Pick
Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex
9 May, 2007 - 22:35 — MattThe Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex consists of four related areas within two hours of LV. The Moapa Valley NWR is not currently open to the public. You can see information about the other three below.
Hedgehog Cactus - Corn Creek Field Station
Mojave National Preserve
19 April, 2008 - 23:09 — Matt
Mojave National Preserve, about 1.5 hours southwest of LV, features a rich variety of desert environments. Paved and bladed roads make much of the hiking, camping, sightseeing, and wildlife accessible without an SUV. At this time of year, I found the desert in bloom, the Joshua trees in flower, and the desert tortoises active.
Kelso Dunes
Desert National Wildlife Refuge
7 May, 2007 - 21:09 — Matt
Desert National Wildlife Refuge is located in the Mojave north of LV, with three 4WD access points off Highways 93 and 95. Visitors are on their own and should be well researched and equipped for the backcountry. This year's forays were scouting trips for future expeditions.
Recovering Yucca Forest - Mormon Well Road
Red Rock Canyon
25 August, 2006 - 02:06 — MattRed Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is <1 hr. outside of Las Vegas. It features a scenic loop drive and hikes of various lengths and challenges.
View Coming Out of Icebox Canyon
Valley of Fire
16 August, 2006 - 05:00 — MattValley of Fire State Park is ~1 hr. outside of LV, with scenic drives and short hikes featuring unique scenery and native American petroglyphs. Popular Hollywood 'alien planet' landscape. Spectacular at sunrise/sunset.
Ash Meadows
11 August, 2006 - 05:00 — Matt
2+ hours outside of LV, on the way to Death Valley, is the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Springs fueled by the underground Amargosa River create oases and provide habitat for endangered species of desert pupfish. The lush vegetation and tropical-colored fish are a striking contrast to the surrounding alkaline uplands of the Mojave desert.
Point of Rocks Spring
Death Valley
6 August, 2006 - 05:00 — Matt
Death Valley National Park has a severe and subtle beauty that takes at least a couple of days to appreciate. Go during the cooler weather when you can hike around; it was already getting too hot in late April. ~3 hours from LV.
Mesquite Dunes near Stovepipe Wells
Zion National Park
1 August, 2006 - 05:00 — Matt
Zion's spectacular geography delivers drives, hiking, and camping of all varieties and challenges. ~3 hrs. out of LV on a drive that crosses the desert and ascends up onto the Colorado plateau via the Virgin River Canyon.
Heading Into Zion Narrows
Rhyolite Townsite
21 July, 2006 - 05:00 — Matt
Rhyolite is an almost-ghost of a mining town, featuring an unusual mix of historical buildings and contemporary outdoor sculpture. It's off NV HWY 374, one of the routes in and out of Death Valley.
Sculpture at Rhyolite Townsite
Nevada Test Site
16 July, 2006 - 05:00 — Matt
The Nevada Test Site on Nellis Air Force base is a bizarre landscape of craters, ruins, and other artifacts from over 900 atomic bomb tests. Free day-long tours of the Nevada Test Site are given about eight times a year, departing from LV. Book early! No cameras allowed.
