| Spring Mountains National Recreation Area Area |
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Geography
| Spring Mountains National Recreation Area   | 
| Page Type: Area Location: Nevada, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 36.31291°N / 115.60913°W Trail Type: Cross Country, Downhill, Mountain Season: Spring, Summer, Fall | Page By: Matt K Created/Edited: Oct 8, 2007 / Oct 15, 2007 Object ID: 261860 Hits: 777 Loading... Page Score: 87.32% - 5 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
Overview  Forest service roads provide potential riding opportunities in the Spring Mountains at lower elevations.
Located in Southern Nevada, the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area (SMNRA) encompasses more than 316,000 acres and is part of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. SMNRA is better known to locals as Mount Charleston and is located just one hour from the Strip. The SMNRA is located between the Town of Pahrump (to the west) and Las Vegas (to the east), and runs generally northwest-southeast.
The SMNRA has varying types of terrain, from low meadows and steep canyons to high, rugged mountains. The elevations range from approximately 3,000 feet at the lowest point to almost 12,000 feet at Mount Charleston, the highest mountain peak. The SMNRA contains three wilderness areas totaling 79,500 acres.
Summer temperatures are typically 20 degrees cooler than in Las Vegas, usually in the 80s and 90s and dropping into the 40s at night. Fall and Spring temperatures are usually cool and somewhat variable. Winters are cold and snowy.
Two canyons - Kyle and Lee - provide road access into the range. These canyons can be broken down into three basic areas.
The "upper" canyons are located at the highest elevations (7,500+ feet) and are primarily covered in ponderosa, white fir, and bristlecone pine. Upper Kyle Canyon contains the community of Mt. Charleston as well as many hiking trailheads, campgrounds and picnic areas. There are no mountain bike trails in upper Kyle Canyon. Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard is found in upper Lee Canyon along with trailheads, camping, picniking, and a beautiful meadow. The Bristlecone Pine trail is in upper Lee Canyon and does allow mountain biking.
The "middle" portion of Kyle and Lee Canyons (roughly 5,000 feet to 7,500 feet) are mostly covered in juniper and pinyon pine trees, with some overlap of Joshua trees. The "lower" portion of the canyons are too dry for trees and are covered with Joshua trees and other Mojave Desert vegetation. Both the middle and lower canyons of Kyle and Lee contain many forest service roads, user-created roads, and user-created trails that could provide fun mountain biking opportunities.
Getting ThereFrom Las Vegas:
Head north on highway 95 towards Tonopah/Reno. Shortly after exiting the city, turn left on highway 157 to access Kyle Canyon and the town of Mt. Charleston, or continue 14 miles and turn left on highway 156 to access Lee Canyon.
Note that there are no services including gas stations available in the town of Mt. Charleston. Contact Information  This road in lower Lee Canyon is another potentially fun ride.
4701 North Torrey Pines Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89130-2301
702.515.5400
Monday through Friday
7:30 am to 4:30 pm
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Supervisor's Office
1200 Franklin Way
Sparks, NV 89431
775.331.6444
Monday through Friday
8:00 am to 4:30 pm
External LinksHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
Spring Mountains National Recreation Area (SMNRA)CampingThere are six campgrounds located within the Spring Mountain Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.
McWilliams (8,500 ft) and Dolomite (8,500 ft) are located in Lee Canyon. Mahogany Grove (8,000 ft - group only) and Hill Top (8,400 ft) are located on Deer Creek Road. Fletcher View (7,000 ft) and Kyle Canyon (6,900 ft) are located in Kyle Canyon. For additional information visit this page.
Reservations can be made by calling: 1.877.444.6777 or visiting this website.
In addition to the above campgrounds, dispersed camping is allowed in the National Forest and the surrounding BLM land.
Southern Nevada Bike ShopsHenderson Shops
Bike Shop
2578 Wigwam Parkway
702.897.1618
JT's Bicycles
76 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Suite 130
702.756.7208
Aspen Creek Cycling
1550 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Suite E
702.893.2453
REI Henderson
2220 Village Walk Drive, Suite 150
702.896.7111
Las Vegas Shops
Las Vegas Cyclery
8221 West Charleston, Suite 101
702.596.2953
McGhies Ski, Bike & Board
4503 Sahara Avenue
702.252.8077
ProCyclery
7034 West Charleston
702-228-9460
Peloton Sports
911 North Buffalo Drive
702.363.1991
Bike World
2320 East Flamingo Road
702.735.7551
1901 South Rainbow Boulevard
702.254.1718
Bike King
7645 South Rainbow Boulevard, Suite 100
702.300.3619
Nu Vision Cyclery
8447 W. Lake Mead Boulevard
702.228.1333
Southwest Bikes
7260 W. Azure Drive #130
702.227.RIDE
Boulder City Shops
All Mountain Cyclery
1404 Nevada Hwy Suite C
702.453.2453
B.C. Adventure Bicycles
1323 Arizona, Boulder City
702.293.0599
Bike Stuff
1647 Nevada Hwy # A
702.293.2453
Blue Diamond
McGhies Bike Outpost
16 Cottonwood Dr # B
702.875.4820 Images |
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