Springs Preserve in Las Vegas

What are the highlights of Springs Preserve?

Visitors to Springs Preserve get an up-close look at the area's natural and human history, going back thousands of years. The preserve offers itinerary options that will fit well with virtually any schedule. There are many interesting attractions that set this preserve apart from others in Las Vegas.

DesertSol is a 754-sq-ft home powered entirely by solar energy, showcasing sustainable design and technology. The Botanical Gardens house thousands of Mojave Desert cacti and succulents, as well as desert-adapted plants from 5 of the world's major deserts. The Butterfly Habitat, which is open seasonally, highlights the relationship between free-flying butterflies and desert plants.

A brief history of Springs Preserve

While Springs Preserve officially opened in the summer of 2007, it was actually listed on the National Register of Historic Places back in 1978. Before that, it was home to the Puebloans, as well as the Patayan and Nuwuvi tribes. The Spanish arrived in the late 1700s, followed by American settlers in the mid-1800s. Throughout those years, in the area that would become the preserve, the natural springs played a crucial role in survival.

Today, Springs Preserve is home to museums, art galleries, traveling exhibits, botanical gardens, and a well-developed interpretive trail system. You get to learn about the area's rich history, which started at the end of the last Ice Age (roughly 12,000 years ago). The preserve is also home to the Nevada State Museum, which opens from Tuesdays to Sundays, between 9 am to 5 pm.

During your visit, make sure to stop by the preserve’s onsite gift shop to pick up souvenirs. There’s also a café offering snacks and light meals, as well as a spacious balcony overlooking the Strip.

Good to know about Springs Preserve

Springs Preserve is about 4 miles west of Downtown Las Vegas, so you can easily get there by automobile. Bike rentals are available if you want to get a bit closer to nature and are willing to brave the desert sun. It's also possible to board a train for a 3-mile exploration of the early explorers' trek through the area.

For kids (and the kids at heart), weekends bring animal shows within the preserve's amphitheater. The Nature Exchange lets children learn about archeology and sustainability.

Because the area can get very warm during the late spring and summer, canopies are provided throughout the preserve. You can also find several water fountains, but you may want to bring your own water (or purchase it at the café or gift shop). All buildings within the preserve are air-conditioned.