Vegas Free-for-All - What is your Vegas "Hidden Gem" ?

What is your Vegas "Hidden Gem" ?

forkushV

Mar 17, 2015
4:15pm

Quote

Originally posted by: CowboyKell

Quote
Originally posted by: ILove2ndGrade!
Hi,
These are great places, some of which have been mentioned by other people.

Hemenway Park in Boulder City- I always hope to see the bighorn sheep, rabbits and roadrunners that come down from the hills to graze on green grass at the park.

Red Rock Canyon scenic drive- this is beautiful in the morning and there are many places to hike or just pull over and enjoy the scenery.

Aloha,
Jennifer

Early in the mornings seems the best time to see the sheep. There also seem to be more in the fall months than any other time of year.
And be sure to tell any little ones you might have with you that those are NOT chocolate candies all over the ground.

My favorite way to see the bighorns is to paddle right up to them. My hidden gem is kayaking out of Willow Beach, AZ, just an hour from the Strip. If you don't have your own, kayaks can be rented for $10 per hour. Even better, hire an outfitter (like Desert Adventures) to cart you down to the bottom of the dam just below the bridge. It's $60 for the day including kayak rental, plus $17 to the Feds for the permit. Then it's an easy 12 miles of flatwater down Blackwater Canyon, including hot springs, a 130 degree steam cave, historical remnants from the dam's construction, and if you're lucky, a few critters. Guided tours might be a better choice for some, because the unguided rentals are "paddle or perish."

I could have gotten even closer for this shot, except that the chihuahua on my bow was getting ready to launch herself into the water.

On the other hand, these guys don't let you get very close at all. And yes, he was peeing in the river.

Boilerman

Mar 17, 2015
9:55pm

Block User

Thanks Forkie. I'm arriving Vegas in August a day or two prior to my friends arrival, and I might give this a try. How long does the guided trip take?

Rock'n Rick

Mar 17, 2015
10:13pm

Block User

Quote

Originally posted by: forkushV

My hidden gem is kayaking out of Willow Beach, AZ, just an hour from the Strip.

Thanks Forkie, ............. great pictures too

Rick

forkushV

Mar 18, 2015
2:11am

Block User

Quote

Originally posted by: Boilerman
Thanks Forkie. I'm arriving Vegas in August a day or two prior to my friends arrival, and I might give this a try. How long does the guided trip take?

I've never done a guided tour, but I'd plan on a full day, and they also have overnight camping. I've seen tours both arriving and departing, and I've been impressed by both Desert Adventures and Evolution Expeditions, and their customers seem to be very happy. Those paddling canoes seem even happier, but that's probably because canoes have more room to stow beer. Read their Yelp reviews for a lot more detail.

For both guided and unguided paddles, you have to reserve in advance, especially for Saturdays, because the permits from the National Park Service sell out quickly. When you're considering temperatures, subtract about 15 degrees, because the water is 54 degrees year-round, and for much of the way there are towering cliffs, so it's easy to stay in the shade. The high temperature was 95 on the day I went, and it felt comfortable to me.

I'm already booked for a day in June. Here are my stats from last August, which includes about two miles of hiking in a few of the hot springs.

CowboyKell

Mar 18, 2015
7:04am

Block User

Quote

Originally posted by: forkushV

Quote
Originally posted by: CowboyKell
Quote
Originally posted by: ILove2ndGrade!
Hi,
These are great places, some of which have been mentioned by other people.

Hemenway Park in Boulder City- I always hope to see the bighorn sheep, rabbits and roadrunners that come down from the hills to graze on green grass at the park.

Red Rock Canyon scenic drive- this is beautiful in the morning and there are many places to hike or just pull over and enjoy the scenery.

Aloha,
Jennifer

Early in the mornings seems the best time to see the sheep. There also seem to be more in the fall months than any other time of year.
And be sure to tell any little ones you might have with you that those are NOT chocolate candies all over the ground.

Very cool. Definitely on the list. I won't say "bucket list" because it looks like something I will want to do often.

Dan Svatass

Mar 18, 2015
7:14am

Block User

The Suite Holidays casino suite tour put on by Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada each December. You get to spend hours leisurely wandering a selection of the very best suites in town, like the patio at this 9,000 sq. ft. villa at Caesars,

while feasting on fantastic hors d'oeuvres and cocktails.

And yet somehow, it's even better than that sounds. And all for a good cause.

ILove2ndGrade!

Mar 18, 2015
10:56am

Block User

Great pictures ForkushV! Is that a coyote urinating in the water or a large desert fox?
Aloha,
Jen

JM2300

Mar 18, 2015
11:18am

Block User

If it's a "he" coyote I'd say it's doing something other than peeing in the old Colorado Bidet. lol

Whatever, they are great pics and thanks for sharing.

badgerman

Mar 18, 2015
12:56pm

Block User

Playing video poker at Main Street Station and drinking some of there home brews.

jphelan

Mar 18, 2015
1:17pm

Block User

I went on a tour of Hoover Dam and the surrounding area on a Groupon a few years back and it was very enjoyable! See link below for the company we used. They left from the Hacienda Casino near Hoover Dam:

Black Canyon and Willow Beach Tours

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