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Death Valley National Park -
Covering 3,000 square miles of desert in California
and Nevada, Death Valley is the
largest national park in the lower 48 states. Located
less than two hours from Las Vegas, Death Valley
offers breathtaking landscapes, colorful history and
the lowest elevation point n the Western Hemisphere.
Floyd Lamb State Park - Originally known
as Tule Springs, this park was and early water stop
for Native Americans. It later became a
privately-owned working ranch, as well as a guest/dude
ranch in the 1950īs. In addition to the Tule Springs
Ranch Historic Area, the park offers tree-shade groves
alongside four small fishing lakes. The park is
available for day use only.
Grand Canyon National Park - Located in
northern Arizona, close to the borders of Utah and
Nevada, this national park is home to the
Grand Canyon, created some 5 million years
ago and encompassing 1,904 square miles. The Colorado
River which flows through the canyon drains water from
seven states. Recreational pursuits are vast,
including hiking, camping, biking and fishing.
Commercial air carriers and tour buses serve visitors
from the Las Vegas area.
Hoover Dam - Hoover Dam was built in the
1930īs at a cost of $160 million. The dam, located 40
miles southeast of Las Vegas on U.S. 93, turned the
raging waters of the Colorado River into the still
waters of Lake Mead. Government guides conduct various
tours year-round.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area - As
the largest man-made lake in the world, Lake Mead
extends 110 miles up from Hoover Dam.
The recreation area covers some 1.5 million acres and
attracts more than 8 million visitors annually for
swimming, boating, skiing, fishing and camping.
Fishing is open year-round and anglers harvest large
numbers of game fish each year.
Mt. Charleston - Located 45 miles
northwest of
Las Vegas, Mt. Charleston is situated among some
300,000 acres of forestland in the Las Vegas Ranger
District. The area includes 52 miles of hiking trails,
160 picnic spots and 150 campsites in seven
campgrounds and RV camps. Recreational activities
include horseback riding and snow skiing.
Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park
- The first permanent non-native settlers in
the Las Vegas
Valley were a group of Mormon missionaries who
built an adobe fort along Las Vegas Creek in 1855.
They successfully farmed the area by diverting water
from the creek. Today, the park includes a remnant of
the original adobe fort, which serves as a visitorīs
center with interpretive displays.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
- Red rock formations and desert scenery
attract thousands of bicycle enthusiasts to the 13
mile loop road that winds along the western border of
the Las Vegas
Valley. Other activities include rock climbing,
hiking and auto touring.
Spring Mountain Ranch State Park -
Historic Spring Mountain Ranch is located within the
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, beneath
the colorful cliffs of the magnificent Wilson Range.
The many springs in these mountains provided water for
Paiute Indians and later brought mountain men and
early settlers to the area. This 520 acre oasis was
developed into a combination working ranch and
luxurious retreat by a string of owners who have given
the area long and colorful history.
Valley of Fire State Park - Dedicated in
1935 as Nevadaīs first state park, this 56,000 acre
wilderness area features colorful, extraordinary rock
formations, Native American petroglyphs and year-round
campsites. |
