Wetlands Park451

A unique wash environment created using water runoff from the Las Vegas Valley, this 130-acre nature preserve provides two miles of paved walking trails and great wildlife viewing. The presence of this desert wetlands brings many species to the banks of the park's ponds: Families can spot a wealth of birds and native wildlife, including herons, ducks, owls, lizards, rabbits, and beavers. The Visitors Center is a great place to pick up a map and orient the family to the trails. Perhaps the best perk at the center is the family backpacks available for loan during your visit. Tucked inside is a magnifying glass, binoculars, a storybook, and suggestions for parent-child activities while out on the trails. A driver's license is needed to check a backpack out. There are important rules here, too: Because the water areas are formed by advanced waste-water runoff, they are not fit for human use: Wading, fishing, and splashing are not allowed. Bicyles and/or dogs are also not allowed in the Nature Preserve for safety reasons and because pets disturb wildlife even when leashed.