The area known as Mount Charleston is made up of the 316,000-acre Sping Mountains National Recreation Area which is part of the Toiyabe National Forest. The mountains contain an astonishing variety of plant and animal species, many that are found nowhere else. Inside the national forest, the desert gradually changes into joshua and yucca forests and then onto juniper, mountain mahogany, aspen, ponderosa pine and bristlecone pine forests. The highest point in the Spring Mountains is Charleston Peak, which looms at 11,918, making it the third highest peak in Nevada. The area is located approximately 35 miles northwest of
Las Vegas and can be accessed by traveling north on Interstate 95. There are many hiking trails and campgrounds throughout the area.
