Spring Mountains National Recreation Area | |
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IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape) | |
Location | Clark / Nye counties, Nevada, United States |
Nearest city | Las Vegas, Nevada |
Coordinates | 36°16′18″N 115°41′40″W / 36.27167°N 115.69444°W |
Area | 316,000 acres (494 sq mi; 1,280 km2) |
Established | August 4, 1993 |
Governing body | United States Forest Service |
Website | Spring Mountains National Recreation Area |
The Spring Mountains National Recreation Area (SMNRA) is a U.S. national recreation area, administered by the U.S. Forest Service, west of Las Vegas, Nevada. It covers over 316,000 acres (494 sq mi; 1,280 km2). The area runs from low meadows (around 3,000 feet or 910 meters above sea level), to the 11,918-foot (3,633 m) Mount Charleston. 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 activities such as hiking, picnicking, and skiing at the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort.