Cactus Springs Loop

Cactus Springs loop is an easy walking path in the small community of Cactus Springs around 25 miles north of Las Vegas.While from Highway 95, the town of Cactus Springs would appear to be just a quick desolate turnout, the small community does have a couple interesting features and makes a good spot to get out and stretch your legs, or enjoy one last breath of fresh open air before driving the final stretch into the Vegas metropolis.The path begins behind a gate at a gravel parking area near the town's southeast onramp. While the trail is not clearly signed, cell service tends to be good here so you can follow along on maps pretty easily, or just wander the most open path through the trees and brush emerging from the desert. Laying near the base of the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, there is a fair amount of underground water here giving life to some foliage, including a seemingly middle-of-nowhere shoe tree pretty quickly into your walk. The route heads up a slight incline, gaining about 30 feet of elevation before reaching the dirt double track. A couple short turns here and you'll be tracing the loop back down toward the parking area.One unique structure off to the west will catch your eye along this walk. That is the Temple of Goddess Spirituality, a small outdoor sanctuary originally built in the early 1990's on land purchased at the edge of the Nevada Test Site and deeded back to the Shoshone Tribe. Artists have built a peaceful space here and welcome the public during daylight hours. That being said, you'll likely find yourselves the only ones in the vicinity, and the quietness of the space is striking, with the exception of the military aircraft drills run at neighboring Creech Air Force Base. In all, the loop walk is about .7 miles if not visiting the Temple, and 1 mile if detouring to the temple. There are no amenities of any kind in Cactus Springs, however gas, food and water are available at the town of Indian Springs 3 miles to the east.