Charleston Peak, as it is officially known, has an elevation of 11,918 feet. Locals call it Mt. Charleston. It was originally named by John C. Fremont when he explored and mapped this area. The 'Charleston' is from Charleston, South Carolina, which was Fremont's' wife's hometown. For locals Mt. Charleston is one of the best 'getaway' places in the area.

In the summer, when it is over 100° in Las Vegas, it is usually only 80 degrees in the mountains. In the winter, the mountains offer Las Vegans a gentle reminder of what snow actually looks and feels like. To get there, take State Highway 95 north to Highway 157 at the Kyle Canyon cutoff. Then turn south into the mountains. As you drive into the mountains you will notice 2 things. It gets cooler and the environment around you changes from desert to forest.

Further up the mountain is the the Mount Charleston Restaurant and Lounge. This place has some really excellent food, a fireplace in the center of the restaurant and a great view of the valley and desert below. On weekends and holidays, there is a German polka band to provide atmosphere. This place is easy to find because it is at the very end of Highway 157, but the official address is 1 Oak Park Road. Their phone number if you want to contact them is (702) 386-6899.

Picnic Areas nearby
Cathedral Rock
Rest rooms, picnic tables and barbecue grills. It has 75 single family camping sites. Each vehicle for these has to pay a $3.00 fee.

Foxtail
Picnic tables, barbecue grills, open fire rings. It has one vault toilet.

Old Mill
Picnic tables, barbecue grills and five flush toilets. It also has horseshoe pits and a volleyball court. It has 61 single family sites and 13 double family sites. A fee of $3.00 per vehicle is charged for the use of these facilities.

Deer Creek
Picnic tables, barbecue grills and a single vault toilet. It has 7 single family sites for which there is no fee charged.

There are hundreds of homes scattered throughout the area. Please respect their privacy and try to avoid hiking around in their backyards. There are several places to stop for picnics, hikes or pictures. Many of the picnic areas offer rest rooms, tables and barbecue grills.