The deserts and hillsides around Las Vegas provide a welcome change to visitors who live in areas where the natural landscape is obscured by city buildings or multitudes of trees.
What many visitors do not know is that there are many gems within a few minutes or hours of the city worthwhile for exploring.
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| Peak at Red Rock Canyon [Zazzle Affiliate Link] |
Red Rock Canyon
The mountain ranges in the Vegas Valley are often commented upon by my clients as we are able to see them. I make sure to point out the west end marker of Red Rock Canyon for its odd shaped slope and jagged peak. It is a great way for them to get their bearings for directions. Bright sun in the morning and a closer look reveal a colorful hillside. It is one of my favorite spots for nature walks or a quick and carefree drive out of town for a bit.
There is a 13 mile, one way road loop here that is idea for cruising with car or motorbike, bicycle. Stops along the route provide day camp areas for lunch and exploring. One might catch a glimpse of a ground squirrel or two or a flying critter, one of many to inhabit the area. The ground squirrels look like chipmunks without the stripes and are a dusty, light brown in color. Foxes, road runners, burros, and long horn sheep are among the wildlife that may be spotted in the area.
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| Bonnie Springs Motel Sign |
Bonnie Springs - Old Nevada
After the canyon tour is exhausted, slip on up about two miles further west and enjoy Bonnie Springs. The small ranch features a hotel, a rustic town named Old Nevada, and a horse riding facility. There is a small restaurant and a petting zoo which is ideal for small families looking for activities in the area.
The animals are friendly, but be cautious of the deer. They are a bit skitterish at times. When my daughter Becca was a toddler, she bumped one of them and was knocked down. It stepped over her and we have sung "Becca got run over by a reindeer" to her ever since....
The peacocks will greet you in the parking lot. They are lovely with bright blue plumage and will perhaps annoy you with their screeching mating calls. If you are lucky they will do a full NBC presentation with their beautiful tail feathers. Let me leave you with a word of warning here. Do not attempt to collect feathers. They are carefully guarded. I believe they are said to be bad luck, anyhow.
For more about Bonnie Springs by this author - A Visit to Bonnie Springs
http://las-vegas-tourist-attractions.blogspot.com/2016/07/a-visit-to-bonnie-springs-nevada.html
For more about Bonnie Springs by this author - A Visit to Bonnie Springs
http://las-vegas-tourist-attractions.blogspot.com/2016/07/a-visit-to-bonnie-springs-nevada.html
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| Your Tour Guide of Bonnie Springs Ranch Majestic Peacock Gifts and Prints on Zazzle |
Mount Charleston - Lodge, Resort, and Camping
Mount Charleston is about an hour from the heart of the city of Las Vegas, Nevada. The mountain peak sits at around 11,000 feet. This is a fact many do not know about our area. This elevation will carry and hold snow for a few months beginning in late Fall. It is a fabulous winter haven for recreation. Skiing, snowboarding, inner tubing, and snowball fights are just a few of the adventures one may partake of while visiting between mid November and late April. The snow is assisted by a machine designed to toss artificial flakes onto the mountain slopes if adequate snowfall does not occur.
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| In and Around the Mt. Charleston Lodge. |
Reserve a cabin at the Lodge on Mount Charleston or stay in the rustic Resort. If roughing it is a familiar theme with family outings, Hilltop Campground is just a few minutes drive from the Resort. It features many sites for tents and trailers alike. There are trails and woods to explore and nature scenes to capture the attention. The valley view is stunning and the trees are simply nature at its finest. Visit the upper trails near the ski lift and learn about Bristlecone Pines, some of the oldest living trees in the country. Information boards and images line most of the walking trails and are instructional as well as entertaining.
Two years ago our hills to the northwest were lit up with a devastating fire. The main tour area has remained unharmed, thankfully. Mt. Charleston Memories are among my favorite camping trips. The mountain is a spectacular get away for weekends and I enjoyed several years of girl's camp here when I was a teenager.
I hope someday you can enjoy these areas the way we do. Take one day on your visiting schedule and experience the real Nevada. There is a lot to see outside of the Las Vegas Strip.
Thank you for visiting!
For more about camping in and around Nevada see these posts on my sister blog Prep123
http://preparedness123.blogspot.com/2015/09/camping-on-mt-charleston-with-dog-and.html
http://preparedness123.blogspot.com/2015/09/camping-with-dog-and-dutch-oven-part-two.html
