Overview

Wheeler Camp Spring is a pleasant place for a short walk in the woods, or at least a walk in a desert riparian area. This is a spring area with a long history. Native peoples would have used it over the last 10,000 years or so, and European peoples probably started using it in the late 1500s when it became part of the Old Spanish Trail. The Wheeler Survey (1872-1879), one of the Four Great Surveys, was conducted by the US government to document the geology and natural resources of the American West. Local lore suggest that the expedition camped here, hence the name: Wheeler Camp Spring. More recently, the area has been used by Blue Diamond for water and people for camping and partying. For a time, the local Audubon Society managed the area to benefit wildlife, but that fell apart when the BLM was cutting down on partner organizations. The area now sits quietly, still benefiting birds and toads, beaconing visitors to stop for a short walk.

Link to map.

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about hiking in the desert, ...these are pretty safe hikes, even for kids. Be mindful when walking in overgrown vegetation because the riparian area attracts lots of wildlife, including snakes.

Watch for slippery rocks along the creek during summer, and watch for ice during winter. In and around desert washes, always be aware of the potential for flash floods.

While hiking, please respect the land and the other people out there, and try to Leave No Trace of your passage. Also, even though this is a short hike, be sure to bring what you need of the 10 Essentials.

Wheeler Camp Spring is located in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, about 30 minutes from downtown, but not on the Scenic Loop Road. From West Charleston Blvd at the entrance to the Scenic Loop Road, continue west on Charleston for 6.7 miles to an unsigned spur road on the right (south). Turn right onto the Wheeler Camp Spring Trailhead parking lot. Park here; this is the trailhead.

The Hike

The Wheeler Camp Spring area is crisscrossed with use-trails. There are, however, two logical short hikes that people can do in this area: the Short Loop (0.42 miles RT) and the Long Loop (0.77 miles RT). Both loops start and stop at the same place, but the Long Loop goes farther down the wash and passes the old spring box where free water is most likely to be found.

SHORT LOOP TRAIL

Both loop trails start at the trailhead parking area, pass through two gates, and head south following an old road to the normally dry Oak Creek Wash. Both loop trails cross the wash to a trail junction on the other side and climb onto the bluffs overlooking the Wheeler Camp riparian area from the south.

From atop the bluffs, the Short Loop Trail drops down through a mesquite thicket into the broad, open Wheeler Camp Meadows area where Yerba Mansa carpets the ground and Cottonwood Trees full of birds tower above.

In the Meadows area, the Short Trail turns back to the northwest, and runs along a bench above the wash until returning to the original trail junction. From there, hikers turn right, cross Oak Creek Wash, and walk up the old road to the trailhead.

For details, see Wheeler Camp Spring Short Loop Trail.

LONG LOOP TRAIL

As with the Short Loop Trail, the Long Loop runs down, crosses Oak Creek Wash, and climbs onto the bluffs beyond. The trail runs along the bluffs until dropping in to a relatively deep gully. At that point, this trail turns left into the thickets and follows a use-trail to the old spring box. From there, the trail runs eastward across swampy soils to Oak Creek Wash and continues downstream looking for open water and frogs.

Eventually, turning around, the Long Loop Trail returns back up Oak Creek Wash until reaching the Meadows area. At that point. The trail turns left into the trees and arrives in the Meadow. From there, the trail runs on the bench above Oak Creek Wash to the original trail junction. Hikers turn right, cross the wash, and return to the trailhead.

For details, see Wheeler Camp Spring Long Loop Trail.