Several bird watching sites outside Las Vegas provide excellent birding for desert birds and other western species; however, they involve long travel times from Las Vegas, guarantee few extra species that can't be found closer to town, and limit the ability of visitors to maximize their birding time because of time spent in the vehicle. For Las Vegas birders looking for interesting day trips or when on the way to other places, these sites can provide excellent birding. In almost every case, the theme is water -- where there is water in the desert, there are birds.

Birding West of Las Vegas

Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Water and vegetation in the desert provide good habitat for waterfowl, hawks, migrants, and desert species. The area was set up to protect several species of endemic fish, so check the springs and running water for pupfish (1:45 from town).

Cactus Spring. Cottonwood trees and a spring pool surrounded by dry Mojave Desert scrub and mesquite thickets attract a diverse avian community. This is not a destination; it's just one of several birding sites to visit while driving on Highway 95 (0:45 from town).

China Ranch Date Farm. A date orchard along the Amargosa River, this verdant spot attracts desert birds from far and wide, plus lots of migrants in season. Bird the orchard or down along the river, but be sure to stop for a date shake (1:30 from town).

Death Valley National Park. The floor of Death Valley is an extremely dry place with little vegetation. Concentrations of birds can be found around springs, thickets, palm trees, meadows, and other places (e.g., the golf course) that provide water or cover. Death Valley is good for migrants and desert species (2:15 from town).

Pahrump, Discovery Park. A recovering golf course provides great birding for resident and migrant species near downtown Pahrump. Join Red Rock Audubon for monthly bird walks.

Shoshone and the Amargosa River. Shoshone is a small town with a bit of water and green amid a very arid desert. This isn't a birding destination, but it is a nice place for traveling birders to stop for the night and do some evening and morning birding (1:30 from town).

Tecopa Marsh. Ponds and marshes around Tecopa Hot Springs bring in birds, mostly during winter. This isn't a birding destination, but it is a good place to stop and bird while traveling through the area. Be sure to bring your bathing suit (1:30 from town).

Torrance Ranch. This Nature Conservancy area north of Beatty was established to protect springs and riparian areas at the headwaters of the Amargosa River. This is a good place to stop and look for migrants and summer residents while driving on Highway 95 (1:50 from town).

Birding Northeast of Las Vegas

Bowman Reservoir. This is a reservoir that can be good for waterfowl in the land and smaller birds in the shrubs, trees, and canal. This is not a destination; it is just a place to make a quick stop (1 hr. from town).

Gold Butte Area, Horse Spring. Sorry, renegade ranchers recently bulldozed with area. This wild, remote, and scenic area is good for a variety of desert bird species. 4WD vehicles are required to drive all the way in, or walk 1 mile from Gold Butte Road and bird the desert too (3 hrs. from town).

Gold Butte Area, Red Bluff Spring. Bird the riparian zone around the spring and outflow stream. This riparian area provides resting habitat for occasional migrants, breeding habitat for residents, and water for birds in the surrounding desert (3 hrs from town).

Gold Butte Area, Virgin River. Mesquite and shrub thickets line the Virgin River here, creating a riparian corridor that provides resting habitat for migrants and breeding habitat for residents (1-1/4 hrs from town).

Gold Butte Area, Whitney Pass Road. This wild, remote, and scenic area is good for a variety of desert species. Drive the steep Arizona Road as it climbs through several habitat zones from desert to pinyon-juniper woodlands with different species of birds (2 hrs. from town).

Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge. This was an old resort with hot springs, pools, palm trees, and brushy thickets. The USFWS is restoring the area to provide habitat for endangered fish. In the dry desert, what is good for little fish is good for birds. Birding here is good for migrants and summer residents (1.25 hrs. from town).

Pahranagat Valley. The centerpiece of this area is Pahranagat Wildlife Refuge with broad, shallow lakes, brushy thickets, bulrush and cattail marshes, and large cottonwood trees. Look for wintering waterfowl and migrants (1.5 hrs. from town).

Valley of Fire State Park. This dry desert area has spectacular red and white sandstone crags. There are a few real birding hot spots around water, but look for desert species while enjoying the scenery and petroglyphs (1 hr. from town).

Warm Springs Natural Area. Riparian area in the Moapa Valley that provides habitat for more than 200 species of birds and endangered fish.

Birding South of Las Vegas

Pine Spring. A bit of water at the end or a rough road in the mountains brings in birds from far and wide.

Searchlight City Park. A small urban park with trees, grass, a bit of water, and Curve-billed Thrashers.

Wee Thump Wilderness Area. A big area to look for a few Gilded Flickers and Curve-billed Thrashers. Wander the area, experience the Joshua Tree forest, and watch for the desert birds that live there.

Happy birding! All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
; Last updated 221215