‘Spirit Mountain’: The Newest Of Nevada’s National Monuments
Near the southern tip of Nevada, between the tiny town of Cal-Nev-Ari and the Colorado River, hundreds of thousands of acres of sacred land known as Avi Kwa Ame (pronounced Ah-VEE-kwah-may). Although you’ll find it on Google Maps as “Spirit Mountain“. Well, it’s about to join Nevada’s three other national monuments.
The location is over 500,000 acres of wonder. From ancient petroglyphs to bighorn sheep, hiking trails, off-roading and more. The area is beloved and, more than that, is considered sacred land by several Native American tribes.
Now the Biden Administration and the Department Of The Interior have designated the land as a national monument – Nevada’s fourth.
Why is making ‘Spirit Mountain’ into one of Nevada’s national monuments so important?
A national monument is almost entirely similar to a national recreation area, except national monuments are only on federal lands. What does that protect? Property rights, land use rights, water rights and more. It protects the area from being developed, drilled and otherwise molested that would cause this incredible and sacred land permanent damage.
With Avi Kwa Ame becoming Nevada’s fourth national monument, you might wonder what the other three are.
Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument
Over 22,000 acres of history, at the northern end of Durango Drive in Las Vegas. Ice age fossils can be found there, showing Southern Nevada’s past mammals, from sabretooth tigers to mammoths and more.
Basin & Range National Monument
This is a biggie… over 700,000 acres of natural arches, petroglyphs and history. It’s just a hike… over 4 hours north of the valley and far off an interstate.
Gold Butte National Monument
It’s magnificent, with views for miles… this national monument sports countless petroglyphs, ghost towns and more. From jagged rocks to Joshua Trees and everything in between, you’ll find peace and tranquility and a whole lot more over 300,000 sprawling acres northwest of Las Vegas.
Listen to Aimee+Shawn weekday mornings from 6-10 on 102.7 VGS
Follow the station on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok!
Follow Aimee+Shawn on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok!