Mount Charleston

Mount Charleston History

   Charleston Peak was first explored in the 1840s by John C. Fremont, who named the mountain in honor of his wife's hometown: Charleston, S.C. Today, Charleston Peak is better known as Mount Charleston, and it's among Southern Nevada's best-kept secrets.
   Mount Charleston is the highlight of the Spring Mountain National Recreation Area, which surrounds the Las Vegas valley. Just a half-hour north of the famous Las Vegas Strip, this scenic getaway seems more fitting for Northern New Mexico or Western Europe than Southern Nevada. If you're looking for snow in the desert, Mount Charleston is the place!

Mount Charleston Featured Homes

  The Spring Mountains are part of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, the largest national forest outside of Alaska. And at 11,918 feet, Mount Charleston is the Spring Mountains' tallest peak. Because of this higher altitude, temperatures on the mountain are often 20° to 30° cooler than in Las Vegas. In the winter, the range is even greater — be prepared to use snow tires if you want to venture up the mountain's snow-covered roads.
   There are several routes that lead to the mountain, including Lee Canyon Road (State Route 156) to the north and Kyle Canyon Road (State Route 157) to the south. Large homes and cozy cottages are scattered among the firs, pines and aspens that wind through the majestic forest.
   Although most homes serve as summer getaways from the desert heat, some locals live on the mountain year-round. Where else can you build a snowman or watch the flakes fall on a cold Nevada night?

Activities

   Mount Charleston sits amid the 300,000-acre Spring Mountain National Recreation Area, which offers 52 miles of hiking trails and 150 campsites. You can ride horses or hike up the mountain trails, many of which are located along Deer Creek Road (State Route 158). The area is also home to a variety of wildlife, from eagles, owls and falcons to deer, rodents and reptiles.
   Picnic areas are available at sites such as Old Mill, Cathedral Rock, Foxtail and Deer Creek. Old Mill also provides horseshoe pits and a volleyball court for the athletically inclined.
   At the north end of the mountain, you'll find the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort. Located within scenic Lee Canyon, this facility is the only ski operation in Southern Nevada. Ski, snowboard, sled or just take a leisurely ride on the ski lift, which offers a great view of the surrounding hills.
  Take a break at the Mount Charleston Lounge, which overlooks Kyle Canyon near the top of Mount Charleston. Log cabins are available for overnight accommodations, or you can have a meal or a warm drink near the lodge's large stone fireplace. On weekends, polka bands entertain the crowds who come to "chill" on the outdoor patio.

Mount Charleston Fast Facts

   Location: Mount Charleston is located about 35 miles northwest of Las Vegas
  *Total area: 29.36 square miles
  *Population: 285 year-round residents
  *Housing units: 362
*Information provided by 2000 Census

Schools

   There is one public school in Mount Charleston: Lundy Elementary. Older students attend classes in neighboring communities.

Homes

   Mount Charleston offers single-family homes, vacation homes, condominiums, and commercial properties.

Real Estate

   There are a variety of designs in Mount Charleston. These pictures give a few examples:

More Mount Charleston Photos
Photos by John Vanhara for HomesParadise.com

  
                                    Mount Charleston Scenery

Where is Mount Charleston?

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