Whitney Mesa Recreation Area

Good walking trails, you can spend anywhere from 45 minutes to several hours hiking around the mesa.

There’s slight elevation gain but nothing too bad even if you’re not in the best shape. To me, the new housing developments kind of throw off the nature feel to the walk/​jog… a few years ago it was all desert outside of the trail and now it seems as if everything bloomed overnight. On the trail, there were a few empty bottles and a dozen clumps or dog droppings which kind of irked me.
Decent walk/​running trail, views could be a tad better. this morning I explored and it looks like there are more (tougher) routes to get to some of the canyons which would probably make it more exciting. I started my walk at 5am before the sun came up and it was pretty nice watching the sun rise, trail is 1.25 miles long and depending on how early you start, you will see some lovely wildlife.

This is an awesome walking/​running trail. The trailhead is just off of Sunset– they recently expanded, so there’s significantly more parking now, which is nice. There’s plenty of signage & information about the area posted along the trail. The trail starts with a steady incline and then remains fairly level for the duration, once you reach the top of the Mesa.
It’s a great place for an easy stroll or run, and a great place to take the dogs. The trail is about 2.5 miles. Great views from up top, looking out over the East side of the valley. Be careful in the summer especially, there isn’t any shade once you’re up on the Mesa. Definitely best to go early morning or late evening. There are several lookout points along the trail with seating. A great spot to get away from the craziness of Vegas without going too far!

Nice desert trail with great views, however, the high trail has absolutely no shade. Be prepared for this on very hot days during the summer. Being in an urban area, a homeless man was hanging around the creek and I also noticed an area by the creek with lots of objects collected by the homeless. The trail has a few bench sitting areas (no shade) and I believe it is 1.25 miles one way, therefore is 2.5 miles total round trip. I don’t recommend this trail on very hot days because it is somewhat remote and doesn’t have any access to shade or water. Probably would be great during the winter though.

A delightful place to jog or relax. its a nice scenic gem in the middle of the bustle of Henderson. its nothing spectacular compared to some of the larger elevated recreation areas nearby but its an unexpected lovely little scenic area for quick hiking /​jogging. Its got a couple of nice play areas for the kids as well as a skate park.

This loop trail is conveniently close to me and my side of town yet I’m asking myself while writing this review why I don’t come here more often. I used to come here a lot more and I don’t know why I stopped but that’s a different story. There’s a small descend up the trailhead a little uphill at first but from there’s its smooth sailing. The trailhead is a brisk and easy 2.5 miles. I got addicted to coming here pre sunset and watching the sky turn colors and enjoying the picturesque views atop the trailhead. Definitely a place I will always enjoy coming to.

This hidden gem in henderson doesn’t look like much when you drive past but it is a nice trail in an unexpected area. Definately a beginner trail with a little uphill climb and it is pet friendly (on a leash of coarse) this area has some amazing views and at sunrise offers an postcard type of view on most days. It looks like more trails may be added to an already nice walking area.

Oh what a view, will be the words you utter once you reach the top of the mesa. Looking at Whitney Mesa quickly, there is nothing special or flashy about it. I used to unknowingly pass it all the time while driving up Sunset. A little parking lot is where you start your venture. The rocky path gradually ascends and snakes it’s way up the mesa. There used to be a wash and little pond, but unfortunately housing developments swallowed up that little piece of nature. It’s not a very strenuous trek up before you know it, the path plateaus and your’e at the top of the mesa. The first thing you see when you reach the top is a little park bench and cemented rest/​lookout area. From there you can see a beautiful panorama of the city of Henderson. The mesa stretches out for quite a long way, you can continue along it and enjoy more beautiful views from the top.

Roughly 2.5 mile total loop. A little uphill at first, but the views at the top are worth the hike.
This location is beautiful. My reason for giving a 4 star review is because not everyone keeps a leash on their dogs. An incident occurred where a dog owner had no control over his very large dog. The dog came at us and my super brave man kept me behind him and as a result of the dog owner not being in control of his unleashed dog, my beloved suffered an injury.
The parking area off of Sunset Road is very small; less than ten spots, usually taken in the afternoon hours. There is additional parking by the Whitney Rec Center off of Whitney Ranch Dr, there your hike to the top will be extra dusty, but worth it either way.
It’s a great place to get a run in because the scenery is so nice, you can easily get lost in the peaceful surroundings.
Enjoy.

My name is Daniel. S. Today the «S» stands for sharing. I want to share with you the newest park to open in the City of Henderson. It is Whitney Mesa Recreation Area.
The Whitney Mesa Recreation Area does not give the most remarkable first impression. It is located off a high traffic segment of Sunset Road in the Henderson commercial corridor. The parking lot blends in with a 7-​Eleven and Fresh & Easy. The Whitney Mesa Recreation Area exceeded my first impression.
Part of the reason that Whitney Mesa Recreation Area gets a poor first impression is that the parking lot is very cramped. The spaces are few and the parking stalls small.
A few feet from leaving the parking lot, the excitement builds. There is a warning sign letting the hiker be aware that this is a snake habitat. That is kind of interesting since 7-​Eleven and Jack In The Box is nearby. A little further, the trail crosses a stream adorned with palm trees. To the left is a bluff with an apartment complex and wetlands to the right.
As the trail progresses further into the preserve, to the right is a large lot that will be a housing development. Some hikers would say that this will spoil the hike. The reality is that Whitney Mesa Recreation Area is an island of nature in Henderson. In a few feet the development is seen from a birds eye perspective as the trail gains elevation up a mesa.
After the elevation climb, the trail develops into a mile long overlook featuring the City of Henderson spread like a carpet below toward Black Mountain and the River Mountains, and North Las Vegas spread like a carpet to French Mountain. There are three major overlooks. The south overlook affords outstanding views of Black Mountain, Sunset Station, Green Valley, and Railroad Pass. The central overlook affords outstanding views of the Galleria Mall, the vicinity of the future water park, Desert Wetlands Park, and the River Mountains. The north view, which is just south of Patrick Street affords outstanding views of Frenchman Mountain. I have shared these pictures on Unilocal.The benches make a nice spot to take in the views and relax. I sat on the benches listening to «Joy to the World» as the scenery brought joy to my soul.
Despite all the outstanding views of Henderson, the Las Vegas Strip and the City of Las Vegas are nonexistent here. The only reminder of the Strip is the Stratosphere towering over Green Valley Medical. I was slightly disappointed that the trail was truncated south of Russel Road. If it reached the genuine north end of the mesa at Russel Road, I am nearly confident that there would be views of Las Vegas.
In addition to the overlooks, the Whitney Mesa Recreation Area is an island of nature up on a Henderson mesa. The path passes along molten rock and creosote. On this island of nature, the primary path is level dirt where the side overlook trails are slightly rocky. It is an easy hike. It is also a popular hike that I shared with many people. From the second overlook are trails reraching to the ground level trails near the Whitney Ranch Recreation Center building, The trails are rated difficult. At the bottom is the newest part of the recreation area.
Before I conclude this review, I want to share with you that Whitney Mesa Recreation Area is one of a few new parks in the City of Henderson. By the end of the Spring, the City plans to complete Cornerstone Park which will include Railroad Lake. There will also be an extension of the Union Pacific Trail from Acacia Demonstration Gardens to Cornerstone Park, and a new trail along Lake Mead Parkway. It was nice to leave Whitney Mesa Recreation Area knowing that this is just one of a few new parks that the City of Henderson is building.
The Unilocal 100 Challenge. Review 44 of 100.