McCullough Hills Trail: What to Know Before You Go
McCullough Hills Trail runs a genuine 8 miles one-way across Sloan Canyon NCA's northern day-use area, connecting the Mission Hills Trailhead in the east to the Anthem Hills Trailhead in the west. The BLM rates it easy to moderate, and two shade shelters roughly 3 and 6 miles in give day hikers natural turnaround points without needing to arrange a car shuttle for the full crossing. Welcome to McCullough Hills Trail, an officially-designated hiking, mountain bike, and equestrian route with real trailhead facilities on both ends.
Trail Snapshot
Distance | 8 miles one-way per official BLM trail map (third-party sites listing 16+ miles describe the full out-and-back)
Elevation | 2,560-3,150 ft range (about 590 ft of elevation change)
Difficulty | Easy to Moderate as a point-to-point per BLM; Hard if hiked as a full out-and-back
Hike Time | 3.5-4 hours one-way; 6.5-7.5 hours for a full out-and-back
Fee | None
Restrooms | Yes, at both the Mission Hills and Anthem Hills trailheads
Pets | Allowed on leash
Elevation | 2,560-3,150 ft range (about 590 ft of elevation change)
Difficulty | Easy to Moderate as a point-to-point per BLM; Hard if hiked as a full out-and-back
Hike Time | 3.5-4 hours one-way; 6.5-7.5 hours for a full out-and-back
Fee | None
Restrooms | Yes, at both the Mission Hills and Anthem Hills trailheads
Pets | Allowed on leash
How to Reach the Trailhead
Two trailheads serve this trail: Mission Hills Trailhead (Mission Drive, Henderson) on the east end, and Anthem Hills Trailhead near Sun City Anthem on the west end — both paved-road accessible with parking, restrooms, picnic tables, and covered shelters. No fee to hike here.
What to Expect on the Trail
The BLM's official figure is 8 miles one-way, rated easy to moderate — this is the authoritative point-to-point distance. Hiked as a self-supported out-and-back from a single trailhead without a shuttle, it becomes a genuinely hard, all-day 16-mile undertaking. Two shade shelters at roughly the 3-mile and 6-mile marks give a practical middle-ground option: hike to a shelter and back for a shorter, still-rewarding day without committing to the full crossing. No natural water sources exist along the route — carry everything you need.
Volcanic Terrain and Valley-Wide Views
Two official viewpoints plus the two shade shelters break up sweeping views of the Las Vegas Valley, Spring Mountains, Mt. Potosi, the Rainbow Mountains, and Mt. Charleston Wilderness, with Strip views from higher points and Eldorado Valley visible from the eastern segment. The trail crosses exposed dark volcanic (basalt) rock from ancient lava flows, distinct from the petroglyph-bearing canyon terrain elsewhere in Sloan Canyon NCA — a visible record of the McCullough Range's volcanic past.
Best Time to Visit and Conditions
October through May is strongly recommended — summer temperatures here regularly exceed 100°F per BLM's own safety guidance.
Practical Advice for New Visitors
- Bring all the water you'll need — there are no natural sources along the route.
- Wear sturdy shoes for loose dirt/gravel on hairpin sections.
- Arrange a car shuttle if attempting the full one-way crossing.
- Pack sun protection — shade is limited to the two shelters.
- 8 miles one-way is the official BLM figure — don't confuse it with the 16-mile out-and-back figure some sites list.
- Use the two mid-route shade shelters as natural turnaround points if you don't want the full distance.
- This is a genuine multi-use trail shared with mountain bikers and equestrians.
- Dogs are allowed on leash here, unlike the Petroglyph Canyon area.
McCullough Hills Trail is one of the more flexible hikes in this series — a serious point-to-point or out-and-back challenge for hikers who want it, with real trailhead facilities and built-in shorter options for those who don't need the full 8 miles.
