Overview

Harris Springs Road is a maintained backcountry road that runs south from Kyle Canyon Road (Highway 157) into the wild backcountry of Spring Mountains National Conservation Area along the east side of Harris Mountain. The road provides access to Harris Springs Ranch and to hiking and camping areas higher on Harris Mountain.

Harris Springs Ranch provides long-term residential substance abuse treatment for men. They prefer no interaction from the public, so please respect their no trespassing signs at the end of the public road.

Link to map.

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about driving in the desert, ...this is a fairly easy drive, but sometimes the washboards get pretty bad. Always watch for crazy drivers careening around blind corners.

The road is maintained, but the exact condition depends on the time since grading and the history of rain and flooding, but it should be suitable for a carefully driven sedan.

While out, please respect the land and the other people out there, and try to Leave No Trace of your passage. Also, even though this road is short, be sure to bring what you need of the 10 Essentials.

Getting to the Roadhead

This hike is located in lower Kyle Canyon, on the edge of the Spring Mountains National Conservation Area, about 30 minutes northwest of Las Vegas.

From town, drive north on Highway 95 to Kyle Canyon Road (Highway 157; Table 1, Site 0667). Turn left onto Kyle Canyon Road and drive west for 12.3 miles to Harris Springs Road (Site 0764), which is just past two paved and lighted "chain up" pullouts. Watch for a directional sign on the right side of the highway with an arrow pointing left.

The Road

From the pavement, turn left onto the infrequently graded Harris Springs Road and drive south as the road runs out across Kyle Canyon Wash. At the base of the hillside, Harris Springs Road turns left to climb the hillside, while a minor road (Site 1283) turns right and runs out to the Kyle Canyon Slots Trailhead.

Harris Springs Road cuts up and left across the hillside to climb out of the wash. Beyond the wash, the road generally runs south, passing several minor side roads as it winds around and runs over the hills. Through here, the main road always is obvious because it is graded, and the side roads are not. The side road provide access to numerous primitive campsites.

The road eventually drops into Harris Springs Wash at a fork in the road (Site 1278; 2.36 miles from the pavement). The graded road to the left runs down Harris Springs Wash and back to Kyle Canyon Road.

Continuing south (straight), Harris Springs Road passes a minor side road to the right and then passes Forest Road 45104 on the right (Site 0767; 3.31 miles out). This is Harris Mountain Road; watch for a carsonite sign reading "Forest Road 45104." Harris Mountain Road runs steep and narrow and leads to numerous primitive camping areas and Griffith Peak Trailhead.

Beyond Harris Mountain Road, Harris Springs Road continues south for another 1/2 mile. The public portion of Harris Springs Road ends at a gate with "no trespassing" signs. Beyond the gate, Harris Springs Ranch provides long-term residential substance abuse treatment for men. They prefer no interaction from the public, so please respect their privacy. I once walked into the ranch during a minor emergency and found the staff to be pleasant and helpful. Cell service is better these days, so it is unlikely that anyone would need to follow my example.

For photos of the return to the pavement, see Harris Springs Road - northbound.