[1] The community is divided into three associations (North, South, and West), which oversee two dozen commercial and residential villages.

The Howard Hughes Corporation maintains ownership of the master-planned community, along with Downtown Summerlin (the community's premier shopping, dining, and entertainment district) and the Las Vegas Ballpark (home of the Las Vegas Aviators minor league baseball team, which is named in Hughes' honor).

In 1952, the film director, aviator, and casino mogul Howard Hughes purchased 25,000 acres (10,000 ha) of land in Southern Nevada, making him the Las Vegas Valley's largest landowner.

[3] Despite his initial intentions, he ultimately chose not to relocate his company to Nevada, so the purchased land remained undeveloped and empty for decades.

After Hughes died of kidney failure in 1976, the Summa Corporation was organized by his heirs to oversee his vast business empire and land holdings.

Residential development also saw a great revival following the recession, and by 2016, Summerlin was once again one of the top communities in America for new home sales.

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).

[19][20][21] In addition, Downtown Summerlin also includes two sports facilities:[22] Local events are held in Downtown Summerlin throughout the year, including an annual art festival,[25][26] outdoor fitness classes, wine walks, holiday festivals, and visits from celebrity guest speakers.

The arena also offers skating lessons, hosts youth and adult amateur hockey leagues, and trains competitive figure skaters.

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

In addition, the parks with community centers typically offer special events, classes, and children's camps.

"[31] The adjacent Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area offers 26 hiking trails (ranging in difficulty from easy to strenuous).