Mary Jane Falls

Mary Jane Falls is a stunning seasonal waterfall on Mount Charleston, dropping approximately 200 feet down a limestone cliff face into a rocky grotto less than an hour's drive from the Las Vegas Strip. The falls emerge from a hanging canyon high on the mountain, cascading in multiple stages through a narrow chute before fanning out across the rock face. In peak spring flow, the volume is impressive and the sound reverberates through Kyle Canyon. Just a few hundred feet south of the falls, a natural cave carved into the limestone cliffs offers a spectacular framed view back down Kyle Canyon.

The Mary Jane Falls Trail is a 3.2-mile round trip with about 1,000 feet of elevation gain through a beautiful forest of quaking aspen, white fir, and ponderosa pine. The first 0.7 miles follows a wide, rocky path before the trail begins climbing nine switchbacks for the remaining 0.9 miles. At nearly 8,800 feet elevation at the falls, the air is noticeably cooler than the desert floor below, making this a popular escape from the summer heat. The trail is well-maintained but rocky and gains elevation steadily.

The best time to visit is mid-to-late spring (April through June) when snowmelt feeds the falls at their most powerful. By midsummer the flow diminishes significantly, and by fall the falls may be just a trickle. In winter, the trail can be icy and may require traction devices. The trailhead has parking and primitive restrooms. This is one of the most popular hikes near Las Vegas, so arrive early on weekends to secure parking.