NV
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
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
Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge
30 April, 2007 - 17:01 — Matt
Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge is an oasis of lakes along Highway 93 about 80 miles north of LV. Birding, camping, and native rock art are its principal offerings, but it also contains a 4WD access into the Desert National Wildlife Refuge.
Upper Lake
Las Vegas Dunes Recreation Area
25 April, 2007 - 21:58 — Matt
The "Dunes" are more like badlands and the "Recreation Area" is a power toy playground.
Power Toy Tracks
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
Hoover Dam
26 July, 2006 - 05:00 — MattHoover Dam is worth a look if you're in that part of Lake Mead NRA. But be warned: the tourist traffic is heavy, the post-911 tour is minimal, and the declining lake doesn't produce the dynamic flow shown on the official site.
The River (Not So) Wild
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.
