Easy hiking trails on Mt. Charleston

Echo Cliffs along Cathedral Rock Trail

Just a 45-minute drive from Las Vegas, you’ll find some of the best easy hiking trails Mount Charleston has to offer!

Notice: Mt. Charleston recently experienced substantial storm damage from Hurricane Hillary. Be sure to check for updated information about closures here.

Upper Bristlecone Trail beginning
Hiking trail around Mt. Charleston

Easy hiking trails Mount Charleston

Desert View Overlook Hike

This short, paved hike is packed full of historic significance and expansive views of the Mojave Desert.

This area used to be a popular viewing area for the atomic bomb testing between 1951 and 1992 when over 900 bombs were tested below ground and 100 were tested above ground. The short trail is loaded with informational sign boards about the history of the area and makes a great stop along a tour of the local scenic byway.

  • Distance (round trip): ~0.4 miles
  • Elevation gain: ~49 feet
  • Route Type: Out and back
  • Average time: Less than 30 minutes
  • Trail start: Desert View Overlook Trailhead at 36.33668, -115.62881
  • Season: Year-round (weather permitting)
Desert View Overlook Trailhead Sign
Desert View Overlook

Read more about the Desert View Overlook trail.

Kunav Huveep hike

This easy stroll starting at the Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway is a great way to become acquainted with Mt. Charleston. You’ll enjoy learning about the unique history of the area with abundant exhibits and informational signs while taking in the breathtaking views of Kyle Canyon.

  • Distance (round trip): ~0.75 miles
  • Elevation gain: <100 feet
  • Route Type: Loop
  • Average time: 30 minutes
  • Trail start: Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway
  • Season: Year-round
Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway
Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway

Related: Learn more about the Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway Center.

Acastus Trail hike

This mostly flat trail is great for beginners. Start from either the Fletcher Canyon parking area (preferred) or the Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway and enjoy a pleasant stroll through the forest.

Along the way, you can learn about the local geologic and cultural history of the area. The trail is packed with informational sign boards and benches along the way.

Acatus Trail, Mt Charleston, NV, Information Sign Board
Acatus trail informational sign board

Eagles Nest Loop hike

This short refreshing hike heads through lush forested areas in the Spring Mountains. Enjoy the well-marked and traveled trail with expansive views of the valley and majestic old growth trees.

After a slight incline at the beginning of the loop, you’ll come out of the forested area and soon be wandering peacefully down an easy path that’s sure to impress.

Fletcher Mountain view from Eagle's Nest Trail
Eagle’s Nest Trailhead

Read about our experience on the Eagle’s Nest Loop Trail.

Sawmill Trailhead hike

If you’re looking for a perfect short hike with views of Mount Charleston and the many pine trees surrounding the trail, this hike is for you.

Make sure to follow the colored arrows as you’re traveling around the trail to stay on track. For the more adventurous, you can explore the multiple trail splits in the area.

Enjoying Sawmill Loop Trail
Sawmill loop trail

Related: Read about our experience on the Sawmill loop trail.


Looking for something a little more difficult? Read on to see the best moderate hiking trails Mt Charleston has to offer.

Butterfly on Cathedral Rock Trail
Wildlife in the Mt. Charleston area

Moderate hiking trails Mount Charleston

Fletcher Canyon Trail

Fletcher Canyon Trail is a moderate hike with beautiful views of the Spring Mountains, seasonal wildflowers and ends in an captivating journey through a variety of towering slot canyons.

Fletcher Canyon is one of our favorite hikes in the area.

  • Distance (round trip): ~4.0 miles
  • Elevation gain: ~1,000 feet
  • Route type: Out and back
  • Average time: 1.5 – 2.5 hours
  • Trail start: Fletcher Canyon Trailhead
  • Season: Spring through Fall
Woman standing in Fletcher Slot Canyons near Mt Charleston Nevada

Read more about our hike through Fletcher Canyon Trail.

Cathedral Rock Trail

Expansive views of Cathedral rock and the Echo Cliffs greet you immediately upon starting this trail. Enjoy wildflowers, beautiful views of the valley below and a chance to see a variety of wildlife.

This well marked trail has several benches along the trail to stop for a rest and a grand pay-off at the summit.

The elevation gain and rocky path make this a moderate hike, but one not to be missed.

  • Distance (round trip): 2.8 miles
  • Elevation gain: ~984 feet
  • Route Type: Out and back
  • Average time: 2 – 3 hours
  • Trail start: Cathedral Rock Trail, Mt Charleston, NV
  • Season: Late Spring through Late Fall
Cathedral Rock Summit
View from Cathedral Rock summit

Related: Check out our complete review of the Cathedral Rock hike

Mary Janes Falls hike

This heavily trafficked trail near Mt Charleston features a scenic trail with a seasonal waterfall at the end. The trail is more challenging due to the high amount of switch backs and erosion from hikers cutting corners to shorten the length of the trail.

You’ll also be met with a fair amount of shale during the last third of the hike. The best chance to see the waterfall is early in the season during the months of April and May.

  • Distance (round trip): 3.9 miles
  • Elevation gain: ~1,150 feet
  • Type: Out and back
  • Average time: Less than 3 hours
  • Trail start: Mary Jane Falls Trailhead – 6-34 Kyle Canyon Rd, Mt Charleston, NV 89124
  • Seasonal: April to December
Mary Jane Falls in the summer with a trickle of water
Mary Jane Falls

Related: Read more about our visit to Mary Jane Falls.

Bristlecone Loop Trail

Beautiful views, wildflowers and wildlife await you on this pleasant trail on the Lee Canyon side of Mt. Charleston.

This 6.3-mile moderate trail is best traversed clockwise starting with Upper Bristlecone. This trail is also used for mountain bikers and is dog friendly with a leash.

Mt Charleston Wilderness area
Bristlecone Loop Trail

Related: Check out our complete review of the Bristlecone Loop trail.

Raintree Trail

The Raintree trail is a popular 2.7-mile trek (each way) that takes hikers through scenic forests, past epic views and culminates in what many believe to be the oldest living thing in Nevada, a 3,000-year-old massive bristlecone tree.

  • Distance (round trip): 5.4 miles
  • Elevation gain: ~1,650 feet
  • Type: Out and back
  • Average time: 3.5 hours
  • Trail start: North Loop Trailhead
  • Season: Best used late spring through late fall
Estimated 3,000 year old bristlecone tree known as the Raintree
The “Raintree” a 3,000-year-old bristlecone

Related: Check out our complete review of the Raintree Trail.

More Information for your trip to Mt. Charleston:

You might also like: