Old Mill Picnic Area near Mt. Charleston offers cool mountain air, shady tables, and easy trails, creating a relaxed family picnic escape from Las Vegas.
Old Mill Picnic Area is a well-equipped, forested picnic destination in the mountains above Las Vegas, Nevada. Set among tall pines and cooler air at higher elevation, it’s a favorite spot for families and small groups looking to leave the desert heat behind for a day. With picnic tables, potable water, grills, and restrooms, it offers the comforts you need while still feeling close to nature.
Whether your goal is a relaxed lunch in the shade or a full day that combines picnicking with hiking, exploring, and mountain air, Old Mill works as a flexible base. Nearby trails and scenic areas make it easy to pair your meal with a gentle walk, a short nature loop, or a more ambitious mountain outing.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | Las Vegas, NV 89124 (Mt. Charleston area) |
| Phone | Not listed – check local ranger district or recreation site information |
| Opening Hours | From sunrise to sunset |
| Facilities | Picnic tables, Potable water, Restrooms, Grills, BBQ areas |
| Notes | Generally open mainly from May to October; day-use fee is charged; pets allowed but must be kept on a leash. |
The mix of basic infrastructure and mountain scenery makes Old Mill Picnic Area a comfortable yet outdoorsy destination: you have water, restrooms, and cooking setups, but you still feel surrounded by forest and fresh air rather than concrete and crowds.
On weekends, Old Mill Picnic Area is especially popular with families seeking cooler temperatures and open space for kids to explore. There are shaded tables, open clearings where children can run or play simple games, and nearby easy paths for a short “mini-hike” before or after lunch. The pine forest adds a sense of adventure—kids can look for pine cones, watch birds, or simply enjoy the feeling of being in the mountains.
Packing for a full family outing is much easier with a practical vehicle like the Tara Explorer 2+2. Its cooling function keeps drinks and picnic ingredients cold on the drive up to Mt. Charleston, and the large storage space easily fits lunch supplies, folding chairs, extra layers, games, and even a small hammock. With built-in Bluetooth audio, you can play music quietly as you travel and set the mood for a relaxed mountain day.
Leave the city around 9:00 a.m. in your Tara Explorer 2+2 and head toward Mt. Charleston. The earlier start helps you avoid the strongest midday sun and lets you enjoy the cooler mountain air for longer. The drive itself is part of the experience as you transition from desert scenery to forested slopes.
Arrive at Old Mill Picnic Area around 10:00 a.m. and choose a picnic table under the trees. Set down your cooler, food, and water, and take a quick look at the grills or BBQ spots you plan to use later. Kids can start exploring the nearby open areas, looking for pine cones or playing simple games while adults organize the picnic setup.
This is also a good time to take a few photos; the combination of pine forest, wooden tables, and mountain light makes family photos and landscape shots look especially nice.
Around 10:30 a.m., go for a gentle walk on one of the nearby nature loops or short scenic paths. These walks are typically easy and suitable for all ages, with relatively flat ground and clear routes. You’ll pass through pine and fir trees, catch glimpses of the surrounding mountains, and give children the chance to observe small insects, plants, and forest details up close.
A 20–30 minute loop is usually enough to get everyone moving without causing fatigue, making it a perfect “before lunch” activity.
By noon, head back to your table and start preparing lunch. With grills and BBQ setups available, you can decide between a cold lunch or a full cookout.
Family-friendly picnic menu ideas:
After lunch, children can return to the nearby clearings or lightly wooded areas to play, while adults relax in the shade and enjoy the mountain breeze.
Early afternoon is ideal for low-key activities at the picnic area itself. Toss a frisbee, set up a simple ball game, or let kids roam the safe, visible spaces near your table. Adults can enjoy coffee, read a book, or take more photos with the forest as a backdrop—family portraits here often look natural and scenic.
If you still have energy around 3:00 p.m., consider exploring another short trail in the Mt. Charleston area. There are several routes with forest shade and mountain views that stay relatively cool and comfortable. Choose a path that matches your group’s fitness level and time; even a brief second walk can make the day feel full and satisfying.
Around 4:00 p.m., return to Old Mill Picnic Area, gather your belongings, and make sure you haven’t left behind any clothing, toys, or cooking gear. Check the table and ground carefully, pack all garbage into bags, and either use the designated trash containers or bring it back with you.
Load everything back into your Tara Explorer 2+2 and enjoy the downhill drive back toward Las Vegas, feeling refreshed from a full day in cooler mountain air.
To get the most out of your trip, keep these practical tips in mind:
With its combination of forest shade, mountain views, and well-maintained facilities, Old Mill Picnic Area is a great way to swap city heat for cool pine-scented air. Pair it with a comfortable, picnic-ready vehicle like the Tara Explorer 2+2, and you have everything you need for a relaxing family escape into the mountains above Las Vegas.
