Taking the Overlook Trail at SMRSP
Is this one of the most underrated spots in Las Vegas? I think it might be.
Spring Mountain Ranch State Park is filled with both history (Howard Hughes was once an owner of the ranch) and nature. Yet even during beautiful winter and spring weekends, this park is much less crowded than its neighbor, the Red Rock Canyon scenic loop.
Spring Mountain Ranch was one of the first parks we visited after moving to Las Vegas, and it’s still one of our favorites.
Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
A little less than a year ago, I wrote about how much we loved our visit to Valley of Fire. To my flyover-country eyes, it reminded me of Mars: red rocks in dramatic shapes and not a tree in sight.
We have gone back to Valley of Fire a few times since that first experience, and it is still just as amazing now as it was then.
On our most recent visit, we deviated from our usual Valley of Fire routine. Instead of hiking the Mouse’s Tank trail, we explored the Rainbow Vista area of the park, took a look at the petroglyphs at Atlatl Rock, and gazed at the “Seven Sisters” rock formations. I’m happy to report that I thought all of these spots were kid-friendly.
Our first stop was the Rainbow Vista trail head. My five-year-old daughter isn’t much of a hiker, but she loves the interesting rock formations at Valley of Fire. Rather than hiking the trail, we ran around and explored near the trail’s entrance. We had fun spotting the little caves and crevices in the rock formations.
Next, we stopped by the Seven Sisters. These dramatic, vertical rock formations are a great site for a picnic, with several covered picnic tables sitting in the shadows of the tall, statuesque “ladies.” I’ll admit, we didn’t stay here long, but I did snap a photo or two, and I could see us enjoying a picnic here on our next visit.
In addition to being a beautiful place to hike, Valley of Fire also offers visitors a look at petroglyphs dating back to about 3,000 years ago. Although there are some fascinating petroglyphs along the Mouse’s Tank trail, an even better place for viewing these ancient artworks is Atlatl Rock. The pictures are located very high-up on the side of a large rock formation. A long set of stairs take visitors up to a platform where they can get a close look at the petroglyphs. After you’ve examined the drawings, be sure to turn around and check out the pretty cool view from the platform.
View from the platform at Atlatl Rock
We ended our day at Valley of Fire with an old favorite: the Beehives. This series of rock formations located near the park’s entrance is a fun place for kids to run free, although you will need to watch them closely if they climb on the rocks. Some of them are quite high. We saw several yellow wildflowers here and a lizard. It was a great way to end our day.
If you are planning a trip to Las Vegas and will be renting a car, I highly recommend a visit to Valley of Fire. It’s one of the most picturesque places I’ve ever visited.
Kid-friendly activities abound in Las Vegas, but what is particularly surprising is the number of lovely parks and playgrounds. One of my favorites is Pueblo Park in Summerlin, which we visited for the first time last weekend. I left wondering why I hadn’t explored this suburban oasis sooner.
Pueblo Park features large areas covered in lush green grass, somewhat of an anomaly in the Las Vegas area. It has a playground, complete with swings. (Remember when all parks had swings? Those were the days.) Visitors will also find a nice walking/biking trail that is perfect for observing the surrounding desert landscape, getting a little exercise, or just taking an after-dinner stroll.
Pueblo Park is a linear park, which runs west from Lake Mead Blvd., past Park Vista Dr., to Rampart. If you’re using a GPS, you can plug in the address 7663 Lake Mead Blvd.
For other kid-friendly Las Vegas activities, check out:
Animal Adventures on the Strip
Kid-Friendly Las Vegas Activities
I like to think of it as reverse-hibernation. While my Midwestern friends are updating their facebook pages with joyful pictures of their families outside in the nice spring weather, my Las Vegas friends and I are sighing. Pretty soon we’ll be the ones hiding indoors. A pleasant spring is drawing to a close, and it’s time to prepare ourselves for the hot temperatures that await us. We’re beginning to think about indoor activities, playdates at the park in the early hours of the morning, and how great it will be when fall rolls around and we can put away the sunscreen.
However, the hot Las Vegas temperatures can be mitigated by a trip to Mount Charleston, Nevada. Located about 30 minutes away from downtown Las Vegas, Mount Charleston is home to Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, which offers visitors picnic areas, hiking trails, and other outdoor fun in a slightly cooler environment. The recreation area is part of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, which covers 6.3 million acres.
Temperatures at Mount Charleston are often significantly lower than those found in the Valley. We noticed a distinct difference on our recent visit when we hiked part of the Fletcher Canyon trail on Earth Day.
For more information on activities and hiking trails within Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, check out this list of things to do from the Forest Service. You’ll also find some helpful tips to keep you safe during your outing.
The Mesquite Sand Dunes at Death Valley National Park are so much fun to visit. We brought sand toys for my daughter, and she could have stayed there all day. Even my husband and I were running around barefoot and making “sand angels.”
Gotta love those three-day weekends. Hope yours was just as fun.
Earlier this week, we took a stroll along the Leon Creek Greenway in San Antonio. While the majority of the trail consists of concrete surfaces, we did venture onto one of the natural surface off-shoots.
We didn’t walk very far–about a half mile–but I’m trying to make sure that we spend some time outdoors each day.
The City of San Antonio maintains 23 miles of greenway trails and is contructing an additional 14 miles.
For more Photo Friday fun, stop by the family travel blog Delicious Baby.
You may have noticed a new theme emerging on Wandering Off. In an effort to introduce my daughter to nature, we’ve been visiting lots of city, county, and state parks this winter. Although I’ll continue to write about things like travel, history, architecture, and food, I’m trying to get myself and my daughter outside as much as possible.
When my daughter and I first started exploring the great outdoors, I was worried that we wouldn’t find trails that fit her skill level. If you’re feeling the same hesitancy, I’m here to reassure you! These four “beginner hikes” can be enjoyed by the whole family.
1. Crownridge Canyon Natural Area: The 1.3 mile Red Oak Trail features a fairly even surface that is stroller-accessible. Near the halfway point, you’ll find the Red Oak Canyon bridge. When hiking with kids, it’s always nice to have a destination or goal, and the promise of a bridge was great motivation for my three year old daughter.
2. Comanche Lookout Park: Like Crownridge Canyon, this park features easy trails and a goal to keep kids interested. A stone tower, modeled after medieval examples, can be found at the top of the hill overlooking Bexar County. This park is a great choice for kids who love Tangled!
3. O.P. Schnabel Park: This isn’t the best place to go if you’re seeking scenic vistas and solitude. However, the trails are easy enough for all ages, and it is possible to experience nature in this busy suburban park. On a recent visit, E. and I saw two deer (really up-close!), two cardinals, and several bugs, butterflies, and other small creatures.
4. Cibolo Nature Center: Located in the nearby town of Boerne, this park is absolutely beautiful. A peaceful creek is a short stroll from the visitors center. In fact, E. first made her way down this path when she was only 2 years old. (If you continue walking along the creek, the hiking will get a little more difficult.) Now that she’s older, E. loves being adventurous and climbing onto the large rocks that line the creek. In other words, there’s something here for a variety of fitness levels and abilities.
For trail maps in San Antonio, check out the City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation website.
See? Ya learn something new everyday. (Crownridge Canyon Park)
Make sure to always do your research before hiking. When in doubt, call the park and ask about hiking conditions, ability level, etc.
After a cold snap (highs in the 20′s and even some ice and snow one day!), we were ready to get out of the house this past weekend. We decided to try a park we hadn’t visited before, Friedrich Wilderness Park.
Located in northwest San Antonio, this park offers a great opportunity for hiking without the long drive. (Even though I love those long Hill Country drives, sometimes there just isn’t time for an all-day excursion.) Friedrich Park is great for those hiking with children because there are a variety of trails, ranging from easy to difficult. The Forest Loop trail is paved and fairly flat, so it’s wheelchair and stroller accessible.
I was a little surprised to see this sign as we entered the park:
Luckily, we didn’t see any dangerous animals during our afternoon hike!
Our daughter did a great job on this hike. There were some very steep segments of the trail we took (the Main Loop trail), but she didn’t complain about being tired or ask to be carried…such a difference from our first hike last winter!
Remember, San Antonio friends: this is a great time of year to get outside! In a few months, we’ll be complaining about the heat.
Pedernales State Park is located in Blanco County, not far from Johnson City.
View from the scenic overlook.
My daughter loved looking for shells in the sand.
A little lagoon.
We visited on a weekday in late January, and the park definitely wasn’t crowded.
For more information on Pedernales Falls State Park: Texas Parks and Wildlife
To read about other Texas state parks: Texas State Parks I’d Like to Visit (Instead of Battle Pneumonia)
Now that it’s starting to feel like fall, or as close to “fall” as we get here in San Antonio, E. and I have been visiting our favorites parks even more often than we did over the summer. Here are a few of our favorites:
1. Playscape at Brackenridge Park: Lots of swings, slides, and even a four-person see-saw. Plus, if you get bored you can always head over to the nearby zoo, Witte Museum, Japanese Tea Garden, or zoo train.
2. Stillman Park at Lackland Air Force Base: Those with a valid military i.d. will be able to enjoy this park, which features a huge play-structure full of unusual swings and slides.
3. Heritage Park and Duck Pond: Two playscapes and a pavillion are located next to a duck-inhabited pond and walking trail.
4. Playscape at La Cantera: This one isn’t great for nature-lovers, since it’s located at an outdoor shopping mall. However, it is in the shade and located right next to a Marble Slab ice cream shop. Great place to visit after it’s rained, since you don’t have to worry about mud.
5. Bonnie Conner Park: Perfect location right behind the Igo branch of the San Antonio Library. Stop by the park before or after storytime. (Check out the Igo storytime schedule.) For another park-near-the-library option, consider Nani Falcone Community Park located across the street from the Maverick library branch.
There are plenty of parks we haven’t explored yet, including Commanche Lookout, which I’ve heard is lots of fun. For a complete list of San Antonio parks and their locations, click here.
Do you have a favorite San Antonio park? Tell us about it by leaving a comment!
