Avi Kwa Ame National Monument (Ah-VEEK-waa-meh), which translates to “Spirit Mountain” in English, administered by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, is located just south of Las Vegas. Incorporating some 506,814 acres, it includes almost all of the southern tip of Nevada (map). This National Monument primarily is a cultural area that protects the view from Spirit Mountain westward, an area that is sacred to several Native American tribes. In doing so, the national monument protects the wild and rugged nature of this land, providing large areas for hiking and finding solitude, while also protecting native desert habit for plants and wildlife. There are two wilderness areas inside the national monument, but the vast majority is also open for driving on designated roads and car camping. There are few designated trails in Avi Kwa Ame, but that provides opportunity to find your own way -- throw off the shackles of "designated trails" and wander off into the desert to find your route and find yourself.

For More Information on Getting to Avi Kwa Ame National Monument, Hours of Operation, Entrance Fees, Car Camping, Hiking Permits, Precautions, Rules and Regulations, and Links to even More Information, visit the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument Area Overview Page.