[starwolf43]

I'm planning to go to Vegas in a few months, but I want to spend one day away from the Vegas casinos to enjoy nature. So, out of the Valley of Fire, Red Rock Canyon, and Mount Charleston, which would you recommend most?

[desertsun41]

I have always liked the loop in Red Rock Canyon. While I am out there I will also do Bonny Springs Ranch for lunch and pet the Animals in the small Zoo. Sometimes rent a Horse for 2 hours for a ride.

Lastly just up the road I like to do a spin through Blue Diamond. Stop in the little General Store for whatever. It's nice little micro scopic town of maybe 50 people? If you take this ride within an hour of sundown you are sure to see the wild Burrows out on or near the street. If you are real lucky you will see the wild Horses wondering about. I think due to yet another bureaucratic disaster they may have rounded up most or all of these beautiful Horses and shipped them north. Nothing Nevada does could ever be considered smart by any stretch.

Right there is also a State Park I have never gone to, I cant remember the name. It has the log overhead entrance. And coming back towards Vegas is Calico Basin. There is a nice good sized State Park there where you can do some mountain climbing and picniking.

Then all good things must come to an end. When you get back into the cesspool of ferocious traffic and eveyone hitting eachother with accidents on every corner, your smile just falls. Back to the grind.

So although Mt Charleston and Vally of Fire are great too, you can make a full day of doing many things up there at Red Rock.

Have fun.......

[airics]

i never went to mt charleston yet, but i love valley of fire....so thats my vote

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by starwolf43

I'm planning to go to Vegas in a few months, but I want to spend one day away from the Vegas casinos to enjoy nature. So, out of the Valley of Fire, Red Rock Canyon, and Mount Charleston, which would you recommend most?

You said you'd be coming in a few months so that could mean hot weather. You didn't say where you were coming from, or what you would like to do at those places. For instance, are you a hiker, or do you just want to look at the scenery?

If you are coming during the hot months you probably wouldn't want to go to The Valley of Fire. It may also be too hot to do much at Red Rock Canyon. But, the red rock part of Valley of Fire is much larger than the red rocks of Red Rock Canyon, although Red Rock Canyon covers much more than just the rocks. You can hike up to pretty high elevations in Red Rock if you are a hiker. If you are just looking at scenery, and don't plan to walk too far from your car, and don't mind the drive, then Valley of Fire. Valley of Fire has thousands of Indian petroglyphs. Red Rock has just a few and you have to know where to look. Valley of Fire has way more interesting rock formations too. It also has petrified wood, etc. If you do Valley of Fire you could also drive along the north shore road of Lake Mead, and go into Overton to see the Lost City Museum.

If you don't want a long drive, then go to Red Rock. You can do all those things out there that desertsun41 spoke of. The park beyond Bonnie Springs Ranch that was mentioned is Spring Mountain Ranch and it is a really pleasant place to visit. Nevada Division of State Parks - Spring Mountain Ranch State Park


If you want to get away where there are pine and aspen trees, and where it is cooler, then go up on the mountain. The Mt. Charleston Lodge is at approx. 8,000 feet. If you are into hiking, the top of Charleston Peak is 11,982 feet. It's an 18 mile round trip hike from the trailhead just beyond the Lodge, and very, very steep trails, but it can be done in a day if you start just after sunup. Don't try it unless you are in excellent shape. There are much easier and shorter hikes up there too if you just want to stroll through the woods. Stop at the ranger station on the way before you get to the Lodge and get a map. If you come from Colorado or some other western state where you have mountains, then Mt. Charleston won't be a big deal to you. If you come from east of the Mississippi it will be a very big deal. Right now there is too much snow to do much hiking, but again you didn't say when you'd be here. The Lodge is past the Mt. Charleston Hotel at the end of the main road. It has better food, views, and atmosphere so I'd recommend it over the hotel. You can leave your car there and take a walk in the woods.

[radraja]

I personally like Mount Charleston best. Spring through fall it's really lush and green, and the temperatures are significantly lower than in the valley, so it's great for hiking. In the winter, there's snow for skiing.

Red Rock would be my second pick. The scenery is pretty unique and cool, but the altitude is lower so it gets pretty hot (not my favorite climate to hike in).

[nevadaman]

Originally Posted by starwolf43

I'm planning to go to Vegas in a few months, but I want to spend one day away from the Vegas casinos to enjoy nature. So, out of the Valley of Fire, Red Rock Canyon, and Mount Charleston, which would you recommend most?

Everything is so close together here. If your going to make a day of it, why not see it all. In fact I'd end the day by going to Lake Mead for the sunset. Enjoy your time here.

[desertsun41]

Originally Posted by Buzz123

You said you'd be coming in a few months so that could mean hot weather. You didn't say where you were coming from, or what you would like to do at those places. For instance, are you a hiker, or do you just want to look at the scenery?

If you are coming during the hot months you probably wouldn't want to go to The Valley of Fire. It may also be too hot to do much at Red Rock Canyon. But, the red rock part of Valley of Fire is much larger than the red rocks of Red Rock Canyon, although Red Rock Canyon covers much more than just the rocks. You can hike up to pretty high elevations in Red Rock if you are a hiker. If you are just looking at scenery, and don't plan to walk too far from your car, and don't mind the drive, then Valley of Fire. Valley of Fire has thousands of Indian petroglyphs. Red Rock has just a few and you have to know where to look. Valley of Fire has way more interesting rock formations too. It also has petrified wood, etc. If you do Valley of Fire you could also drive along the north shore road of Lake Mead, and go into Overton to see the Lost City Museum.

If you don't want a long drive, then go to Red Rock. You can do all those things out there that desertsun41 spoke of. The park beyond Bonnie Springs Ranch that was mentioned is Spring Mountain Ranch and it is a really pleasant place to visit. Nevada Division of State Parks - Spring Mountain Ranch State Park


If you want to get away where there are pine and aspen trees, and where it is cooler, then go up on the mountain. The Mt. Charleston Lodge is at approx. 8,000 feet. If you are into hiking, the top of Charleston Peak is 11,982 feet. It's an 18 mile round trip hike from the trailhead just beyond the Lodge, and very, very steep trails, but it can be done in a day if you start just after sunup. Don't try it unless you are in excellent shape. There are much easier and shorter hikes up there too if you just want to stroll through the woods. Stop at the ranger station on the way before you get to the Lodge and get a map. If you come from Colorado or some other western state where you have mountains, then Mt. Charleston won't be a big deal to you. If you come from east of the Mississippi it will be a very big deal. Right now there is too much snow to do much hiking, but again you didn't say when you'd be here. The Lodge is past the Mt. Charleston Hotel at the end of the main road. It has better food, views, and atmosphere so I'd recommend it over the hotel. You can leave your car there and take a walk in the woods.

Hey Buzz can you tell me exactly how to get to that Mt Charleston Lodge? Is it all the way to the end of that road and a left turn then there is a big parking lot that seems to have a circle at the end like a Helicopter pad?

Am I close? I guess this is the Ski Lodge?

Thanks...

[guinnessjim]

Originally Posted by desertsun41

Hey Buzz can you tell me exactly how to get to that Mt Charleston Lodge? Is it all the way to the end of that road and a left turn then there is a big parking lot that seems to have a circle at the end like a Helicopter pad?

Am I close? I guess this is the Ski Lodge?

Thanks...

if you want the mt. charleston lodge, take kyle canyon rd (157)...the lodge will be after a big hairpin turn..cant miss it.

the ski lodge is up at the ski hill (take lee canyon rd - 156).

if you want a great day trip, head up 157 to lodge (eat if you don't mind pricey food or just have a drink). come back down 157 and take the 158 turn off over to lee canyon (there are signs pointing to the ski area). you can then head up 156 to the ski area and lodge (the lodge has a bar, also). you can also hike along the bristle cone trail from the ski area parking lot (allows you to see some small bristle cones...the really cool big ones are up much higher).

here is a map Google Maps

[SLCPUNK]

How is the skiing there anyway? A lot of man made snow?

[cjski21]

I came from Colorado and let me tell you, the skiing here is a joke. 6 trails and two lifts and $50 bucks to do it. Drive three hours to Brian Head and get some real skiing in for cheaper.

To the OP, I wouldn't recommend any of those. All too crowded. Try the Desert Wildlife Preserve up on 95. I have been up there prolly 15 time and have only scratched the surface. Literally thousands of acres to explore and decent roads to boot. Just make sure you have 4WD. Take a tent for an amazing experience. The stars at night are truly inspiring. Especially if you set up cam on the top of the mountain range. You can see millions of stars and the entire Las Vegas Valley. I am convinced that god lives there too.