Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, National recreation area in Clark County, Nevada, United States

Spring Mountains National Recreation Area is a nature reserve spanning elevations from around 3,000 feet to Mount Charleston's peak at 11,918 feet. The landscape features forests, canyons, and alpine zones that support diverse habitats and ecosystems.

Originally designated as Charleston Forest Reserve in 1906, the area became a National Recreation Area in 1993. This shift marked a change in how the mountains were protected and made available to the public.

The area lies within the traditional territory of the Southern Paiute, who used its springs and high meadows. The name Spring Mountains comes from the springs that made the range a water source in the desert. The Mount Charleston Wilderness, created to protect threatened species, covers part of the range.

The area offers multiple access points near Las Vegas with facilities for hiking, camping, and mountaineering throughout its various zones. Timing your visit depends on planned activities, as snow regularly covers higher elevations in winter while lower areas can experience intense heat in summer.

The threatened plants and animals of the Spring Mountains were the driving force behind the creation of the Mount Charleston Wilderness, which adjoins the recreation area. The area is part of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and borders the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, managed by the Bureau of Land Management.