Lake Mead Birding Trail

This day trip focuses on riparian areas in the desert. Visit the swampy Muddy River delta at Overton Wildlife Management Area and a couple of springs, some dry desert, and a creek along Lake Mead. Pack a lunch or eat at one of the marinas at the lake.

From downtown, drive north on Interstate-15 for about an hour to Exit #93. Turn right (south) onto Highway 169 and drive south to the town of Logandale. About 3.6 miles south of the Interstate, turn left (east) on Bowman Road and drive for a minute or two to Bowman Reservoir. Spend a few minutes checking the lake and the shrubs for waterfowl and passerines.

Link to Birding Trail Northeast Map.

Return to Highway 169 and drive south to the south end of the town of Overton. About 1.5 miles south of the Lost City Museum, turn left (east) onto Waterfowl Road and drive under the Overton Wildlife Management Area entrance sign. Follow the dirt road southward for about 0.3 miles to the parking area by the Hunter Check Station. If it is not hunting season, plan to spend a few hours birding here; otherwise, bird the staff housing area and plan to spend less time here (people can watch birds during hunting season).

From there, continue south into Lake Mead National Recreation Area on Highway 169, which is now Northshore Road. Stop at Blue Point Spring and Rogers Spring. These small islands of green in the vast sea of desert scrub attract birds from far and wide, although birding is best during migration. Continue south on Northshore Road to Redstone Picnic Area (note: this links to a hiking website). If you packed a lunch, eat it here and take the short walk around the red crags. Watch for hard-core desert species here. Continue on Northshore Road (now west) and drive for about 30 minutes to just before where the road crosses Las Vegas Wash. Take the Wetland Trail downstream from the road and end the day birding the shrubs along the creek.

Return to town by continuing on Northshore Road for a few more minutes to Lakeshore Road. Turn right (west) and drive back into town.