Will Hike for Zen
Fall/Winter 2025
Three southern Nevada hikes prove to be good for the body and soul.
BY ALEXANDRIA HAWTHORNE
Southern Nevada has some of the most insane beauty in the Southwest. From craggy peaks to sweeping valleys covered in desert flora, it’s easy for someone to get FOMO about the countless hiking trails, hard-to-reach natural gems, and millions of acres of public lands to explore. (It’s me. I have the FOMO.) But if you’re like me and perish in any temperature above 70 degrees, exploring the region’s geological wonders in the summertime is near impossible.
Thankfully, Las Vegas temperatures generally hover around 60 degrees in late fall and early spring. With camera batteries charged and my partner in crime—Creative Manager Kippy Spilker—in tow, I seized the opportunity to get into the area surrounding Las Vegas. It was time to sink my metaphorical teeth into this magical desert land.
Short But Oh-So Sweet
The first stop was Lake Mead National Recreation Area. As a first-timer, I didn’t know what to expect. We paid the entrance fee, turned onto Northshore Road and immediately got distracted by beautiful views of nearby Lake Las Vegas. We snapped a couple photos and continued down the road toward our first hiking stop. We couldn’t help but stop a few more times for photos and to marvel at the beautiful scenery.
We arrived at the Redstone Discovery Trail, a short 1-mile excursion, packed with beauty. Large, red-rock monoliths towered over the trail as we wound through the back country. It was easy to get lost in our own world while exploring the natural formations. Just a note: The trailhead has restrooms and is a great place to stop and have lunch.
On the way out, we stopped at a ranger-recommended hiking spot: Northshore Summit Trail. It’s very short but led to some astonishing views atop a bluff—perfect for pondering life while viewing the desert stretch out for miles.
Solo Excursion
For a more ambitious hike, I chose the Prospect Trail to White Domes in Valley of Fire State Park. This was my first time solo hiking (Kippy was going to stay near the car), so I went into it totally prepared. I clipped a Garmin Tracker to my backpack, had water, sunscreen, a nice little hat, and my cellphone in case I came across service (spoiler alert: I didn’t). Total mileage was just shy of 5 miles.
The day started by leaving a very gusty Las Vegas behind. We weren’t sure if I would be able to hike since the wind was bonkers and the air was thick with dust. Not easily dissuaded, we drove the 46 miles east, hoping we could at least explore the park. Thankfully, the further we got from Vegas, the clearer the skies became.
After a quick stop at Atlatl Rock, Kippy dropped me off at the trailhead. The skies were clear, but there were still some serious gusts—I almost lost my hat a few times. The first half of the hike was an easy trail that led uphill toward the red sandstone. It eventually dropped down into a wash, which continued for the remainder. The ground quickly switched to soft gravel and sand, which slowed my pace. Whenever I was a little unsure of my path, I’d double check with the AllTrails app and continue onward. A few times, I had to scramble down rocks to continue forward, a first for me.
Being down in the wash made me feel so small; it was very humbling. Red cliffs towered above me as I skirted the range to the east. I could only imagine the geological processes that shaped the area and the stories the mountains could tell of the people who have visited for millenia. Time seemed infinite on this hike. It was easy to get lost in the awe and wonder of the sights I was privileged to experience.
The closer I got to White Domes, the trickier it became to walk on the gravel. I had to be careful to make sure I didn’t slip (which still happened a few times). I wandered through a slot canyon and climbed nearly 200 feet before meeting Kippy at the car.
Early Bird
Our last hike on this whirlwind of a trip was the Late Night Trailhead in the Cottonwood Valley Recreation Area of Red Rock Canyon. As many photographers do, Kippy and I woke up at 5 a.m. to catch the morning light. It was a crisp 41 degrees with some killer wind left over from the day before. Neither of us packed for such a cold morning, so we suffered a bit until the sun came over the horizon and the blood finally got pumping through our veins.
Watching the first light hit the Spring Mountains was magical. The mountains seemed to burn red as the world woke up. We lingered, capturing the sunrise and soaking it all in. We were surprised to get a small view of The Strip, too. Once the sun made its way high enough in the sky, the wind died down, and the hike was much more bearable.
One of the best parts about waking up early and hitting the trails is the seclusion it provides. Being immersed within nature with no other souls around is absolutely meditative.
More To Come
While these hikes barely scratch the surface of what southern Nevada has to offer, they leave plenty of opportunity to come back and explore more gorgeous landscapes, only found here. This is why hiking has become so important to me. Not only do these trails allow me to push my limits despite whatever nature throws my way, hiking gives me a way to contemplate and celebrate the raw beauty of the desert.