SUMMER SEASON STARTS FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021
The start of Lee Canyon‘s summer season is Friday, May 28, 2021. Hours Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Just in time for Memorial Day weekend, the date is also significant because it marks the first time in Lee Canyon’s nearly 60-year history that it has hosted four seasons of managed recreation opportunities.
Outdoor recreation participation is at an all-time high, and Lee Canyon has been answering the demand of locals for more time to adventure and destress in the Spring Mountains.
“The statistics and assumptions recently reported by the Outdoor Industry Association reflect what we’re experiencing at Lee Canyon. Many new people are joining the ranks of outdoor enthusiasts,” says Jim Seely, Lee Canyon’s director of marketing. “The feedback we receive is people not only appreciate but rely on time in nature to manage stress. This has inspired Lee Canyon to create offerings for each season.”
The OIA reports that in 2020, 8.1 million more people in the U.S. went hiking. In Las Vegas, bike retailers report selling through a year’s worth of inventory in three months. Since Lee Canyon doubles as a starting point for the Bristlecone Trail, it’s a popular spot for hikers and mountain bikers, and many take advantage of Lee Canyon’s Hillside Lodge after hiking or riding. Others venture to the resort in the summer for things like scenic chairlift rides and disc golf.
Cool mountain breezes roll off Lee Peak, elevation 11, 289 feet, leaving Lee Canyon’s trails and base area (8,510 feet) up to 25 degrees cooler than Las Vegas. In the thick of summer, this temperature change can feel extreme and inviting. Yet, it’s the transformation of the landscape that takes most people by surprise.
From Las Vegas, guests travel through several ecozones. In fact, the drive from Las Vegas, elevation 2,001 feet, to Lee Canyon has been compared to driving from Mexico to Alaska. But this drive takes less than an hour from most points in the valley.
A full schedule of summer activities is below and at www.leecanyonlv.com. The summer season at Lee Canyon runs through Labor Day. Parking is free and first-come, first-served. Lee Canyon is dog-friendly; however, dogs must be kept on a leash. Summer activities include:
ARCHERY
Archery has been around since the 16th century, but when movies like The Hunger Games hit the screen, it skyrocketed in popularity. In 2017, Lee Canyon added archery lanes to its lineup of summer activities. With an instructor alongside the guest, during a 30-minute session, people can test their aim using Lee Canyon’s recreational bow and arrows. Lee Canyon provides all gear; personal archery equipment is not allowed.
Cost: $19 per person
Age: 9-years-old and up
DISC GOLF COURSE
Lee Canyon’s 18-hole disc golf course, rated No. 1 in the Las Vegas Valley, takes players up to 9,300 feet. The adventure begins at the base on Rabbit Peak then up the Sherwood lift. There are maps and disc rentals available at Lee Canyon Sports in Hillside Lodge. Sturdy footwear is recommended.
Rental packages: $19 for adults, $14 for children (age 12 and younger)
Disc golf season pass: $50
HIKE & DINE
Hikers on the nearby Bristlecone Trail love a post-hike lunch or après-hike cocktail on the deck at Lee Canyon. The Bristlecone Trail offers hikers three options; the Upper Bristlecone is roughly 6.3-miles round-trip and the Lower Bristlecone’s 5.5-mile out-and-back experience. For families with little ones or folks who want a short walk, the nature loop is about a mile.
The 10,000 square foot Hillside Lodge offers a modern feel with indoor and outdoor spaces providing sweeping views of the mountain landscape. Other base-area dining options include The Brewin Burro coffee shop inside Hillside Lodge and the Bighorn Grill restaurant. Please note that during the summer season, Hillside’s Bristlecone Bar is only for private events.
SCENIC CHAIRLIFT RIDES
Chairlifts treat guests to bird’s eye views of the mountain. During the summer, the Sherwood chairlift whisks visitors from the base area for a ride above the trees to an elevation of 9,310 feet. Chairlift riders can opt for a round-trip experience or exit the chairlift and hike down to the base area.
Cost: $8 for adults
$5 for children up to age 12
Winter pass holders get one complimentary chairlift ride per day by showing their season pass.
MINI SKATE RAMP
The “mini” skate ramp draws people of all ages and ability levels. It is the perfect place for kids and adults to learn, and during the heat of the summer, seasoned skateboarders love skating in the cooler temperatures. Located in the base area, there is no charge to use the skate ramp though skaters must bring their equipment.
