Many think of the great outdoors for adventure, the wildness in the region is not only in the desert and mountains surrounding Las Vegas, NV but also can be found on the Strip in some unusual places. From Hot Springs located in remotecanyons to sharks swimming in the vicinity of South Las Vegas Boulevard and Hacienda Avenue, the range of wildlife and natural environs goes far beyond what would normally be expected.

Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge - SR 160 and Bell Vista Rd. / located outside Pahrump, NV / 775-372-5435 / Free Twenty-four rare and endangered plants and animals including the infamous pupfish make their home in Ash Meadows. Crystal Spring is open for viewing the little pupfish but there is no swimming or fishing here! Nearby the Crystal Reservoir allows boating (non-motorized) and swimming. There are nature trails and picnic facilities as well as great spots for taking wildlife photos.

Bellagio Conservatory - 3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd. / Las Vegas / 888-488-7111 Water fountains, a pagoda and over 7,500 plants are tended to in this beautiful airy conservatory. The whole thing is changed out about six to eight time a year to achieve maximum advantage of prime seasonal NVriations in plantings. Over 100 staff gardeners keep everything perfect. When visiting this attraction, check out the Chihuly glass sculpture in the lobby, it is simply amazing! (age restriction - guests must be 18 years of age to enter Bellagio)

Black Canyon River Raft Tours - Expedition Depot / US 93 into Boulder City / PHONE??? / $ Raft float tours are offered from February though November and are lead by a fully trained tour guide. Keep an eye out for eagles, bighorn sheep and other wildlife as you view the amazing geology of the canyon. Dress for the weather, swimsuits, hats and sunglasses are not unexpected in summer months and don’t forget the sunscreen. The tour takes the best part of a day, lunch will be served on a bank along side the Colorado River. This is not a white water rapids ride, but do expect to get wet!

Cedar Breaks National Monument - I-15 North to Utah SR 14 East to Utah SR 148 North / 435-586-9451 / $ This national park sits high up in the mountains almost 2 miles above sea level and as one would expect, the views are pretty spectacular. There are hiking trails, a picnic area and a guided trail walks from the Visitor Center. The canyon views with sandstone pillars and rock formations are pretty amazing, there are also Alpine forest and meadows. The park is can be a real adventure so make sure you have enough gas and bring water, food, hats, warm clothes and good walking shoes. The altitude keeps the place cool year-round and necessitates park closure during winter months.

Death Valley - U.S. 95 North to Nevada SR 267 West, take a left at Scotty’s Junction / 760-786-2331 / $ A two hour trip from Las Vegas, Death Valley is a must see destination, stark in beauty and in history. Far from being dead, the Valley is an amazing place considering it is the hottest and driest place on the continent! Sites include ghost towns; Scotty’s castle; the Racetrack - where rocks leave trails on the Valley floor; Ubehebe Crater - a volcanic landmark only a few hundred years old; Furnace Creek Ranch with it’s general store and Borax Museum and Central Valley Drive to the bottom of the Valley floor at 214 feet below sea level. Bus tours are available for those who do not wish to drive into the Valley, ask your hotel for information.

Dolphin Habitat - 3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd. (inside the Mirage) / 702-791-7777 / $ Designed as research habitat for dolphins, none of the animals have been taken from the wild for this exhibit. Only one of four pools is open to the public, however there are two viewing opportunities, from above and the 22 foot underground viewing tank.The habitat includes an artificial coral reef and sand bottom and replicates their natural surroundings as close as possible. Combination tickets for this and the Secret Garden are available.

Grand Canyon National Park -Located in Northeastern Arizona, about 300 miles southeast of Las Vegas / / $ What else can be said about the Grand Canyon beyond the sheer beauty, stunning vistas and awesome size? It is a must see location! The drive to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas is a bit long for a day trip, but while here visitors may want to plan an over night trip to one of the world’s most famous natural wonders. However, keep in mind because of eleNVtion and location, many parts of the park are inaccessible from late October through early May. Excursion tours from Las Vegas are also offered as well as airplane and helicopter over-flights of the canyon that take-off from the city, which is an ideal way to observe the canyon if one is pressed for time.

Grapevine Canyon - near Laughlin / U.S. 95 & SR 164 / 800-452-8445 / FREE An hour away from the strip, Grapevine Canyon in the Newberry Mountains is known for it’s ancient petroglyphs. Park rangers lead hikes into these remote areas and know of some of the best petroglyph creations of the early Native Americans.

Hot Springs - various locations / Lake Mead Recreation Area - 702-293-8907 / Bureau of Land Management - phone??? Hundreds of hot springs are located in Nevada and some are quite a hike from the main roads but if you are game for adventure, there will be a spring for you. Several are located in the Lake Mead Recreational Area and some are located along the Colorado below Hoover Dam, but these are just a few of the local “hot Spots”! Hot springs are protected and there are several rules that need to be observed before entering the springs, including prohibitions on soap, glass, trash, graffiti and removing indigenous species. Two precautions to be heeded include not submerging one’s head in the springs and while hiking in to a spring, watching for snakes which are more prevalent in summer months.

Lake Mead Recreation Area - 601 National Highway / Boulder City / 702-293-8907 / $ With over 800 miles of shoreline, Lake Mead and it’s watershed is an abundantly huge recreational facility. Created in the 1930s by the building of Hoover Dam, Mead is the largest man-made lake in the Americas. Established as a national recreation area in 1964, Lake Mead offers boating, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities, as well as various sightseeing tours. The Alan Bible Visitor Center has exhibits, maps and information on the park as well as nautical charts for the lake.

MGM Grand Lion Habitat - 3799 S. Las Vegas Blvd. / Las Vegas / 702-891-1111 / FREE Watch eight descendants of MGM’s original Leo Lion as they feed, groom themselves, sleep and frolic in their huge glass enclosed habitat. Information placards reveal general lion facts about their pride and habits, go inside and find a group of cute lion cubs. Pictures of visitors with the lions can be purchased and are processed immediately.

Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural History - 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy. / Las Vegas / 702-895-3381 / FREE Located on the UNLV campus, the museum is full of the vibrant life of the desert. Live reptiles, paintings of birds, artifacts and culture of the native Indians, Mormon settlement of the area and the local flora and fauna are all covered in this fascinating museum.

Mount Charleston Recreational Area - off U.S. 95 to Lee Canyon, 35 miles northwest of Las Vegas / 702-873-8800 / $ A year-round facility, Mount Charleston offers hiking and nature trails in warm months and snow skiing as well as snow boarding at the Lee Canyon ski runs in the colder months. At 12,000 feet, Mount Charleston is the 3rd highest peak in Nevada and is located in the Toiyabe National Forest.

Red Rock Canyon National ConserNVtion Area - off SR 159 (Charleston Boulevard) / 702-363-1921 / $ Just 20 miles west of Las Vegas, the canyon was once part of an ancient sea bed and now has exposed strata dating back to 500 million years ago. Canyon walls rise 3000 feet, the floor is dotted with pinnacles and boulders in hues ranging from deep reds to white. Winding its way through the canyon, a loop road provides access to picnic and hiking areas. A visitor center offers information on wildlife, history and the geology of the area. Day and evening horseback riding trips through the canyon can be arranged through the Excalibur Hotel, fees include transportation to and from the hotel.

Secret Garden - 3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd. (inside the Mirage) / 702-791-7777 / $ - children under 10 are Free A result of a captive breeding program begun by entertainers Siegfried & Roy in cooperation with the Zoological Society of Cincinnati, this lush garden habitat is filled with endangered white tigers and even rarer white lions. Visitors may also spot such exotics as a black panther, a rare heterozygous (golden) tiger, a snow leopard and Gildah - an Asian elephant. A true conserNVtion effort, this exhibit is one of the most amazing on the Strip. Combination tickets for this and the Dolphin Habitat are available.

Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay - 3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd. / 702-632-7777 / $ A 22 foot deep “ocean” is located at Mandalay Bay on the Strip and is filled with 75 species of shark as well as exotic fish, sea turtles and other aquatic life. Several glass walled tunnels runs through the exhibit which puts you face to face with some wily and remarkable creatures. A touch tank lets one get up close and personal with the likes of baby sharks and sting rays. Above water, the “open air’ exhibit is almost as fascinating as the ‘ocean” with a wildlife environment that includes golden crocodiles, a water monitor lizard and Burmese pythons. Be assured there are plenty of expert personnel to give informative talks and answer questions.

Southern Nevada Zoological - Botanical Park - 1775 N. Rancho / Las Vegas / 702-647-4685 / $ Filled with native and exotic species, this small zoo has an impressive number of fauna and flora housed in its 2.5 acre site. Look for Elvis the alligator in a recreated prehistoric environment. Over 40 endangered species are housed here with over150 types of creatures including Barbary apes, eyelash viper from Belize, eagles, reptiles as well as rescued desert and mountain species.

Tiger Habitat at the Mirage - 3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd. (inside the Mirage) / 702-791-7777/ FREE
Siegfried & Roy have an amazing habitat at the Mirage for their gorgeous white tigers. Amid waterfalls and an all white background, the multi-million dollar exhibit was designed to give the animals a sense of security. One of the most popular attractions on The Strip and it’s Free! Look for the Mirage’s tropical fish tank, it’s a show stopper too!

Tule Springs Ranch / Floyd Lamb State Park - 9200 Tule Springs Rd.(just outside Las Vegas) / 702-486-5413 / $ Tule Spring Ranch has one of the best examples of a Pleistocene site in Western North America. In the distant and wetter past, the area was populated by large mammals, the fossil record contains the remains of bison, camels, giant sloths, horses and mammoths. Native Americans and mining prospectors have also left their mark in this region. In the second quarter of the 20th century, Tule Spring was known as a popular Dude Ranch for those waiting out the six-month residency requirement to get a “quickie” Nevada divorce.

Valley of Fire State Park - P.O. Box 515 / Overton, NV / $ Named for the fiery color of the sandstone rock formations that standout from the surrounding grey mountains, the Valley of Fire was designated as Nevada’s first State Park. As part of the low desert, summer temperatures can get quite hot, winters however are quite mild. The rock formations which include beehives, pillars and rock domes are outstanding and easily accessible from the park road. Native American petroglyphs adorn several places in the park.

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