Home developers are quick to clear out the little bits of open land left in Las Vegas and Henderson, but locals and tourists alike can take solace in knowing that there is at least one stretch of barren desert and natural preservation that will never be developed over. Las Vegas' Springs Preserve offers over 180-acres of attractions focused to the conservation of desert life. The Springs Preserve is equipped with a full-sized biological garden, plenty of educational entertainment for children, and even access to two museums -- the Nevada State and Origen Museums.
Best and worst time to go to the Springs Preserve
There are a lot of outdoor exhibits in the Springs Preserve, making it best to visit during the fall and spring. Visitors should look to avoid traversing the preserve during Las Vegas' more heated months of June through mid-September. The Springs Preserve puts on fantastical holiday displays for both Christmas and Halloween.
Must see/do at the Springs Preserve
Luckily for visitors, the Springs Preserve offers plenty to see and do. At the top of everybody's list should be the Nevada State Museum, which gives in-depth history to the creation of Las Vegas, early Native American tribes that inhabited the desert, and the great prehistoric beasts that once claimed these lands. The Origen Museum gives another look at the nature of Nevada, including a beautiful exhibit that uses over 5,000 gallons of water to recreate a flash flood.
Learn about sustainability and how to live an eco-friendly lifestyle in the Sustainability Gallery, which features a life-sized garbage truck turned movie theater. A younger crowd can crawl through a compost pile to learn the benefits of the process and learn about sustainability through interactive video games. Complimenting the Sustainability Gallery is DesertSol, a 754-square foot that showcases innovation in solar energy.
Finally the desert trails and Butterfly Habitat let you get up close and personal with nature. The trails offer 3.65 miles of untouched trails which show signs of thousands of years of history. In the Butterfly Habitat, you will experience how butterflies and local plant-life work together to create a steady ecosystem.
Admission to the Springs Preserve
Admission to the Springs Preserve includes access to the Nevada State and Origen Museums, as well as entry to the Sustainability Gallery, the Butterfly Habitat, DesertSol, and the trails. General admissions ranges from $10 and is generally cheaper for Nevada Residents and students. The Springs Preserve also offers a military discount with appropriate ID.
Parking and public transportation to the Springs Preserve
Parking is provided by the Springs Preserve and is located right outside the main entrance. A bus terminal across the street at the Meadows Mall is the most convenient stop for public transportation.
Food at the Springs Preserve
The Springs Preserve has an on-site cafe, the Divine Cafe. Expect typical cafe fair such as sandwiches, soup, and salads with the added perk of a portion of the menu devoted to pizza. A lunch for two will run around $20 to $25 with drinks and a tip. The cafe also orders a weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, with omelets, frittatas, filet mignon, and plenty of options for the kids.
Insider tip for visitors to the Springs Preserve
Keep a close eye on the Springs Preserve schedule of attractions, as it quite frequently brings in a variety of special exhibits to its resident museums. You can expect traveling exhibits that focus on anything from an up-close look at our solar system to the wonders of rich, sweet chocolate.
Author's bio: Mark is a Vegas local and freelance writer with expertise in Las Vegas nightlife, entertainment, and video gaming. Contact Mark and see more of his work at Prototype Freelancing.
Davis Creek Park is located just off of Highway 395 South about 20 minutes south of downtown Reno. The park is located in East Washoe Valley and sits at the bottom of the Eastern Sierra mountain range. It is home to a small fishing pond, picnic areas, a campground and the trailhead for the Ophir Creek trail that climbs several thousand feet up to the Mount Rose summit.
Parking and public transportation at Davis Creek Park
The park has about 15 parking spots near the trailheads and another 40 spots near the two main picnic areas. There is no public transportation to the park.
Best and worst time go to Davis Creek Park
The best time to go to the park is early morning or evening, at this time the locals chipmunks, squirrels and even some deer can be seen. It's also a good time for photography. The worst time to go to the park is in the winter. During this time, the shadow from the mountain can make the park roads and trails icy.
Admission to Davis Creek Park
Admission to the park is free. A site at the campground costs $20 per night per vehicle.
Must see/do at Davis Creek Park
For families, the small pond is full during wetter years and is great for swimming, fishing and catching frogs. The pond also has a nature trail that points out various trees and park features. For hikers, the Ophir Creek trail is a highlight and offers great views of Washoe Valley.
Other places to visit near Davis Creek Park
Just south of Davis Creek is Bowers Mansion Regional Park. This park features the historic home of an 186's gold baron, a swimming pool, playground and picnic area and lots of trees and grass.
Insider tip for visitors to Davis Creek Park
If you hike up the first two miles of the Ophir Creek trail, you will see the remnants of a massive landslide that hit the area in the 1980s. Large granite boulders will mark the slide, but it's also a great place for a picnic since it's right by the creek.
Author's bio: Christina Nellemann is writer living in Reno who regularly hikes the Ophir Creek Trail at Davis Creek. The views are pretty incredible.
