The Park Peak #403 Trail is a moderate 4.9 mile roundtrip hike that takes you from the Shadow Canyon Canyon Trailhead to the top of Park Peak. Standing at 3,813 feet, Park Peak is one of the lower mountain peaks in the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, but it provides excellent views of the Las Vegas. This is an excellent hike for families and those who are new to hiking. The only tricky part about this hike is scrambling across some boulders at the top of Park Peak.
There are two routes to Park Peak. Below is the description of the Park Peak #403 Trail, which is the shorter and most direct route to Park Peak. The #403 Trail takes you to the northern base of Park Peak where the trail turns into a clockwise loop that takes you to the top of Park Peak on the east side and takes you down on the west side until you close the loop rejoin the trail back to the Shadow Canyon Trailhead. The other route is the 5.3 mile Park Peak Loop Trail, which also begins at the Shadow Canyon Trail head, uses the first mile of the Black Mountain #404 Trail, the #402 Connector Trail and the Park Peak #403 Trail.
Before attempting to hike the Park Peak #403 Trail, please make sure that you are prepared and are following the guidelines for hiker safety.
Waypoint 1 – Shadow Canyon Trailhead (N 35.94513° W 115.08158°)
The hike begins at the Shadow Canyon Trailhead in the Sun City Anthem neighborhood in Henderson. To find the trailhead, you can enter 2268 Shadow Canyon Drive Henderson, NV 89044 enter your GPS/Google Maps (which is the home next to the trailhead). There are not bathrooms at the trailhead. There is limited parking, so it is not uncommon for hikers to park on Shadow Canyon Drive.
The first half mile of the hike is on a paved trail that provides access to several different trails in the area.
Waypoint 2 – Right Turn Up to Cinder Block Structure (N 35.94034° W 115.07834°)
After you have traveled .4 miles on the paved trail take the paved trail to the right that takes you up towards the power lines and the cinder block structure.
Waypoint 3 – Cinder Block Structure (N 35.93949° W 115.07767°)
After you have traveled .49 miles you will reach the cinder block structure. Before passing the structure, turn right and pick up the beginning of the #403 Trail on the west side of the structure. You will see a switchback trail going southwest and up towards the power lines.
Waypoint 4 – Cross Utility Road (N 35.938207° W 115.078301°)
Once you reach the power lines at the top of the hill, you will arrive at the utility road. Cross the utility road and continue on the #403 Trail. From here, it’s just under one mile until you reach the clockwise loop portion of the hike. The trail goes along a ridge with nice views of Anthem Highlands to the west and Black Mountain to the east. The trail will take you down into a valley just before reaching the loop portion of the trail.
Waypoint 5 – Starting the Loop (N 35.928215° W 115.069621°)
After traveling 1.7 miles from the Shadow Canyon Trailhead, and .9 miles from Waypoint 4, you will reach the loop portion of the #403 Trail. It is recommended that you follow the loop clockwise, ascending the eastern slope of Park Peak and descending on the western slope.
Waypoint 6 – Intersection with the #402 Connector Trail (N 35.927946° W 115.067774°)
After just 585 feet, you will reach the intersection of the #403 Trail and the #402 Connector Trail. The #402 Connector Trail links the Black Mountain #404 Trail and the #403 Park Peak Trail. Continue on the #403 Trail to the right towards Park Peak. From here, you have .7 miles until you reach the top of Park Peak.
Waypoint 7 – Passing the Beginning of the Fracture Ridge Trail (N 35.925690° W 115.066106°)
After you reach the top of the first set of switchbacks, you may notice cairns on the left of the trail marking the beginning of the Fracture Ridge Trail. The Fracture Ridge Trail is an unofficial “social trail” that is not maintained by the BLM. It is a difficult primitive trail taking you to the top of Fracture Ridge, which is the peak just south of Black Mountain. This trail should only be used by experienced hikers. Pass the Fracture Ridge Trail and continue south before turning west towards Park Peak.
Waypoint 8 – Park Peak (N 35.924217° W 115.069042°)
The trail to the top of Park Peak ends around 15 yards from the peak. There is usually a small flag marking the peak. You will need to do some scrambling over volcanic boulders to reach the peak. Here you will be rewarded with excellent views of the Las Vegas Valley and the North McCullough Range. You will also find an ammo box with a trail register.
Waypoint 9 – Trail Begins Down Park Peak (N 35.924081° W 115.069319°)
From the top of Park Peak, you will need to scramble down about 15 yards over the volcanic boulders until the #403 Trail begins again. The trail begins on the southwest side of the peak.
Waypoint 10 – Intersection with the #101 Trail to Sloan Canyon (N 35.925595° W 115.074182°)
As you reach the western base of Park Peak, you will see a sign for the #101 Trail to the left. This trail connects the trails in the eastern part of the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area with Sloan Canyon. From here, it’s about 4 miles on the #101 Trail to Sloan Canyon. The #101 Trail is a fairly moderate trail, and can also be reached by trailheads in Anthem Highlands. Pass the #101 Trail on your left and continue on the #403 Trail until finish the clockwise loop and head back towards the Shadow Canyon Trailhead.
Waypoint 11 – Finish the Loop and Head Back Towards the Shadow Canyon Trailhead (N 35.928215° W 115.069621°)
After descending Park Peak and following the trail to the its norther base, you will reach the end of the loop and return back to the Shadow Canyon Trailhead to the left on the same trail that you came in on.
Waypoint 12 – Fork in the Trail (N 35.937034° W 115.078704°)
Shortly before you reach the utility road and power lines again, there is a fork in the trail to the left, which heads toward the Anthem Highlands neighborhood. Take the right (east) fork and continue on the to the utility road, crossing it and taking the switchbacks down toward the cinder block structure and the paved trail back towards the Shadow Canyon Trailhead.
The End – The Shadow Canyon Trailhead (N 35.94513° W 115.08158°)
Once you reach the Shadow Canyon Trailhead you have completed the 4.9 mile return trip to Park Peak.
Hiking Around Henderson, Nevada 