What’s 11,916 feet tall, usually an average of 25 degrees cooler than sweltering downtown Vegas, and is located just 35 miles northwest of town? That’s right, it’s Mount Charleston! And from a few vantage points right there on the Las Vegas Strip you can catch a glimpse of this majestic, often snow covered peak calling out for you to take a break from the fancy clothes and fine dining and grab your hiking boots and trail mix.

From the top of Mt. Charleston you will be afforded stunning views of the surrounding landscape, from Las Vegas itself to the miles of scenic desert, foothills, and the Spring Mountain Range of which Mount Charleston is the tallest. Thanks to its more than 8,200 feet of prominence (the height of a mountain from base to summit, rather than its total height above sea level) Mt. Charleston is in fact the eighth most prominent peak in the continental United States!

Mount Charleston (which is actually named Charleston Peak but rarely called by its official name) is a beloved destination for avid mountaineers and casual day hikers alike. The areas boasts dozens of cleared picnic and camping sites and well-marked trails line much of the mountain and surrounding foothills. There are even a few ski slopes operating there in the winter (though you probably don’t want to bet the Olympic Games choosing the area anytime soon).

Perhaps the best thing about a visit to Mt. Charleston is the variety of ways you can enjoy your time there. From the aforementioned skiing at the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort and all the great hiking, there are also great trails for cyclists and there are myriad companies that offer horseback riding expeditions as well.