The City and surrounding areas of Las Vegas offer much, much more than just bright lights and casinos. Recreational opportunities abound within a 30 minute radius of city.  Mt Charleston is located 35 miles northwest in the Spring Mountains.  Year round activities such as hiking, biking, camping, skiing and more are just a few of the highlights enjoyed by a visit to this spectacular area.

There is much history surrounding Charleston Peak.  John C. Fremont named the mountain after his wife’s hometown - Charleston, North Carolina during his original exploration.  Housed within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and boasting the third largest peak in Nevada, the mountain is just shy of 12,000 feet.  The cool breezes and higher altitudes of the alpine landscape make Charleston a favorite for escaping the desert summer heat.

There are more than 180 campsites and at least 160 picnic areas throughout the park.  RV spaces are also available at many of the campgrounds.  53 miles of hiking trails wind through the mountainous terrain for those with an adventurous spirit.  Some trails are even paved and provide handicapped accessibility. 

Horseback rides through Fletcher Canyon are available in summertime while winter brings adventure seekers more fun with the opening of the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort located in Lee Canyon.        

Mount Charleston is a fabulous city escape that won’t disappoint, guided tours are available or you can take US 95 north then head west on Hwy 157 to reach the area.

Located along the western rim of the Las Vegas Valley just near the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is the community of Summerlin, Nevada.  Summerlin is a planned community originally purchased and run by Howard Hughes in the 1950s and named after his grandmother, Jean Amelia Summerlin.  Hughes obtained the land as the Hughes Tool Company which later became the Summa Corporation.  Much of the land was acquired for as little as twenty-five cents an acre as it was thought to have no use.  The Summa Corporation’s land holdings continued to grow over time and thus the two main areas, Summerlin North and South, were conceived.

Summerlin is actually contained within two locales, the City of Las Vegas and Clark County Nevada.  The area is generally divided into North, South, West and Centre.  There are many villages in each locale which contain a variety of gated, non-gated and age-restricted communities.  Summerlin is highlighted by wonderful pocket parks (there are over 100) and scenic rest stops that showcase the stunning natural beauty of the area.  Community members can be found biking and golfing or playing tennis, soccer and even chess in the park.  There are also many village community centers throughout the area to enjoy.  Golf is of course a big attraction for Summerlin - there are at least nine courses in the area.

The Red Rock Country Club Community is home to two of those spectacular courses - the private Mountain Course and the public Arroyo Course.  Both courses are Arnold Palmer designed signature courses which players of all levels can enjoy.  The natural beauty of the surroundings in this community are unmatched.  At the Red Rock Country Club you are sure to have a world-class golf experience.

Please contact Jan or Kerry at the Coffman Team for more information about living in Summerlin, Nevada!

Interested in Red Rock Country Club Homes?  Please use our online Las Vegas MLS Search.

Just 30 minutes from the heart of Las Vegas heading West on Charleston Boulevard brings you to the incredible Red Rock Canyon Conservancy.  This is an area of federal public land set aside in order to conserve, protect and enhance the canyon for years to come.  Here you’ll find 13 miles of scenic views, hiking, biking, camping and more.  The 7,600 sqft Visitor’s Center provides everything you’ll need to enjoy a day at the park.  You can find in-depth information about the history of the area, recreation options, geology, wildlife and vegetation.  The area covers almost 197,000 acres, highlights incredible geologic features and colors and is home to a variety of wildlife.  There is a small fee to enter the park, generally $5.00/vehicle or $20 for an annual pass.  Don’t forget to help conserve this area you must:

• Keep wildlife wild
• Leave no trace
• Park only in designated spots
• Observe no-offroad driving
• Restrict your pets
• Take only pictures home with you
• Abide by the law

Just minutes away you’ll find Spring Mountain Ranch State Park.  This charming locale and working ranch was once a hideaway for celebrities such as Howard Hughes and Vera Krupp.  Being spring-fed, the ranch offers lush greenery and incredible scenery.  A year-round calendar of events such as local performances and hikes through Red Rock Canyon will keep visitors busy. 

Las Vegas offers much more than just neon lights - take the family out to enjoy the beautiful scenery in the area!

I live just fifteen minutes from this gorgeous area and was able to get out the other day to take a few photos - enjoy!

Red Rock Canyon borders the community of Summerlin.  Curious about real estate here?  Please use our online Las Vegas MLS Search.

Central to Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and the famed Las Vegas Strip, Henderson Nevada offers the hospitality of a small town yet the excitement of a big city.  Borne out of necessity just prior to World War II, Henderson originally housed a basic magnesium plant that supplied the US War Department with munitions and airplane parts.  by 1947, magnesium was no longer needed for war efforts and nearly half of Henderson’s inhabitants had moved on.  The Nevada legislature eventually took over state administration of basic magnesium allowing local industry in Henderson to grow and thrive.  Today a fledgling town that was once only 13 square miles is the second largest city in Nevada.

Residents and visitors have ample opportunity to enjoy lots of leisure time in Henderson.  With eight championship golf courses (including The Rio Secco Golf Club, one of the top courses in the nation), Nevada’s only scenic bird preserve, over 11 miles of hiking trails, a nationally accredited parks and recreation system, a massive recreational facility and the largest outdoor amphitheater in Nevada - there is plenty to do in Henderson.  Visitors to the city will also be taken care of with over 2,000 hotel rooms and a plethora of exquisite shopping, dining and pampering options.

Just miles from McCarran international Airport, Henderson is conveniently situated on the southern rim of the Las Vegas Valley, east of the Boulder Highway and slightly east of Interstate 15.  Highway access is gained through US 93/95 or the I-215 Beltway linking to I-15.

Don’t miss the upcoming Henderson Heritage Parade and Festival marking 55 years of history and tradition!

Saturday, April 19th

8:00 am - Mayor & Council Breakfast Henderson Convention Center (Front Lawn)
10:00 am  - Parade Procession Commences Water St. (Basic Ave. to Victory Rd.)
12 - 4pm  - Car Show Henderson Events Plaza
12 - 8pm  - International Food a& Folk Life Festival Henderson Events Plaza

Interested in Henderson Real Estate Opportunities?  Please use our complimentary Las Vegas Area MLS Search

Just 30 miles East of Las Vegas lies the world’s largest man-made reservoir - Lake Mead.  For water enthusiasts, Lake Mead offers a variety of year-round recreation.  Boating, fishing, sun bathing, swimming, scuba diving, hiking, camping, water skiing and more all provide loads of family fun.  The surrounding and starkly contrasting Mojave desert also offers plenty to do for hikers, photographers and those hoping to just enjoy the sights.  You might be surprised to know that there is an abundance of specially adapted plants and animals inhabiting the desert.  Some even remain dormant until conditions are just right for germination.

Lake Mead was formed in the 1930’s with the creation of the Hoover Dam and the damming of the Colorado River.  Pioneers sought to harness the power of the river to allow for large-scale irrigation and the expansion of other industries.  The lake is named after Elwood Mead, the Bureau of Reclamation commissioner at the time.  Lake Mead was dubbed the first national recreation area in 1964.  Millions of visitors come each year to take advantage of the many recreational opportunities and experience the wonder of Lake Mead’s diverse desert landscape.

The park does require entrance and lake use fees.  You can purchase daily use passes or an annual pass.  There are many different types of pass programs but generally entrance is $5.00 per vehicle for 1-5 days or $20 per year.  Lake use fees are generally $10.00 per vessel for 1-5 days or $20 per vessel/ per year.

Lake Mead Website
http://www.nps.gov/lame/index.htm

Full Fee Schedule
http://www.nps.gov/lame/planyourvisit/feesandreservations.htm

Nevada’s oldest and biggest state park, Valley of Fire gets its name from the distinctive and fiery sand stone formations contained within its Mojave Desert boundaries.  Just six miles from Lake Mead and a 55 mile drive from Las Vegas, Valley of Fire is a popular destination for outdoor recreation.  On your tour of Valley of Fire you will sense a connection to early native American cultures.  The Anasazi once use these lands for hunting and religious ceremonies.  Their history dates from 300 B.C. to approximately 1150 A. D.  Examples of Anasazi rock art and petroglyphs can be found throughout the area including one petroglyph that is 3,000 year old.

Although Valley of Fire is in the heart of the desert, nature abounds.  Many forms of plant life thrive and the springtime bloom is not to be missed.  Keep your eyes open for birds such as the roadrunner, coyotes, kit fox, spotted skunk, rabbits, antelope, and if you’re lucky the protected desert tortoise. 

The visitors Center (open daily 8:30am - 4:30pm) offers interesting exhibits and provides maps and directions for scenic drives, hiking tours, camping grounds, picnic spots and more. 

Download the Park Brochure:
http://parks.nv.gov/pdf/VOFBrochure.pdf

Park Fees:
http://parks.nv.gov/pdf/VOFBrochure.pdf

Park Map:
http://parks.nv.gov/images/vfmap.gif

Valley of Fire Website:
http://parks.nv.gov/vf.htm