Spring Mountains National Recreation Area
Encyclopedia
The Spring Mountains National Recreation Area (SMNRA) is a U.S.
National Recreation Area
, administered by the U.S. Forest Service, and lies west of Las Vegas, Nevada
. It covers over 316,000 acres (1,279 km2) of land. The area runs from low meadows at around 3,000 feet (900 m) of elevation to Mount Charleston
at 11,918 feet (3633 m) in elevation. The SMNRA is a part of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
. It adjoins the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
, which is administered by the Bureau of Land Management
.
Spring Mountains National Recreation Area is home to several plant and animal species
that are threatened. This was the driving force to create the Mount Charleston Wilderness area.
The SMNRA offers many activities from hiking
to picnicking to skiing
.
Additional land was added in 1989 to bring the area up to the current 316,000+ acres (1,279 km2).
The area was designated as Spring Mountains National Recreation Area by the U.S. Congress in 1993.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area is a designation for a protected area in the United States, often centered on large reservoirs and emphasizing water-based recreation for a large number of people. The first National Recreation Area was the Boulder Dam Recreation Area...
, administered by the U.S. Forest Service, and lies west of Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
. It covers over 316,000 acres (1,279 km2) of land. The area runs from low meadows at around 3,000 feet (900 m) of elevation to Mount Charleston
Mount Charleston
Mount Charleston, officially named Charleston Peak, at , is the highest of the Spring Mountains of southern Nevada and the state's eighth highest mountain peak. It is about northwest of Las Vegas and is within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, the Mount Charleston Wilderness and the Spring...
at 11,918 feet (3633 m) in elevation. The SMNRA is a part of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is the principal U.S. National Forest located in the U.S. state of Nevada. With an area of , it is the largest National Forest of the United States outside of Alaska...
. It adjoins the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Nevada is an area managed by the Bureau of Land Management as part of its National Landscape Conservation System, and protected as a National Conservation Area. It is located about west of Las Vegas, and easily seen from the Las Vegas Strip...
, which is administered by the Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior which administers America's public lands, totaling approximately , or one-eighth of the landmass of the country. The BLM also manages of subsurface mineral estate underlying federal, state and private...
.
Spring Mountains National Recreation Area is home to several plant and animal species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
that are threatened. This was the driving force to create the Mount Charleston Wilderness area.
The SMNRA offers many activities from hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
to picnicking to skiing
Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort
The Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort, also known to locals as Lee Canyon, is located in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, about 45 minutes' drive northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada via US 95. It is owned and operated by Powdr Corporation...
.
History
The area was first named the Charleston Forest Reserve in 1906.Additional land was added in 1989 to bring the area up to the current 316,000+ acres (1,279 km2).
The area was designated as Spring Mountains National Recreation Area by the U.S. Congress in 1993.