Amazing place and the falls is surreal. There's no signs explaining where the falls are at so my advice is park in the lower parking of cathedral trail and look for the no parking sign walk just past it and that's the trail after a ten minute walk you will come to a sign that says little falls .02 miles away. Just follow the waterline pipe it will take you directly to the falls. Note there is a short uphill hike My advice is that you take short breaks on your way up if it's your first time going. The hike is definitely worth the sights read more

See all

What a great trail. Very doable for a beginner. Such a beautiful trail and fresh crisp air. My favorite hike, perfect distance

Easy hike for kids! I wish there were better signs to indicate where the trail was. We had to ask a few people and had a few people ask us about it. Otherwise, beautiful place! read more

I workout, but this hike kicked my butt! It's such a short easy hike but the elevation really got to me as most hikes up a mountain do especially having asthma. Besides that it's beautiful, refreshing, and takes you to a hidden piece of heaven. I love chasing waterfalls and when I went there was quite a bit of water which made me happy. This is a kid friendly and dog friendly hike. Like I said it's very easy and a short walk it's just the elevation that hard. When you get to the small canyon where the falls is it literally takes your breath away. The vegetation changes and I noticed all these beautiful yellow birds hanging around. If you are an avid bird watcher this is the place for you. The birds are friendly and practical fly right next to you. Tip! Park at Lower Cathedral Rock and go to the trailhead on the right. It's a short walk and then you will see the sign for Little falls. read more

See all

I did not make it to the falls :( I'm just going to throw that out there. I under estimated how thin the air is up near Mt. Charleston compared to our lower lying desert community. I also under estimated how steep the trails really are. It started out steep from where I began at Cathedral Rock Trailhead. There are a lot of former trees lying on the ground all over the place. They are all mostly off the trail and even sort of frame it. There is a lot of gravel too. Gravel that makes a somewhat sketchy ascent and descent. I seemed to do alright heading up hill but found myself slipping on the down. However, I was exerting an awful lot of energy headed up and found myself gasping for air. I made it far though. At least far for me. I was well past the sign that read "Little Falls Junction .5 miles." I think I made it to the Little Falls Trailhead but I'm not sure how far up I was on it. I was getting tired, winded, shaky and uncertain of my stamina. I was afraid if I went further up the daunting incline that I would not make it back. I decided to turn around and head back the way I came. That meant another daunting ascent which I had only moments ago come down. I stopped a few times to sit on rocks and logs to catch my breath. After a few minutes of pushing myself to continue I made it back to the parking lot and almost fell into my car. I sat for a few minutes to take in the natural splender of the mountains and sip on some water. Then it was time to head home. I am disappointed I could not make the hike in its entirety. I am an over weight asthmatic who is trying to get into better shape. This was tough for me. I am proud for getting out there. One day I'll be able to push myself further. I just have to keep trying. The Mt. Charleston area is worth exploring. read more

See all

Since the U.S. Forest Service has done a lot of improvements at the Cathedral Rock/South Loop Trail parking area which was also the trailhead for Little Falls, the new, PROPER way to get to Little Falls is this. Drive up Kyle Canyon Road, SR 157. When you get to the last curve in the road DO NOT take it. Rather, go straight ahead on Echo Road the way you'd go to Mary Jane Falls. In a tenth of a mile, you'll turn to your left into the Echo Trailhead. There is enough parking here for plenty of cars. From the northwest area of the parking lot, the trail goes to the base of a hill and then makes a left and you start your ascent. Part of this first part can be a chest buster, but if you take your time and/or stop for some breaks to catch your breath, you'll make it. When you get near the top of this first area, do not follow what appears to be a road/trail going off to the right. Follow the trail sign to the left and you'll come to the Little Falls trail. When you connect with the Little Falls Trail, make a right and follow it up the canyon until you're at Little Falls. Unfortunately, with our very dry winter, there is no water coming down at Little Falls this spring. It's still a nice hike. read more

This review is a report on my July 23 experience hiking the Little Falls Trail. In this review I share both good news and bad news on the Little Falls Trail. The bad news is that they ghettoized paradise with a graffiti infestation. The good news is that Little Falls is an operating waterfall in a forest that takes little effort to reach. This review is separated by two sections: Bad News and Good News: The Bad News: I want to get the bad news out of the way and leave more room for the good news. To put it bluntly a few rotten to the core lowlifes ravaged what had been a beautiful box canyon with graffiti. Bordering a beautiful waterfall is the graffiti you will find in the back of a supermarket. What really riles my feathers is that this graffiti has stained the box Canyon as far back as July 2007 and the US Forest Service has failed to do something. Since that time I am on my third automobile lease. Additionally somebody write "F (bomb) nature" on a log. This graffiti is so disgusting that Dr. Jim Boone wrote in www.birdandhike.com: "The falls are badly covered with graffiti; please respect this area, don't add new graffiti, and report any criminal activity seen. Note that I removed graffiti from the photos because I refuse to give these a**#oles a forum." The Good News: Fortunately, I have more good news that bad news. To start it off, Little Falls Trail is an easy and short hike in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area that leads to a waterfall. In my opinion the waterfall is equally as scenic as the nearby Mary Jane Falls. There are two trailheads serving Little Falls. They are Cathedral Rock and Echo Trailhead. My trailhead of choice is Cathedral Rock. The reason is that the parking lot is paved where two sections feature adequate spaces. Here I don't have to worry about rocks and dirt. The parking lot is off of Lee Canyon Road where it ends by the lodge. The quickest way to reach the waterfall is to park in the upper level. To the right of the restroom is a trail that climbs up a forested hill. After a couple of perpendicular logs it merges with the Echo Trail. I parked in lower parking lot (where the rest rooms have running water) that extended my hike. Immediately the hike climbs a forested Hill on a trail overlapping the Cathedral Rock Trail. After a switchback, the Cathedral Rock Trail forks to the left. For nearly a mile, I followed the shady and windy Echo Trail. The pine trees provided shade under temperatures 20 degrees cooler than Vegas. In the shadow of the pine trees were several deceased trees. Echo Trail passes by an avalanche chute. During the winter snow careens down from the mountain, taking the trees in its path. The logs make for a nice place to sit in solitude. To the left are mesmerizing vistas of Cathedral Rock. To the distant right below are the parking lot and Kyle Canyon Road. After approaching the trail feeding in from the upper trailhead there is a pipe that originates from Little Falls. Soon there are a couple of rocks in the trail at a junction. Echo Trail turns right. Little Falls is a short distance straight. In a few feet the sound of the waterfall led me toward the box Canyon where alpine trees, wildflowers, and shrubs replaced the pine forest. Inside the box canyon is the falls. In July the two tiers of the waterfall were running where Mary Jane Falls was a trickle. I sat on a log for a few minutes focusing on the waterfall. For a few minutes a hummingbird kept me company. I got more good news. You can hike this trail with Mary Jane Falls to take in 2 water Falls on 1hike. That is what I did. Walking back, I made a left at the two rocks onto Echo Trail toward Echo Trailhead. Near Echo Trailhead it changed into a wash that in around a mile and 40 minutes delivered me to the Mary Jane Falls parking lot. read more

Great hike & really enjoyed the falls. Warning: even when it's 100+ in Vegas & you're lucky enough to hike when the falls are going strong - that water is melted snow & wearing hiking sandals means your feet are going to be COOOOLLLLDDDD. Waterproof hiking boots would be a better choice. Graffiti was saddening but the rest is a wonderful enjoyment of nature, especially when out of cell service range. read more

I love the outdoors. Fairly easy hike so for those looking for something more challenging, keep looking. Great area to get away from life and just decompress. Not too many people out so I felt like I was the "King of the Mountain!" But seriously, pack a lunch, take a drive up the 95 - follow the signs to Mt Charleston, take the right after the lodge - park and enjoy nature! read more

Since the weather forecast had the temperature over 100 in Vegas, we decided to drive up Mount Charleston for a little reprieve from the heat. I've just heard about little falls from some fellow hikers just this past week, so we decided to give it a try. Easy to find once you know what your looking for with parking and toilets at trailhead. Paper signs mark the trail. Tall trees surround you and the smell of pine thickens the air. You'll feel the ascent, but it's not a long hike so the reward comes quickly. Piles of snow still clung to the edges of the trail near the top, where the water begins to flow on the trail itself. We had no idea to get to the falls we'd have to slop through the water, or we would've worn different shoes...oh well. Our soaked shoes were worth it, the cold falls were refreshing, no other hikers were at the top so we hung out for a bit and enjoyed the cool air. Not much room to sit, a few dry rocks at the wall of the canyon, trail is slippery so be careful. Lots of graffiti spoils the rock wall scenery near the falls. Please be kind and take your trash with you, we filled a grocery bag on the way down with trash we found on the trail. read more

See all

Good hike to do with little ones. My 3 year old loved it! There's a small water Fall at the end and the temp is about 20-30 degrees cooler than Vegas. read more

Almost died today, but highly recommend. I'm sure more seasoned hikers will snort at that seeing as this is a tiny hike, but don't underestimate nature. This is a higher elevation and for some it does make them feel lightheaded on any of the trails here. I didn't get enough oxygen and started to feel like I may black out. Sit down, put your head down, drink a little water, maybe eat something salty or sweet if you start getting nauseous. Happened to me, it can happen to you. Anyways, this hike shares it's trailhead by Cathedral Rock and is right by the Lodge/restaurant for a convenient after stop. Currently the trailhead area is getting a beautification so area is closed off. To get on the trail we went towards the right by the house and went up that hill and you'll find a rock bridge over the fallen avalanched trees to the trail for little falls and for cathedral. I don't know how long it'll be under construction but keep that in mind in the upcoming months. Little Falls itself is a mile long straight up hike. It is incline the whole way and is a nice view up at top by the falls. It's more a drip, than waterfall, but nice up there anyways. Unfortunately, people have tagged on the rock walls ruining it a bit. There was a little bit of snow still left up by the falls, otherwise, there is none right now. It's a easy descent back down. This is something you could do quickly if you're seasoned and can even add to hiking before/after Cathedral. read more

Our drive up to Little Falls on Mt. Charleston was the absolute highlight of my recent Vegas vacation. My husband kept insisting we weren't in Vegas anymore but it's true...and we saw signs for skiing so there really must be snow in the winter...blows my mind!! And, I must admit, makes me jealous. We have no retreats from the heat like this in Florida...this was like a Narnia novel...like stepping into another world. It was pouring rain when we left but I did not care...even if we only got to drive up it was worth it to me. We got so lucky...the rain brought out the smell of the trees and it was heavenly...like Christmas. It stopped raining just as we got to Little Falls and the temperature was sublime...I was actually chilly...in August...in Vegas!!!!! :) I took many, many photos on our walk and then on our drive and it's just impossible to take a bad shot up there. We plan to go to Vegas again next year but this time I am planning on packing a picnic lunch and spending the entire day. Can not wait! As for the details (which I love and appreciate finding on Yelp): as noted there are steps in the parking area and "rest rooms". I recommend stopping at the Visitor Center on your way up (right on your way and not too far from Little Falls and Mary Jane Falls) as they have some nice maps, information, and even gift shop items. A portion of the profits goes towards wildlife preservation so it's almost guilt free shopping. :) And there are restrooms here as well. If you decide to go further up the mountain, there are numerous outlooks where you can safely pull over, park, and take some glorious photos. And speaking of photos, the ones on here and the ones that I plan to upload DO NOT do this area justice. If you have to beg, borrow, or steal...do what you must but find a way to visit this magnificent place...you really won't be sorry and might even be tempted to move there as I was. Ah, to dream. :) read more

See all

Great little hike. Dog had a blast! Waterfall was going pretty hard went in early June.

Fun fairly easy hike. The falls are pretty self descriptive as being little. The end of the hike is a little anti climactic but overall it's still a decent path with pretty views along the way. read more

As I mention in all my reviews about hike and nature , this is no different . We love hiking and my 15 month old is becoming an expert at this. He loves nature as much as we do. There is nothing to hate about this awesome place. Not all Vegas is desert , so if you are visiting Vegas , get away from city and come and enjoy nature at its full . read more

It's finally open! went there yesterday 7/14/15 , cardio exercise was what we got! Even if there wasn't any falls (not time of the year) , the short but sweet heart pumping hike was worth it. Too short thou so we continued on to the Echo Trail which was already open as well.. Definitely a good combo..the wonderful weather was a bonus! PS. 1. the junction between Little Falls and Echo trail had no label, hopefully somebody will put the respective names since the moment we reached the TH, visitors asked me for the direction PS. 2. it has the same TH with Cathedral Rock trail. read more