Summerlin is a master-planned mixed-use development mostly within the city limits of Las Vegas, Nevada. The development covers of the western edge of incorporated Las Vegas sitting at the center-west end of the Las Vegas Valley. Downtown Summerlin refers to the development's primary commercial and retail shopping area.

The neighborhood is adjacent to many wilderness conservation, recreation areas and commercial areas, including Red Rock and Spring Mountains and to the west, the La Madre and Mount Charleston Wilderness areas to its northwest, and the Las Vegas Strip resort corridor to its east.

The majority of Summerlin is within Las Vegas Ward I, currently represented on the Las Vegas City Council by Brian Knudsen, mayor pro tempore. Along with many private and charter schools, public education is provided by the Clark County School District. Emergency services are provided by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the Las Vegas Fire & Rescue department.

History

In 1952, reclusive casino and film executive Howard Hughes purchased of land along the western edge of the Las Vegas Valley for $3 per acre in an area valued at $1.27 million in 2022 USD, according to development company, Howard Hughes Holdings.

Despite initial intentions to reposition some of his business operations in Nevada, Hughes eventually chose not to relocate his core companies. Even though Hughes did not relocate operations, he became the largest single land owner in Nevada by the early 1970s and, for a time, the largest employer in the state with over 8,000 on his payroll.

left|thumb|Summerlin and Howard Hughes Holdings headquarters

In 1990, Summerlin Parkway – a six-lane highway costing $22 million to complete, running from Rainbow Boulevard to Town Center Drive – was opened, connecting the new development to U.S. Route 95. After this environmental concern was addressed, development began. By the end of 1990, the construction of its first residential area, park, and school had been completed. In 1994, Summa Corporation rebranded itself as the Howard Hughes Corporation and continued to develop new areas of Summerlin.

Demographics

It has a median household income of $72,078.

Geography

Climate

thumb|The main thoroughfare in Downtown SummerlinSummerlin has a hot desert climate typical of the Mojave Desert in which it lies (Köppen climate classification: BWh).

Summers tend to be very hot and very dry, with daily highs often exceeding ; temperatures as high as 118 degrees have been observed. The spring and fall seasons are generally sunny, warm, and dry, with daily highs in the 70s and 80s. Winters tend to be cool and windy, with daily highs in the 50s; temperatures seldom drop below freezing, and snowfall is rare, but some rain is common (especially in January and February).

Economy

Allegiant Air has their corporate headquarters in Summerlin.

Hotel and casinos

The Summerlin area is home to three major resort casinos.

  • JW Marriott Las Vegas, which includes the attached Rampart Casino, both opened in 1999.
  • Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa, opened in 2006.
  • Suncoast Hotel and Casino, opened in 2000. Generally considered a Summerlin property, but actually located just outside the community.

Summerlin is also home to a non-gaming hotel known as Element Las Vegas, developed by Westin Hotels. It opened in 2008.

Arts and culture

Downtown Summerlin

Downtown Summerlin is a mixed-use district. It opened in 2014, and includes a shopping center with more than 125 shops, bars, and restaurants. It also features office and residential space. In addition, Downtown Summerlin also includes two sports facilities:

  • City National Arena, opened in 2017. It serves as a practice facility for the Vegas Golden Knights NHL franchise and is also the home arena of the UNLV Rebels hockey program.

thumb|Las Vegas Ballpark

  • Las Vegas Ballpark, opened in 2019 and home of the Las Vegas Aviators minor league baseball team.

Local events are held in Downtown Summerlin throughout the year, including an annual art festival, outdoor fitness classes, wine walks, holiday festivals, and visits from celebrity guest speakers.

Library

thumb|Summerlin Library

Summerlin has a public library, a branch of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District.

Sports

The city's NHL franchise, the Vegas Golden Knights, practice at City National Arena in Summerlin. The arena also offers skating lessons, hosts youth and adult amateur hockey leagues, and trains competitive figure skaters.

The UNLV Hockey team plays its home games at City National Arena in Summerlin.

The Las Vegas Aviators (a minor league baseball franchise) play at the Las Vegas Ballpark in Summerlin.

Parks and recreation

Cycling

Bicycle lanes are provided on most major roads in Summerlin, as well as in the adjacent Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

Community parks

Large community parks, which are available for free public use, are located throughout Summerlin. , there are more than 300 parks that feature a variety of recreational amenities, which may include: community centers, barbecue areas, walking trails, playgrounds, swimming pools, interactive water features, soccer fields, baseball fields, football fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, volleyball courts, bocce ball and shuffleboard courts, and motorized toy areas. In addition, the parks with community centers typically offer special events, classes, and children's camps. Swimming pool access, sports field and court registration and league participation, facility rentals, and classes require a Summerlin identification card issued only to owners and tenants who live in an area governed by a Summerlin HOA.

In 2026, a portion of Grand Park, the largest park in Summerlin, has opened to the public. Once the three phases are complete, Grand Park is expected to be around 90 acres within the master-planned community of Grand Park Village

Walking trails

In 2018, the Summerlin Trail System is more than 150 miles long and connects local neighborhoods to various amenities throughout the community. The system includes five types of planned trails: street-side, village, bike, regional, and natural.

As of 2026, there are more tham 200 miles of interconnected trails and will connect to more than 2,000 miles of regional trails, making it one of the most comprehensive and efficient trail systems in the southwestern United States.

In 2008, Summerlin and the Howard Hughes Corporation received the American Trails Developer Award, which is given to developers in recognition of "quality, well designed multi-use trails systems that are integrated into private developments."

Mountain recreation

The adjacent Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area offers 26 hiking trails (ranging in difficulty from easy to strenuous). The canyon is also suitable for bouldering and rock climbing and has an overnight camp site.

Education

Public schools

Public schools in Summerlin belong to the Clark County School District, which serves almost all of Southern Nevada.

Elementary schools located in Summerlin

  • Shelley Berkley Elementary School
  • John W. Bonner Elementary School
  • Roger M. Bryan Elementary School
  • Linda Rankin Givens Elementary School
  • John & Judy Goolsby Elementary School
  • William R. Lummis Elementary School
  • D'vorre & Hal Ober Elementary School
  • Ethel W. Staton Elementary School
  • James B. McMillan Elementary
  • Katz Elementary
  • Bill and Rosemary Vassiliadis

Middle schools located in Summerlin

  • Ernest Becker Middle School
  • Victoria Fertitta Middle School
  • Sig Rogich Middle School

High schools located in Summerlin

  • Palo Verde High School
  • Cimarron-Memorial High School
  • West Career And Technical Academy

In addition to the above-listed public schools, some Summerlin residents may be zoned for schools located just outside of the Summerlin boundaries (many families in Summerlin South, for example, are zoned for Durango High School in nearby Spring Valley).

Private schools

Summerlin is also home to several private schools, including:

  • The Adelson Educational Campus (K-12; Jewish)
  • Alexander Dawson School (K-8; Secular)
  • Bishop Gorman High School (9-12; Catholic)
  • Faith Lutheran Academy (K-5; Lutheran)
  • Faith Lutheran Jr/Sr High School (6-12; Lutheran)
  • The Meadows School (K-12; Secular)
  • Merryhill Preschools (Infants-Pre-K)
  • Merryhill School (K-5; Secular)
  • St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School (K-8; Catholic)
  • The Shenker Academy (Kindergarten only; Jewish)
  • Sholom Schechter Day School of Las Vegas (K-5; Jewish)

Higher education

Higher education within the community of Summerlin is mostly limited to small satellite campuses, including:

  • The College of Southern Nevada (Summerlin Center Campus; Public)
  • The Roseman University of Health Sciences (Summerlin Campus; Private)

However, Summerlin is also located within 10 miles of the College of Southern Nevada's main campus (CSN - Charleston), within 20 miles of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and within 30 miles of Nevada State College (NSC).

Infrastructure

Governance

In addition to local government (either the City of Las Vegas or Clark County depending on jurisdiction), Summerlin is divided into community associations covering the north, south, west, and center, as well as separate community associations for Sun City Summerlin and the two gated country club developments (Siena and Red Red Country Club). Homeowners and business owners contribute into each community association through monthly dues. The four main community associations contribute into and send representatives to the Summerlin Council, which is the owner and operator of the community centers and adjoining parks, swimming pools, and sports facilities in the community. In addition, individual villages or townhome developments may have their own homeowners associations to govern their neighborhoods. Properties are also in a special improvement district to pay for public infrastructure, which is assessed annually as a bond payment.

Healthcare

The Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, a private hospital operated by the Valley Health System, provides 485 beds to the local community. It is an accredited Chest Pain Center and Primary Stroke Center. Other features include: the Children's Medical Center, the Breast Care Center, the Cancer Center, the Rehab Center, and the Robotic Surgery Center. Its 40-acre campus is located in The Crossings village of Summerlin North.

Notable people

  • Miriam Adelson: Chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands
  • Eugenie Bouchard: Professional tennis player
  • David Copperfield: Magician and TV personality
  • Frank Fertitta III: CEO of Station Casinos
  • Lorenzo Fertitta: Former CEO of Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Russ Freeman (pianist): Bebop jazz pianist and composer
  • Joey Gallo: MLB player for the New York Yankees
  • Rick Harrison: Owner of World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop and Pawn Stars Reality TV Star
  • Brandon Marshall: Former NFL wide receiver for the Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders
  • Bob Miller: Former Nevada Governor
  • Ross Miller: Former Nevada Secretary of State
  • Michael Morton: Founder of the Morton Group of restaurants
  • Asia Muhammad: WTA Tennis player
  • Shabazz Muhammad: NBA player for the Minnesota Timberwolves
  • DeMarco Murray: Former NFL running back for the Tennessee Titans and Dallas Cowboys
  • Joey Rickard: MLB player for the San Francisco Giants
  • O. J. Simpson: Former NFL player, convicted felon, actor, and sportscaster
  • Ronnie Stanley: NFL Offensive Tackle for the Baltimore Ravens
  • Brendon Urie: Vocalist for Panic! at the Disco
  • Mark Wahlberg: Actor and entrepreneur
  • C.J. Watson: NBA basketball player for the Orlando Magic
  • Dana White: President of Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Wayne McCullough: Olympic Games Silver Medalist and World Boxing Council Champion
  • Pia Zadora: Actress and singer
  • Stephen Zimmerman: NBA player for the Orlando Magic

References and notes

  • Summerlin web site