Cathedral Rock Picnic Area
Cathedral Rock Picnic Area Overview
The Cathedral Rock Picnic Area is one of my favorites at Mt. Charleston as the tables are spread out from each other, there is plenty of parking, and restrooms are available.
It is also located in a great area of the mountain away from the main roads so you don’t have traffic noise and the surrounding trees set an ambiance that can’t be beaten.
Click here to read my article on hiking Cathedral Rock at Mt. Charleston.
Cathedral Rock Picnic Area is a renovated site with nearly 80 picnic sites, as well as gathering spaces, a new water system, new interpretive signage to include site information featuring the Civilian Conservation Corps, and new toilet facilities.
Click here to view a .pdf map of the Cathedral Rock Picnic Area and here to learn about other Picnic Areas at Mt. Charleston.
Use Type:
Day use.
Generally, open from May through September conditions permitting.
Hours Open
During the season the Cathedral Rock Picnic Area is open from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM but is subject to change.
Fees for Cathedral Rock Picnic Area
The day-use fees are $12 during the week and $18 for Friday through Sundays and holidays for a single picnic area, $24 for weekdays, and $36 for weekends and holidays for a double picnic area.
Note: If you have a National Parks Pass, entry is free (at this time not sure how it applies to double tables).
Reservations
The group areas vary based on size with the smaller group site being $85 and the larger group site being $120. (reservations are made online for the group facilities through Recreation.gov)
Water Sources at Cathedral Rock Picnic Area
Potable Water
Restrooms at Cathedral Rock Picnic Area
2 vault toilets and 8 flush toilets
Activities:
Hiking trails
How to Get to Cathedral Rock Picnic Area
Directions:
From Las Vegas, Nevada, take Highway 95 north to the junction with Highway 157/Kyle Canyon.
Turn left and travel approximately 21 miles to the picnic area at the end of the highway.
Latitude | 36.2567 – Longitude | -115.6433
Parking at Cathedral Rock Picnic Area
Plenty of parking in the parking lots and near each area
Additional Photos of the Cathedral Rock Picnic Area



Cathedral Rock Picnic Area References
- Cathedral Rock Picnic Area on the USDA Forestry Service website
- Cathedral Rock Picnic Area on Recreation.gov