Is anyone familiar with backpacking near Las Vegas?

I just moved to Las Vegas and I would like to do some overnight backpacking. As i'm new to backpacking, I'm having some trouble finding resources online as far as rules for camping off trails. If anyone is familiar with the surrounding areas, namely Mt. Charleston or Red Rock canyon, please feel free to help me out :)

There are a couple of books on backpacking in Nevada wilderness areas. Unfortunately, since I am in process of moving into temporary quarters to rebuild my house, I don't have the exact names. But they are available in REI (I think there is one in Lust Wages?). The titles are something like Hikes in Nevada Wilderness Areas or Backpacking Nevada.

You are also close to some good areas in NW Arizona and SW Utah, as well as some not far away in California. When winter sets in, look into some of the backpacks in Death Valley (not in summer, though, until you get used to desert hiking). Telescope Peak, on the border of Death Valley NP is ok in summer, sometimes having patches of snow year around.

Thanks for the info. The only books i could really find at barnes and nobles were mostly about short 1 - 2 mile hikes. I ended up buying Afoot & Afield: Las Vegas and Southern Nevada. Another was called Backpacking nevada, but not very much about the immediate area. It only had two trails mentioned and the rest were in northen NV.

I'm really looking for information regarding the overnight aspect. Is it acceptable (legal) to just pitch a tent wherever you want for the night? Theres no visitor center at Mt. Charelston so i don't know who to ask. The reservation line for the campgrounds didn't know and couldn't even tell me if fires were allowed.

My ideal trip would be a good 5 mile or more hike one way. Hang out and enjoy the surroundings. Setup a tent and possibly a fire to cook some dinner. Hit the sac then wake up and either get on some more trails or head back home.

I'd actually check with the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) about overnighting as there's no "park service" around. I can't remember if there is an REI in Vegas, but there are a few sporadic outfitters in Summerlin & Green Valley-Henderson.

there are some good trails around Lake Mead on the Arizona side, but you may as well continue on the road to Kingman and hit the Ditch... (that's what AZ/NV locals call the Grand Canyon)

good luck

I trail ran red rock canyon. But don't recall seeing a camping sign. But it's definately worth a first time visit even if you are not overnight camping.