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    Black Mountain Trail

    4.8 (50 reviews)

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    Black Mountain summit
    Matt C.

    I didn't know I could review hiking trails so get ready - I've done quite a few locally. Black Mountain trail is excellent. The incline begins almost immediately, with some "stairs" carved into the rocks followed by switchbacks, a flat area I call the rock meadow with a split for another trail to Park Peak, and Fracture Ridge, the peak directly to the right of Black Mountain. It's the 404 trail, designated with trail markers. This trail is often mistaken for the paved road that runs parallel to it at the start. That is not the Black Mtn trail. The last 800 feet are the hardest, but just take your time, don't be afraid to stop frequently and you can make it to the summit. Up top you'll find a Nevada flag, a registry in an ammo box, and a small rock circle for some mild wind protection. The views are pretty amazing on clear days. You can either choose to go back down the way you came or if you're adventurous and fit, you can do some mild scrambling and follow the loop around counter-clockwise for a different view in the way down. A word of caution however. Even in great shape with 3 liters of water, this hike nearly killed me in June, the first time I tried it. It's best done from October to May, but if you absolutely can't wait, go on a milder day and go at dawn to avoid the majority of the heat.

    Wonderful views from a little higher up the trail.
    Andrew S.

    We're super lucky to have so many great hiking trails in Las Vegas, many with awesome views across the valley, and this is one is certainly no exception. Located in the Anthem area of Henderson, the main trail head (Shadow Canyon & Lewiston) starts by a very picturesque neighborhood, and can take a bit of finding at first, though it's usually obvious once you see other cars parked on the sides of the road. This is a moderate (to somewhat difficult right at the end) hike, with no place to shelter from the sun, so wear a hat and sunscreen and take plenty of water. Once through the gate, the first part is just a concrete path between houses and eases you in gently, a nice little walking trail in of itself. After a bit you reach a pretty rocky ascent up to the trail proper, at that point you go past a little brick building and the trail goes from there. It's not super obvious at first, it's a pretty narrow path, but easy enough to spot. This soon opens out into more obvious switch backs, and after a little bit you can look back over the valley for some initial great views. The switch backs are easy enough to follow, and for most of the hike (which is a round trip of about 7 miles if I recall) nothing too difficult for anyone with moderate hiking skill and there's some good stopping points for pictures or to sit and chill for a bit and enjoy the view on the way. The last part though is really quite challenging, the switch backs are smaller and the grade much steeper, and the final climb to the flag is something I've never even done despite getting close. Unfortunately I get vertigo, and I don't really like going from being upright to scrambling up rocks honestly. Definitely wear gloves and good hiking shoes if you plan to go the full way. Also be careful coming down, it's easy to get a good pace going and lose your footing. Overall though, it's an awesome hike and a great way to get outside for a few hours and enjoy some amazing views.

    And it begins..
    Steff A.

    This is a challenging hike that rewards you with an amazing view of Henderson and the Vegas Valley when you reach the top of the mountain.. I look at this trail as being broken down into 3 sections. Anthem East Trail to the Base: Starting with paved trails by the parking lot, you eventually get to the clearly marked 404 trails in the desert. Slight uphill grade but it's very user friendly at this point. Switchbacks at Base: As you start hiking towards the face of the mountain, you can feel the ascension and the switchbacks are now in play. The trails are still clearly marked and cleared out well. Face of the mountain: It starts getting steep and there's some scrambling that comes into play. Gloves might be helpful for some here but it's not completely necessary. There's some loose rock sections but if you take your time and are mindful of the trail ahead you'll be fine. When you can see the US Flag at the top, it appears you're going straight vertical at that point. But you know you're right at the top so you scramble up. The view at the top is fantastic and very rewarding for a pretty challenging hike. Great social media moments are a plenty here before you start heading down. The descent is much easier but challenging as you still have to check the trail and surroundings. This hike is around 7 miles and it's a blast. Everyone's definition of difficulty is different. Overall I'd rate it at 4/5 and I enjoyed every step of it. I'd suggest reading multiple reviews and analyzing the pictures so you get a better feel of what to expect. This is definitely a hike worth doing once and I'm pretty sure I'll be back. Be safe!

    View from the top
    Renee N.

    Hike much?? Hopefully you do! This trail is moderate to difficult at the end but used my friends trekking poles on the last half mile and down and these were a huge benefit to my climb both directions. A group of us were out here early on a Saturday morning. This very Black Mountain is located within Anthem in Green Valley. I was glad I was with friends as I have heard the trail head can be difficult to find. This was my friends fourth time up this mountain so they were super helpful on providing tips and information. We parked in a very small parking area off of Shadow Canyon Drive. So glad we came early, as there were very few people out there with us. Initially the hike is relatively easy, switchbacks up the mountain as you begin to gain altitude. Keep a lookout for the flag at the top. Once you see this then your goal is in sight. The switchbacks continue all the way till you reach the last half mile and then the fun begins! Lots of serious climbing here and scrambling, but with the trekking poles in my hands, it was not as hard as it could have been. Let me say though that one should be in good shape for this climb and of course wearing the appropriate footwear will help. I was so glad that I chose to wear my hiking boots versus trail shoes as lots of rock crevices that one could get stuck in otherwise. Once you are at the top, the views are breathtaking. You can see Boulder City, old Henderson, Green Valley, Lake Las Vegas, Sunrise/Frenchman's Mountain, Las Vegas Blvd, Mt. Charleston, Red Rock Canyon. The list goes on and on. I just stood up there and did a complete 360 and was mesmerized by the view. I wondered to myself why it took me so long to get up here. At the top there is a gorgeous American flag locked down, and a rock shelter to sit in to escape high winds should you encounter them. In addition, there is a small notebook to sign. We took some pictures/videos and enjoyed a snack. Surprisingly it was not too cold at the top like I expected. I would say total time took us about 2.5 hours to reach the top, but we did take our time and I personally hung back to conserve my energy for the last part of the hike and glad I did. Elevation gain is approximately 2063 feet and you will feel it. I recommend this hike for winter/fall/early spring. No shade what so ever and being in Henderson, it gets super hot out here during the summer. As with any hike, bring plenty of water, snacks and gloves if you don't have trekking poles. It will save your hands as you scramble. Most importantly, Leave No Trace.

    Trail entrance. Park on residential street
    Mary N.

    DIRECTIONS TO THE TOP/ FLAG: Simple steps to follow: 1) Enter Yelp address & park along residential road. Paved trail entrance after yellow gate 2) Walk along pavement for about .5 miles, you'll see huge stone stairs to your left- MAKE A RIGHT at the split. 3) At the top, look for a small, gray shed surrounded by copper posts. Walk behind the shed & you'll see trail markers 404 & 403. Follow the dirt path to the top of the mountain *** If you take 404, the trail splits about 1.5 miles in. Keep going straight-ish to stay on 404 or make a right to get to 402 trail*** - 4 hours roundtrip at moderate pace - Bring gloves - Bring a hat (no shade) - Wear hiking boots - Go down same way you went up Pictures with instructions added for your convenience! Good luck!

    At the top. Flag. The journal is in a box to the left
    LJ R.

    Located in the southern part of the city, Anthem area, Black Mountain offers an excellent hike with some amazing views of the valley. It is a must see and do. Different from the city lights that make up Las Vegas. The hike itself isn't to difficult. It is a few miles long and you're going up, it's a hike up a mountain. You park along Shadow Canyon Drive and walked along the paved Anthem East trail for about half a mile to small structure with a map and info about the trails in the area. Follow the dirt trail until you see the Black Mountain wooden sign and then follow the trail to the top or whenever you feel like turning back. Most of the hike is a gradual incline except for the last part at the top where you're stepping and climbing up, over, and around boulders. Nothing to hard if you can go up and down stairs you'll be fine. The hike offers pretty much no shade or coverage from the elements. If the wind is blowing from the other side of the mountain than you're fine. Obviously you probably don't want to do the hike in the middle of day in the middle of summer on a 110 degree day. I mean I'd probably do it but thats me.Just bring water, snacks, and usual things to keep you comfortable during a hike. Don't rely on my info about the time it takes. All I can say is it took us like 5 hrs, longer than about 3 hrs I've been hearing it should take, because we really took our time, many breaks, and many pictures. It was a really nice day outside, the day after Black Friday. Oh yeah and someone passed out at the top for an hr. At the top there is the US flag flying high, a pile of rocks forming a small wall, a box with random things and a notebook to sign. Personally, I don't think the hike is challenging enough to have a notebook to sign. Amazing view of it all. You can see Boulder City, Henderson, Anthem, south of the valley, the Strip, and the rest of Vegas Valley. All these years living in Vegas I have always wanted to hike Black Montain. Now that thats been done I really want to hike those mountain SW of the city. I need help finding some trails.

    Stefany V.

    Did this hike on Memorial Day morning- and surprisingly, it wasn't busy. Located inside of a neighborhood, the trailhead is in an unexpected place but easy to find. GPS the business address listed on the page then keep driving down the street til you see the small parking lot and/or cars paralleled on the curb. Park and follow signs, then head up. My PHP (Preferred Hiking Partner) has done this trail before as a night hike, but I can't imagine being comfortable doing this with limited visibility- trail itself is clear but there are lots of rocks to navigate around, particularly the last quarter mile or so where it gets particularly steep. In any case, the daytime views of the skyline are gorgeous from the get-go and only get better the higher you go. Took us between 3 and 4 hours including a 15 minute break at the top- about 90 minutes up and a lot of slipping and tripping on the way down for me. As in other reviews, I recommend gloves if you have them and a hat- there's no shade whatsoever. Not sure I'd call this trail pet-friendly but we did see a midsize dog able to navigate all the way to the top without issues.

    Sarah C.

    Great hike today. Stats: Distance: 7.5 miles round trip Difficulty: 4 out of 5 (for most people) Time: 4.5 hours (maximum) Elevation Gain: 2100 feet Elevation at Peak: 5092 feet Danger: 2 out of 5 (all trail but easy to slip due to loose rocks) * DIFFICULTY: Moderate-Strenuous (depending on fitness level) * TRAILHEAD: Shadow Canyon Trailhead  Black Mountain is nestled within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Nevada. It is the highest point of the northern McCullough Range.  At the top, is a sweeping views of Arizona, the Red Rock Canyon, Spirit Mountain and the Muddy Mountains. It is an extremely challenging cardio hike. It's up and back so you don't have to go all the way to the top as the scenery is great everywhere. The trail is clean.

    Black Mountain Trail sign
    Bernice P.

    This was a very fun and rewarding hike and fairly easy to get to! We parked along Shadow Canyon drive and the hike begins on Anthem East Trails. There were quite a few cars parked so it was pretty easy for us to find. From here it's a well paved trail, but lookout for when it says 404 trails! We made a mistake and went the wrong way for quite a while! Oops! Afterwards it's pretty straightforward, you follow the path until you reach the top and see an American flag. The view at the top is beautiful and you can see across the Las Vegas valley. The hike is approximately 7 miles round trip and it took us around 4 hours to complete. We also underestimated the Vegas heat and didn't start hiking until 11 am so I recommend going in the morning! Make sure to bring plenty of water and a positive attitude! Black Mountain is definitely worth hiking! (:

    A shot showing the Las Vegas strip over some of the homes in anthem.
    John D.

    This is a great hike. There are so many great hiking trails on the west side and Eastside. I like this particular trail since it's progressively more difficult but overall I would say this is a moderate trail until you get to the very top. It's wide-open easy to see where you're going and for the most part few chances of rolling your ankle on a rock. As you climb up and get higher the views of the Las Vegas strip are unobstructed and you can see from Southpoint to above the stratosphere. It is truly an amazing vista to take in. I also consider this a great walk and talk trail. Enjoy.

    Charlie saluting the flag!
    Stacy E.

    I have been wanting to do this hike since last year but I couldn't find the trail. Well this year I was determined! There are two different trail heads...I actually did the unofficial trail behind the water towers. That side was not easy but was very pretty. Made it to the top of Black mountain and realized there is another trail head that was much easier. Slippery coming down and I would highly suggest warring hiking boots. If I would have know how slippery it was I would have worn my hiking boots. From the water tower to the top and back down was 8.9 miles. I think the people said that if I would of come up the trail head and back down it would have been 6.9. All in all a great experience and a good trail for a dog hike!

    A Gambel's quail I saw yesterday off the trail.
    Norm K.

    This is an outstanding hike. I first did the hike in January 2007, and I decided to give it a go yesterday, March 20, 2014. The trail has changed somewhat with the addition of some switchbacks that weren't there in the past. The final ascent is also a bit easier. It took me two hours to reach the summit. My GPS shows I was moving 1 hour and 39 minutes which means I was taking photos or I was stopping to get my breathing back in line. Daniel's review has a great description. The only thing I can add is the photo showing the dirt trail that you have to take to the back side of the retention basin to get to the Sloan Canyon NCA signs and the Black Mountain trailhead sign. If you cross the spillway of the retention basin, you haven't gone far enough. The way back was much easier for me because I find coming downhill easier. I wear hiking boots with good tread and I tend to dig in better. One of the new views from the summit is to look to the south and see the three towers to the newly opened Ivanpah Solar Electric project. You can see the gleam off the towers along the trail when you get enough altitude. You can see all three well from the summit. Take a look at the solar plants in the Eldorado Valley also. The views from the top are great. Happy hiking!

    The craziest post sunset I've ever seen.
    B H.

    Parking is... well there's multiple places to park. We parked in a neighborhood. Hike is somewhat boring til you get to the Joshua trees. The view from the top is ridiculous. Wish we had more time to do a sunrise hike. We did a sunset hike and... well... see my pic.

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    6 months ago

    Great trail, easy to follow. No water at trailhead. The view from the top is amazing and the last 1/2 mile is pretty challenging.

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    Awesome place to hike! Great views of the Vegas strip. Good to get out and enjoy some fresh air and nature!

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Black Mountain Trail

    Where's the flag? How far is it from the small parking lot area?

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    Review Highlights - Black Mountain Trail

    Definitely a great local spot if you live in the Anthem area or in the Southwest side of Las Vegas.

    Mentioned in 8 reviews

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    Anthem East Trail - Made it over the first mountain!

    Anthem East Trail

    4.5(21 reviews)
    3.7 mi

    This is a favorite trail of mine. It's a paved walking path for a good first leg and then gets a…read morelittle rough, depending on how far up you go. It has a gradual incline which can be a pleasant challenge for some. During the hotter months it can be a bit of a punishing experience as there's no shade or trees, so just be aware. This trail is in proximity to a baseball field (fly balls should be considered if you intend to park your car at the trail head base) and a large park which is busy most times I've visited. The trail itself is not as busy, though, which is pleasant. Something else that is pleasant are the lovely panoramic views of Henderson and the Vegas Valley. This trail is for sure worth visiting.

    Currently training for a 5k race that's coming up next month and I decided to hit up Anthem East…read moreTrail over by Del Webb Middle School. I've hiked this trail a couple times before with my fam and it's been a long time since I've been back. The weather is finally cool enough for me to take walks outside again and I like that. With the record breaking heat that we had over the summer, it was just too hot to go for a walk outside. My favorite part about hiking these trails is that I get to enjoy the amazing views of the mountains, The Strip, and all other parts of the Las Vegas valley while I get my steps in. Dogs can tag along with you, but be aware that coyotes and rattlesnakes are very active along this trail. Also be sure to carry plenty of water and fully charged phone just in case. I hiked solo and didn't want to go way far out on the trail, so I just stayed where I could see all the views of the city. But I managed to reach my goal of 3.5 miles!

    Photos
    Anthem East Trail - Interesting OREO rocks all around!

    Interesting OREO rocks all around!

    Anthem East Trail - Mountain views

    Mountain views

    Anthem East Trail - Looking out southwest over the valley from about 2km into the walk.

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    Looking out southwest over the valley from about 2km into the walk.

    Shoreline Trail - One of the cool rock formations on the hike

    Shoreline Trail

    4.5(4 reviews)
    17.1 mi

    I hike part of the Shoreline Trail several times each winter when the temperatures permit. The…read moreShoreline Trail stretches from the former Las Vegas Bay boat launch area to the 3 Islands Overlook at 33 Hole about 2 miles south. When I hike this trail, it's because I'm hiking through what's known as White Owl Canyon and after going through some pipes to get to the old road, I return to the car by joining the Shoreline Trail about a mile from the parking area for 33 Hole and the 3 Islands Lookout. Some volunteers have done some nice work over the last couple of years by placing boulders along the trail so one knows where to go. This section has changed over the 7 years or so that I've been hiking the trail. The boulders work now because the level of the lake has fallen so much there's little danger that the trail will be covered by water and the rocks become useless. In fact, it has been very discouraging to watch the level of the lake drop so much that you now have to leave the trail to get to the edge of a stream that was once the lake. It is nice to see the water fowl and it's a pleasant hike when temperatures permit.

    YELP 365 CHALLENGE 2014-(313/365) "A Hiking We Will Go! "…read more Any time there's a chance to explore the outdoors, it's an automatic 5 stars for me. Add to that, a bunch of great people and our resident hike expert Norm leading the pack, you got yourself one heck of an excursion! There were 10 of us on this chilly morning and it was my first time inside the Lake Mead Area. The views here are so breathtaking, pictures and reviews don't do any justice...you gotta get out there and experience this yourself! This hike is about 3 miles and involves different elevations, a bit of rock scrambling, going through a few tunnels and a brief time inside owl canyon where we saw great rock formations, and even an owl who was guarding his/her huge nest nearby. there were also tons of clam shells scattered around and old Budweiser and Coors cans from the peel tab era. There also was a random wood frame kinda thing during our hike which made all of us clueless as to why anything was being constructed. After a short walk on the paved road way, we looped around and began the trek back to our cars along the rock formed trail taking in the awesome scenery and a last scramble up the same hill we first went down back to the parking lot. Thanks again Norm for another great hike, and we'll join you on the trail once again for your next hike! ALOHA!!! Shaka Meter: \uuu/ \uuu/ \uuu/ \uuu/ \uuu/ 5

    Photos
    Shoreline Trail - Inside the Tunnel. Up ahead .... Norm, Terri & Mel

    Inside the Tunnel. Up ahead .... Norm, Terri & Mel

    Shoreline Trail - Great short hike

    Great short hike

    Shoreline Trail

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    Inspirada Overlook - Good morning!!

    Inspirada Overlook

    4.8(4 reviews)
    3.8 mi

    The overlook at Inspirada is a great place to just pull up, park and hang out for a bit. The…read morepurpose of my visit today was just to enjoy the view of the closely located valley and homes below and the much further in the distance Las Vegas strip/skyline and have lunch with my girl. The area is spectacularly clean. It was nice and quiet and overall very enjoyable. The Inspirada community is located in the southeastern part of the Las Vegas Valley within the city of Henderson, Nevada. It is a master-planned community situated in the southern part of the valley, offering a suburban lifestyle while still being close to the amenities of the larger Las Vegas area. Key Details City: Henderson, NV Region: Southeast Las Vegas Valley Proximity: Close to the I-15 freeway and the St. Rose Parkway, giving easy access to the Las Vegas Strip. Characteristics: Known for its parks, trails, schools, and community-focused atmosphere.

    I saw this gem of a place as I was leaving a hangout with a friend last night. I love the views at…read morenight are so dreamy with the lights. It has a little paved out concrete trail to walk your dog or stroll through yourself as well as a patch of grass you can lay on. There's also a parking lot if you prefer to stay in your car and play music while you take in the views.

    Photos
    Inspirada Overlook
    Inspirada Overlook - As this zoomed-in photo shows, the Inspirada Overlook also overlooks the Las Vegas Strip.

    As this zoomed-in photo shows, the Inspirada Overlook also overlooks the Las Vegas Strip.

    Inspirada Overlook - In early February 2025, I took in this southeast mountain view on my 5th Yelp check-in here.

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    In early February 2025, I took in this southeast mountain view on my 5th Yelp check-in here.

    Black Mountain Trail - hiking - Updated May 2026

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