We Are Las Vegas

Veteran Hiking Group Has Grown in Las Vegas

The group gathers the first Saturday of each month to hike three to four miles together.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Hiking

Gouache-painted illustration of worn hiking boots on a rocky desert ledge, evoking the quiet reflection of a veteran hiking community.
A local veteran hiking group in Las Vegas has built a consistent community to support mental health and foster connection through monthly desert excursions. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Local veterans have built a monthly hiking community across the Las Vegas Valley to support one another through shared experience. Organizer Nathan French established the group to provide a consistent outlet for mental health support.

Why it matters

With the veteran suicide rate reported at more than twice the national average, these monthly treks serve as a preventative measure to build connection. The group uses the trail as a space to converse and honor those lost.

The group currently maintains 90 followers on Facebook, with recent outings drawing eight to nine participants. These hikes typically cover a distance of three and a half to four miles.

The players

Nathan French

He is the organizer who established the veteran hiking group.

The details

Participants use the monthly meetups to share personal stories and perform a moment of remembrance once they reach the summit, where Henderson is visible. Nathan French leads the excursions, which grew out of his personal efforts three years ago. The group continues to invite more local veterans to join the established monthly schedule.

Timeline

  1. The group meets on the first Saturday of each month.

  2. Nathan French completed a 22-mile walk for Veterans Suicide Awareness Day three years ago.

Beyond the Strip

The group builds upon the foundation of Veterans Suicide Awareness Day by moving from annual advocacy to consistent monthly support. This recurring presence offers a localized alternative to broader awareness campaigns.

Veterans interested in the monthly hikes should look to the group's Facebook page for upcoming trail locations. Participants should be prepared for a three to four-mile trek on the first Saturday of each month.

The takeaway

The group offers a vital mental health resource for local veterans through regular physical activity and shared connection. Residents can follow the group's Facebook page to stay informed about upcoming meeting times and trail locations.

Further reading

You can find more outdoor activities and community groups on our Hiking page.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Investigatetv.

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Do you believe group activities are effective for supporting mental health in your local community?