Lower Bristlecone Trailhead is located up in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area (also known as Mt. Charleston), about 1-1/4 hours northwest of Las Vegas.

From town, drive north on Highway 95 to Lee Canyon Road (Highway 156; Table 1, Site 0668). Turn left onto Lee Canyon Road and drive 16.7 miles west towards the ski area. Lower Bristlecone Trailhead is located about 1 mile before the end of Lee Canyon Road, just before the campgrounds.

Link to Trailhead Map.

Driving up the canyon, pass the long, grassy meadow (Lee Meadow) and watch for a trailhead sign on the right. At the unsigned intersection on the right (Site 1276), turn right onto the well-graded Lower Bristlecone Trailhead Access Road. Drive north about 100 yards on the dirt road to the big dirt parking lot at the end of the road (Site 0550). Park here; this is the trailhead.

Lower Bristlecone Trailhead provides access to the Bristlecone Loop Trail, Bonanza Trail, and various routes to places such as McFarland Peak and the Sister Peaks.