Columnist Barb Henderson: State parks offer variety of ways to enjoy outdoors

Barb Henderson

Friday, Sept. 10, 2004 | 9:45 a.m.

Barb Henderson is an outdoors enthusiast, freelance writer and producer/host of outdoors radio television programming. Her column appears Friday in the Sun.

When was the last time you took time from the hustle and bustle of city life and spent some time outdoors, enjoying one of Nevada's 24 state parks?

The state parks offer visitors a great opportunity to explore, enjoy a variety of recreational activities and to appreciate some Nevada history.

State parks are divided within Nevada as follows: the Carson region has four; the Fallon region has eight; the Panaca region has seven; and the Southern region has five.

The five Southern region parks are: Big Bend, about five miles south of Laughlin; Floyd Lamb State Park; Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park; Spring Mountain Ranch State Park; and the Valley of Fire State Park.

"The five state parks in the Las Vegas region offer a wide spectrum of recreational opportunities," said Gary Rimbey, regional manager with the Nevada Division of State Parks. "Valley of Fire offers camping and picnicking areas, and you can hike and explore the fiery red rock formations. You can cool off in the Colorado River at Big Bend of the Colorado River State Park in Laughlin, or head to Spring Mountain Ranch west of Las Vegas and take a guided hike into the past.

"Floyd Lamb State Park offers shaded picnic areas and is a great place to catch some trout. And the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park gives you the opportunity to visit the first settlement of Las Vegas, complete with a replica of the fort."

Floyd Lamb State Park is about 10 miles north of downtown Las Vegas. Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park is in downtown Las Vegas at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Washington Avenue. A new visitor center is under construction, with the opening scheduled for the spring of 2005.

Spring Mountain Ranch State Park is nestled within the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

Valley of Fire sits approximately six miles from Lake Mead and 55 miles northeast of Las Vegas.

Each park offers a unique way for visitors to relax and have fun.

Many anglers, hunters and campers who live in the Las Vegas area frequent the parks in the Panaca region because those parks provide more extensive options for outdoors enthusiasts. Visitors to each park are required to pay an entry fee and/or have an entrance permit.

For details of fees and regulations, or directions to the 24 parks, contact the Nevada Division of State Parks, 1300 S. Curry St. in Carson City, (775) 687-4384.

Information is online at parks.nv.gov.

For general information on the parks in the Southern region visit the local office at 4747 Vegas Drive, Las Vegas, or call 486-5126.

There will be no fees to sight-in firearms, and shooting will be from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Targets will be provided. Range officers and NDOW hunter education instructors will be on hand to ensure safety and provide personal instruction to shooters. For more information or to make reservations call NDOW at 486-5127, ext. 3504.