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

Sweet Surprises Exploring the Southern Nevada Mountain Ranges - part one

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. 

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.

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

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. 

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

Camping on Mt Charleston with a Dog and a Dutch Oven

http://preparedness123.blogspot.com/2015/09/camping-on-mt-charleston-with-dog-and.html

Camping with a Dog and a Dutch Oven Part Two (Eagle Valley Reservoir near Pioche, Nevada)

http://preparedness123.blogspot.com/2015/09/camping-with-dog-and-dutch-oven-part-two.html