Cathedral Rock Trail - Las Vegas, Nevada - Moderate Climb to Spring Mountain Views

Located within the Kyle Canyon area of the Spring Mountains, about an hour northwest of Las Vegas, the Cathedral Rock Trail provides a moderately strenuous, 1.5-mile hike to the top of a rocky promontory. From the top of Cathedral Rock at an elevation of 8,635 feet, there are splendid views of Mt. Charleston as well as the Sheep Range and the canyon below.

The trailhead can be found at the Cathedral Rock Picnic Area, where a $6 parking fee is required. The trail starts up an old road leading to an avalanche chute on the east side of Cathedral Rock. A rock saddle and a few short, steep switchbacks on the far side bring hikers to the summit.

Flora to look for along the way includes quaking aspen, ponderosa pine, several species of shrubs, and plenty of spring wildflowers. The rise in elevation is 1,564 feet; the hiking time in and out is 1.5~2.5 hours, covering about three miles in total.

To get to Cathedral Rock Trail from Las Vegas, drive north on U.S. 95 for about half an hour to State Highway 157 (Kyle Canyon Road). Turn left and go west 17.7 miles to the Spring Mountains Visitor Center. The entrance to Cathedral Rock Picnic Area is 2.5 miles further along on the right. The picnic area hours are from 8am to 5pm daily from spring through fall, extended till 8pm in the summer, but closed all winter.