Developed Canyons Remain Closed in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area (Mt. Charleston) Due to Hazardous Conditions

Release Date: Sep 30, 2023

Contact(s): Patricia Ryan 775-299-2645

Las Vegas – U.S. Forest Service and partner crews continue to assess and discover extensive damage in the wake of Hurricane Hilary to popular trails including Mary Jane Falls, Cathedral Rock, Acastus, Bristlecone Pine, and Fletcher. All have sustained severe debris flows and in many areas the trail has completely washed away. Large boulders, dead trees, debris, and deep channels now exist where trails used to be.

Due to ongoing hazardous conditions, the Forest Area Closure for the Lee, Kyle, and Deer Creek areas of the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area (Mt. Charleston) remains in effect https://bit.ly/3rnn56I . This includes the Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway, and all trails, picnic areas, and campgrounds on Forest Service managed land. Additional details and a closure map are available on our website https://www.fs.usda.gov/htnf. Nevada State Highways 156 (Lee Canyon), 157 (Kyle Canyon), and 158 (Deer Creek) remain closed as repairs continue. Only working crews, local residents and private businesses have access.

“Safety remains our top priority,” said Deb MacNeill, Spring Mountains National Recreation Area Manager. “We continue emergency stabilization efforts and repairs. The next phase will include cost estimates and time frames relative to rerouting, rebuilding, and repairing the extensive damage.”

Forest employees are doing their best and working seven days a week to assess and repair the massive damage and keep the public up to date through the website and social media posts. While we all want to regain access to the areas it is still unsafe. We appreciate your patience and ask that you please check the website and social media posts for the latest conditions and follow the closure order.

Many dispersed recreation areas are open in the Spring Mountains NRA including Cold Creek, Willow Creek, Potosi, Cottonwood Pass, Lovell Canyon, Wheeler Wash, Mt. Stirling, and Johnny. The Carpenter Canyon and Wallace Canyon roads remain inaccessible even by 4x4 vehicles due to significant flooding washouts.

Visitors must be self-sufficient and check current weather conditions prior to heading into the back country. Weather patterns in the Spring Mountains can be drastically different than in Las Vegas Valley. Always check for the latest conditions and be prepared.

Current Mt. Charleston Conditions