Spirit Mountain, Sacred mountain in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada

Spirit Mountain, also called Avi Kwa Ame, is the highest point of the Newberry Mountains at 5,639 feet (1,719 m), within the Spirit Mountain Wilderness and Lake Mead National Recreation Area near Laughlin. The mountain is the center of creation for Yuman-speaking tribes and was listed as a Traditional Cultural Property on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

The mountain received federal protection in 2023 when President Biden established the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument. This decision recognized the historical and spiritual importance of this place for Native peoples and the broader public.

The mountain is called Avi Kwa Ame in the Mojave language and holds deep spiritual meaning for the Yuman-speaking peoples of the region. Visitors walking here encounter a landscape that remains central to creation stories still told by these communities today.

The hike begins at Christmas Tree Pass trailhead and follows a desert path with steady elevation gain to reach the summit. Visitors should start early, bring plenty of water, and prepare for intense sun and heat throughout the climb.

From the summit, visitors can see Lake Mohave, the Spring Mountains, and the Colorado River winding through the desert below. This wide view connects several major natural features of the region in a single sight.