Spring Mountains Scenic Drive Road Trip

The Spring Mountains Scenic Drive, in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest near Las Vegas, is an excursion through multiple climates and elevations, with desert flora changing from scrub brush to juniper trees to pine forests on the way to the peak. Charleston Peak, at 11,918 feet, is a focal point of the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area.

Joshua trees and creosote bushes give way to juniper and pinyon pine-covered slopes, then sub-alpine forest as the Spring Mountains Scenic Drive climbs toward the base of Mount Charleston. Aspens adorn evergreen forests with gold leaves in the fall. Snow melts into rushing rivers and waterfalls in late spring. Summer brings wild horses, burros and elk out to play.