A Visit to Bonnie Springs Nevada

Visiting Bonnie Springs

West of the valley near Las Vegas is a little spot known as Bonnie Springs. It hosts a small restaurant, a petting zoo, and a rustic town attraction called Old Nevada. Enjoy a melodrama in the town, a great breakfast or burger in the restaurant, or a horseback ride. Stay at the resort motel overnight or just make it a day trip. Unwind and relax around the duck pond and nature scenes. The view of nearby Red Rock from the west side is wonderful!

The ranch we know today was started in 1952 by Bonnie McGaugh who sadly passed away on January 29, 2016. It has been a favorite time out for locals and visitors alike. The attraction is a great way to wrap up a trip to Red Rock Canyon after a day hiking and touring. The area is serene and pleasant except for the occasional calls of the peacocks wandering the property. All in all it is a neat little hideaway.

Old Nevada

This rustic town's setup is host to a melodrama featuring old timey cowboys, a sheriff, and some bank robbers. There is a shootout, a capture, and a hanging. All of it is staged, of course, but the fun reflects the Old West right in the streets of a model western town. There are small shops inside that mimic life in the wild west. Common merchants found around the 1800's time period are represented. You will find a telegraph office, stables, mercantile shops, and a black smith.

Old Nevada

Virtual Tour and Train Ride - Bonnie Springs Ranch

The property has been featured on ghost hunts for paranormal activity!

The Duck Pond

My favorite part of a visit to Bonnie Springs is the small duck pond which is fed by a natural spring in the area. This water attraction features turtles ambling up to the rock formation in the center and a variety of waterfowl. Ducks wander aimlessly across the surface and dive into the murky depths of this shallow pond. The sound of the water is relaxing and a great place to enjoy an after dinner nature scene.

Duck Pond  - Bonnie Springs

Female Mallard Duck

Peacock Sanctuary

One of the best features of the Ranch are the peacocks waltzing around the property. Their screeches announce new visitors and invite their females to approve them for the mating season. Their lovely tails are a bright collage of teardrop marked feathers in lovely iridescent blues and greens. These lovely birds are all over the interior property. The one below is the guardian of the parking lot. 

Did you know: Peacocks or peafowl are not native to the States. They are imported from India or Sri Lanka. 

Peacock Guide - You will be greeted at the parking lot by one or more peacocks that live on the ranch.
This variety of bird is stunning. Please, do not collect tail feathers unless you ask permission. 

For hours of operation and information on motel reservations 

visit the website

http://bonniesprings.com/

The Majestic Peacock
by Maria Burgess

Camping Early Spring in the Valley of Fire

Campground Destination - Valley of Fire

Early Spring and late Fall are the ideal times to visit The Valley of Fire area in Southern Nevada. The air is cool and crisp at this time and the temperatures comfortable. The nights get a little chilly, but they are pleasant with a thick scattering of stars overhead and a roaring campfire. It is a perfect stargazing space.  A Springtime expedition will delight nature lovers with a flower show on the desert floor and Autumn will impress with its own beautiful array of color.

When inviting several friends out for the first camping trip of the year and it was decided that the Valley of Fire would be an ideal setting. The park was not on my list of places I had visited and I was excited to make this short journey from the city of Las Vegas where I lived.

About The Park

Visiting The Valley of Fire is permissible year round. The campgrounds are open and so are the trails. The road in and around the park is winding jaunt through desert wonder. It would be a perfect place for a day cruise on a motorcycle or in a convertible. Red stone formations are scattered across the entire park. 

Valley of Fire (Zazzle Image)

The Flora and Fauna

Catch the desert blooms around Easter weekend. The foliage will amaze and delight. The Beaver Tail Cactus puts out one of the most stunning pink ever seen in the flower world. The heady greens of plant life in the Mojave Desert are dotted and streaked with neon florals. The scene is rivaled only by Las Vegas, which is about 70 miles away.

Beavertail Cactus Blossoms (Zazzle)

Camping Valley of Fire

Camping is most comfortable during the cooler seasons. The summer temperatures would be unbearable for more than an afternoon or early morning visit. The camp areas fill up very fast so get to the park early for a spot. This happened to be the last available space in the park on Easter weekend. Restroom facilities and showers are scattered throughout the park, so the camping does not have to be roughing it to the extreme.

Camping out is recommended during these months: March to May and September to November. If you are to visit any other time of year it will be either too hot or rather cold. Risks of health issues are extremely high during summer. Heat kills quietly. Bring plenty of water. 

Hiking Trails 

There are unique walking and hiking trails through, around, and over the rocks. The sand is really soft and deep in many of the tour areas so expect a nice workout while catching the beautiful scenery. The picturesque views will exhaust batteries and fill up photo galleries quickly so plan images carefully.

For additional information on the park visit the nationa park's website:
http://parks.nv.gov/parks/valley-of-fire-state-park/

Flowers
by Maria Burgess

Valley of Fire
by Maria Burgess