Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Visitors to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area can enjoy a 13-mile scenic drive through this park, which encompasses 197,000 acres of the Mojave desert. Seasonal camping is allowed from September 1 to May 31 with hiking, bicycling and picnic areas available year round. The Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center located in the park has information and maps detailing the hiking and bicycling trails. As of August 2009, admission to the park is $2 per motorcycle and $5 per automobile.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
HCR 33 Box 5500
Las Vegas NV 89124
(702) 515-5350
www.redrockcanyonlv.org
Springs Preserve
Springs Preserve features an 8-acre botanical garden and four hiking trails, which are available to the public at no charge from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or dusk, whichever comes first. The desert living center and the Origen exhibit are also located at Springs Preserve, and, as of August 2009, admission to both of these facilities is $18.95 for adults, $17.95 for seniors and students and $10.95 for children 5 to 17. Nevada residents receive reduced admission of $9.95 for adults, $8.95 for seniors and students and $4.95 for children aged 5 to 17. Children under 5 receive free admission. The desert living center teaches visitors how to protect the environment and provides education on sustainable or "green" building methods. The Origen exhibit includes desert wildlife such as kangaroo rats, desert tortoises and bats. There are also interactive video games about conservation and exhibits detailing Las Vegas geological and biological history.
Springs Preserve
333 S. Valley View Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89107
(702) 822-7700
www.springspreserve.org/html/home.html
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
The Lake Mead National Recreation Area includes more than 1.5 million acres of land and is located about 30 minutes away from Las Vegas, just outside of Boulder City, Nevada. The park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is an ideal spot for boating, swimming, hiking, picnics, camping and fishing. As of August 2009, admission to the park is $5 per car or $3 per person for hikers and bicyclists.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
601 Nevada Way
Boulder City, NV 89005
(702) 293-8990
www.nps.gov/lame
