Park Peak Loop: What to Know Before You Go
Park Peak Loop follows official BLM trails 404, 402, and 403 to a real summit at roughly 3,810 to 3,822 feet, finishing with a short Class 2 boulder scramble to the true high point. It's a genuinely strenuous loop out of Henderson's Anthem neighborhood, with sweeping views across the Las Vegas Valley and a small trail register tucked into an old ammo box at the top — a charming, recurring detail across multiple independent trip reports. Welcome to Park Peak Loop, a distinctive summit objective within Sloan Canyon NCA's broader trail network.
Trail Snapshot
Distance | Approximately 5-5.5 miles round trip (one source lists a shorter 3.8 mile variant; treat 5-5.5 miles as the standard full loop)
Elevation | Roughly 800-880 ft cumulative gain (3,810-3,822 ft summit elevation)
Difficulty | Strenuous
Hike Time | 2.5 to 3.5 hours (estimated)
Fee | None
Restrooms | None at the trailhead
Pets | Not explicitly confirmed for this trail
Elevation | Roughly 800-880 ft cumulative gain (3,810-3,822 ft summit elevation)
Difficulty | Strenuous
Hike Time | 2.5 to 3.5 hours (estimated)
Fee | None
Restrooms | None at the trailhead
Pets | Not explicitly confirmed for this trail
How to Reach the Trailhead
The trailhead is in Henderson's Anthem/Sun City Anthem area, at Shadow Canyon Drive (reference address 2268 Shadow Canyon Drive, Henderson, NV 89044). The hike starts on a short paved stretch before entering BLM land. No fee to hike here.
What to Expect on the Trail
A genuinely strenuous loop combining BLM trails 404 (Black Mountain Trail), 402 (Connector Trail), and 403 (Park Peak Trail/Loop), with seven long switchbacks climbing toward the summit. The final 15 to 25 vertical feet to the true summit require Class 2 boulder scrambling over loose volcanic rock — not a maintained trail tread. One source notes it can be hard to relocate the trail after the scramble on the way back down. No shade exists anywhere along the route — one trip report described hiking it at 102-104°F as genuinely rough.
A Summit Register in an Old Ammo Box
Summit views take in the Las Vegas Valley, Mt. Potosi, the Red Rock Canyon cliffs to the west, Mt. Charleston, the Sheep Range, the Las Vegas Range, Frenchman Mountain to the north, Black Mountain, Fracture Ridge, and the North McCullough Range. Joshua trees and cacti line the route, with wildflowers in late winter and early spring. A small trail register tucked into an old ammo box sits at the summit — a charming detail documented across multiple independent trip reports.
Best Time to Visit and Conditions
Fall through spring is strongly recommended given the complete lack of shade and documented rough conditions in summer heat.
Practical Advice for New Visitors
- Bring at least 3 liters of water per person given the heat exposure.
- Wear sturdy hiking boots for the summit scramble.
- Pack sun protection — there's no shade on this route.
- Start early, especially outside the cooler months.
- The final approach to the true summit is a genuine Class 2 boulder scramble — come prepared for hands-on climbing.
- Look for the trail register tucked into an old ammo box at the summit.
- It can be hard to relocate the trail after the summit scramble on the way down — take note of your route.
- Not recommended for young kids given the distance, heat, and summit scramble.
For hikers looking for a genuine summit challenge close to Henderson, Park Peak Loop delivers real scrambling and a distinctive, wide-ranging view — just don't underestimate the heat exposure or the boulder finish.
