Category: Nevada Federal

Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge. 
Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is  part of the Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex.   “The unique geology of the Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge makes it an important location for native wildlife. There are five major thermal springs in Moapa valley, three of which are located within refuge boundaries. The warm springs habitat supports many unique species.”
Here is the Refuge website.  Brochure Call 702-515-5225 for information and hours.  The refuge is closed during the summer.  Satellite view map
A 0.5 mile loop trail provides interpretive information.

Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge
” Pahranagat NWR’s lakes, marshes, wet meadows and tall cottonwood trees are a stunning contrast to the surrounding desert.”  “Five habitat types located within the refuge’s 5,382 acres provide for a stunning array of flora and fauna.”   Brochure Map   Here is the Refuge website.    Phone 775-725-3417 or 702-515-5450.
Pahranagat Lake (upper) spillway walk is a 0.6 mile round trip loop as described by AllTrails as “Good for all skill levels.”
? Pahranagat Lake Upper Loop.  LocalHikes.com describes this as 4.83 miles and easy, but with some “difficult spots”.  Try calling  to find out how much of the trail is truly easy.
Information provided by staff: “One ADA trail near the visitor center that is about 200 yrd long.  One ADA ramp down to a marsh area and a short wood deck. However, the parking there is not ADA.”  Try calling Tim Parker at 775-725-3417 ext. 101 for more information.

Toiyabe-Humboldt National Forest
“The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest’s spectacular 6.3 million acres makes it the largest national forest in the lower 48 states. Located in Nevada and a small portion of eastern California, the Forest offers year-round recreation of all types.”
Carson Ranger District For maps and literature about the district, you can call Lindsay Pulliam at 775-882-2766.   Here is the Forest website.   

Tahoe Meadows Trail is a 1.2 mile loop off the Mount Rose Highway.   No flowers when we were there in October, but pretty anyway.  Elevation is about 9000′.

Genoa Trail system includes two easy hikes at the Nature Conservancy’s River Ranch: “…The East Brockliss Loop is a 0.7 mile, nearly flat, natural surface trail with two short 24” wide boardwalks over water part of spring.”
 The West Fork Trail is a 2-mile long, flat and wide trail also used occasionally as a ranch road that connects Genoa Lane and Muller Lane.”  From Jeremy Vican, VP Trail Operations, “This on the River Fork Ranch Nature Conservancy property, a part of the Genoa Trail System most easily accessed from Genoa Lane.”
Genoa Vista Trail as described by the Carson Valley Trails Association, ” This is an approximate 1.3-mile ..trail between the town of Genoa and David Walley’s Hot Spring Resort.”  and is fully paved in the town of Genoa.
From Jeremy Vican:
Fay-Luther Trail system.  “The interpretive trail on Fay-Luther Trail System [BLM description] is the most accessible trail on that system. It is an interpretive loop, definitely not wheelchair accessible because of sandy soils, but easily doable for children and elderly.”
“Clear Creek Trail is a gentle grade…,not wheelchair accessible though.”

“Bently-Kirman Tract Trail is flat, but a natural trail with cattle present, so not wheelchair friendly but very easy to do by most anyone else.”

Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
Here is the Refuge website.  Brochure   Map
“Year-round hiking is permitted along designated refuge roads and trails. Refuge boardwalks provide an up-close view of the springs, fish, and plants of Ash Meadows without disturbing the fragile habitat.”
? The photos of the boardwalks look as if they are wheelchair accessible, but you had better call 775 372-5435 to be sure.

Desert National Wildlife Refuge
“Encompassing six major mountain ranges and seven distinct life zones, Desert NWR showcases the abundance and variety of nature that can be found in Southern Nevada, all just a short drive from Las Vegas.”
  Map Here is the Refuge website.  Phone 1-702-879-6110 (the 1 is required)
Corn Creek Trail System Note: This trail is being repaired (2019) and is not currently accessible. Call to learn current conditions.   Map the Bighorn (0.4 mile) , Jack Rabbit ( 0.1 mile) and Coyote (0.3 mile) loops are all accessible.  Whispering Ben (0.1 mile) is rated easy. The Corn Creek Field Station ….”can be reached by traveling north on U.S. Highway 95 approximately 25 miles from downtown Las Vegas”.

Oxbow Nature Study Area
“Oxbow Nature Study Area is located on the Truckee River, one mile from downtown Reno. This site serves the public as the State of Nevada model for Wildlife Education and Aquatic Education programs offered by the Nevada Department of Wildlife.”
Here is the Area’s website.   Phone  775-334-3808  
Described by the Lahontan Audubon Society:
“Oxbow Nature Study Area is one of the few relatively intact riparian areas along the Truckee River in Reno. It is characterized by mature cottonwoods, Russian olive trees, willows, dense brush piles, and a small pond with thick cattails. A [one third mile] wheelchair-accessible boardwalk begins near the Interpretive Center.”   Reviewed on Yelp,  AllTrails.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area
“With striking landscapes and brilliant blue waters, this year-round playground spreads across 1.5 million acres of mountains, canyons, valleys and two vast lakes. See the Hoover Dam from the waters of Lake Mead or Lake Mohave, or find solitude in one of the park’s nine wilderness areas.”
Here is the Area’s website.   Page of links to maps.  Accessibility  Call 702-293-8990 for information.
River Mountains Loop Trail  35.3 miles from Boulder City to Henderson.  As described on TrailLink      “The surrounding River Mountains are home to one of the largest bighorn sheep populations in Nevada”.
?   Historic Railroad Trail 3.7 miles from trailhead to Hoover Dam Parking Garage.  “The Historic Railroad Trail is easily accessed either near the Alan Bible Visitor Center or via the Hoover Dam parking garage. It is an easy hike and has great panoramic views of Lake Mead, Boulder Basin, and Fortification Hill.”  Soft sand may be a problem in places.  Tunnel #3 is closed.
?  Bluffs Trail  Jim Boone of birdandhike.com describes this trail as ” a nice, relaxing, 0.9-mile stroll across the desert to a low summit overlooking all of the surrounding territory.”  Judging from this youtube video of the trail by bigs2020, you would be wise to have trekking poles for balance.  There are some pretty rocky stretches.

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
 Red Rock Canyon, 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip, offers “… a 13-mile scenic drive, miles of hiking trails, rock climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking, road biking, picnic areas, nature observing and visitor center…”
Here is the Area’s website.  Phone  702-515-5350    Accessibility
Trails described by the Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association  Trails described in Bird and Hike.com  Map of Day Hikes
The 0.25 mile round trip Overlook trail goes to a view of the Canyon.

Red Spring Boardwalk trail in Calico Canyon is a 1/2 mile boardwalk loop which  “starts in a picnic area, switchbacks gently up a hillside beneath towering Velvet Ash trees, and then makes a wide loop around an alkali meadow to Red Spring, which is at the far side of the meadow from the top of the hillside. Shaded benches provide pleasant places to watch swallows flying over the meadows…”)  Map and illustrations by Bird and Hike.com
Moenkopi Loop  is a 2 mile loop which “…starts at the visitor center and traverses a prominent limestone ridge.” There are “panoramic views of the Wilson Cliffs..”
Lost Creek- Children’s Discovery is a 3/4 mile self-guided interpretive trail rated as easy.

Fire Ecology Trail is an easy 3/4 mile loop through a 1997 prescribed burn area.