cathedral Rock Picnic Site Deer Creek Picnic Site Kyle Canyon Picnic Area Kyle Canyon Road Mt. Charleston Scenic Byway Old Mill Picnic Site Sawmill Trailhead

Areas for Group Picnicking at Spring Mountains National Recreation Area Office

Foxtail Group Picnic Site Kyle Canyon Picnic Area

Winter Sports

Lee Canyon (Ski and Snowboard Resort) Mt. Charleston Scenic Byway

Gallery

References

External links U.S. Forest Service SMNRA Page link to SummitPost description of Cathedral Rock hiking trail