Location: Las Vegas
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What to do and see in Las Vegas, Nevada (NV): The Best Nature & Wildlife Areas
Whether you’re a high roller or a low-key lounger, Las Vegas has something to suit your vacation taste. Sample fare from top chefs and cornucopian buffets, try your luck at one of the world’s premier casinos, or take in a spectacular show. Just wandering the Strip is enough to get your heart pumping. Once you’ve had enough of the razzle-dazzle, wave hello to the toothy sea life at the Mandalay Bay Shark Reef, hike Red Rock Canyon, or visit the Neon Museum, where old signs take on new life.
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1. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26,046 reviews
Visitors can admire colorful rock formations on several hiking trails or on a 13-mile scenic drive.
Reviewed By JerriAL1 - Johnston, United States
Spent half a day in this park in January when we wanted to get out of Vegas and do some hiking and exploring. The park fee for a vehicle day pass is $15 and well worth the time spent here. It was just over 60 degrees so plenty comfortable for us northerners and we wore shorts with a long sleeve top, had on sunscreen and carried water on our hikes. There is a 13 mile one way scenic loop which you can drive through and see plenty just stopping at the overlooks. There are also many hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate to difficult with a variety of elevation rises and lengths that you can choose from to see petroglyphs, hidden falls, scenic views and nature’s beauty more close up. The guide which you can access online or pick up in paper form has a map and very good descriptions of all scenic views, overlooks and hiking trails. Be aware that if you plan to rely on your phone, service is not reliable throughout the park. I recommend arriving early to beat the crowds especially on weekends or when the weather is more inviting. There is a visitor and information building with bathrooms and some information on the park and animals and land but stop on your way in because with a one-way route you won’t have another opportunity. We spent about 4 hours in the park and hit a few of the highlights, stopped at the scenic overlooks and hiked 4 different trails. Check park hours as well because they vary with the seasons. We will be back to explore the area more but the time we spent gave us time to explore the park and hit the highlights.
2. Calico Hills
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By BostonExplorer32
A recently upgraded boardwalk that's wheelchair accessible takes you around the basin with beautiful views of multi-colored rock formations and excellent signage explaining the history, geology, and animal life. There are also more demanding trails, as well as bouldering for the more adventurous. Clean bathrooms and shaded picnic tables off parking lot. Well-marked right turn off Red Rock Canyon Road, about a mile before you get to the Visitor Center. No fee. Worth a visit.
3. Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
We are a lifetime care facility for all sorts of animals from domestic to exotic. Our mission is to provide an enriched, healthy living environment for our animals and to provide for educational opportunities for people to learn about the amazing species that inhabit our planet.
4. Clark County Wetlands Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 196 reviews
Reviewed By Wanderlust81506 - Grand Junction, United States
If you need a break from the glitz and glam, this spot is really cool. A truly beautiful facility erected within an awesome natural spot with a mix of desert and wetland/stream areas. Great set of trails for nature walks and bird watching as well.
5. Springs Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 712 reviews
The Springs Preserve is a 180-acre cultural institution designed to commemorate Las Vegas’ dynamic history and to provide a vision for a sustainable future. The Preserve features museums, galleries, outdoor concerts and events, colorful botanical gardens and an interpretive trail system that meanders through a scenic wetland habitat.Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1978, the Preserve is located approximately 3 miles west of downtown Las Vegas. The Preserve is known as the birthplace of Las Vegas and represents one of the richest and most unique cultural and biological resources in Southern Nevada.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Springs Preserve in Las Vegas, which is built around the original water source for the city, consists of 180 acres dedicated to colorful desert botanical gardens, museum galleries, outdoor concert and event venues, an indoor theater, history photo gallery and a series of nature walking trails that meander through a wetland habitat. Located about three miles west of downtown Las Vegas, at 333 South Valley View Boulevard, Springs Preserve opened in 2007. It is owned and operated by the Las Vegas Valley Water District. It shows people how to live in the desert environment and how to take advantage of what is available. Among the major exhibits are the Nevada State Museum, which describes the development of Las Vegas and the natural history of the area, four uniquely themed trails encompass more than 1.8 miles of picturesque landscapes, and the Desert Living Center, which uses sustainable architecture, interactive exhibits and programming to show Las Vegas residents how to conserve water and live sustainably in the desert.
6. Desert National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Desert National Wildlife Refuge is the largest refuge in the lower 48 states. It was established in 1936 for conservation of wildlife habitat and particularly for desert bighorn sheep. Access to the Visitor Center is via Corn Creek Road (paved road) from US 95. The visitor center is open 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Thursday - Monday; but trails are open daily, daylight hours only. Access beyond the visitor center to the rest of the refuge requires a high clearance vehicle with good tires. Roads are infrequently maintained and can be hazardous. Cell coverage is extremely limited so do not rely on this for communication purposes.
Reviewed By romazzino - West Palm Beach, United States
This awesome refuge located north of Las Vegas is the largest wildlife refuge outside of Alaska. It is a great activity away from the Las Vegas strip where you can immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of the Southwest and the Nevada desert. At the LEED certified visitor center A volunteer agreed to see you and there is a small exhibit where you can learn about the history of the area and includes some very nice walking paths some of which are short snd some that may take 4+ hours. There is also a more primitive experience beyond the Corn Creek visitor center however four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended if wanting to explore beyond the center.
7. Flamingo Wildlife Habitat
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,369 reviews
Reviewed By cjp82 - Wrexham, United Kingdom
My wife and I took a walk around the flaming wildlife habitat and really enjoyed the tranquility and break from the hustle and bustle of the strip. Lots of pretty birds to see not only flamingos they also have some huge koi karp which were great to see while walking around the gardens
8. Calico 1
9. Friends of the Wild
Friends of the Wild is a non-profit educational animal facility. We believe in conservation through education. Your up-close and personal encounters with our animals will inspire you to to support and understand wildlife conservation.
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