Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge

Beyond the photogenic neon-scape of Las Vegas, the land is relatively arid and unyielding, save for a few dotted cacti and gigantic massifs standing like sentinels along the horizon. Few people are aware that Las Vegas was once a desert oasis, teeming with exotic flora and fauna and home to an abundance of exotic species like the Barred Tiger Salamander and finger-sized Pacific Tree Frog. Barely ninety minutes drive North from the Strip, beyond the craggy beauty of Death Valley, there is a place where such creatures thrive in tranquil harmony – Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.

Established in 1984, the thriving wildlife habitat of Ash Meadows is the only naturally made conservation area North of Death Valley. Encompassing an area just over 26,000 acres, its also the largest of its kind in Southern Nevada, preserving 24 species of amphibians, reptiles, mammals and fish no longer found anywhere else in the world. A complex chain of micro ecosystems, Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge has a variegated topographical make up, including swampland, marshes and forest, punctuated by fast-flowing waterways and great watering holes of ancient creation. Managed by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, the area is now a popular draw for tourists due to the recent development of environmentally friendly wooden walkways, promenades and bridges, along with several nature lookout huts. With four species of fish and one variety of plant currently on the endangered list, Ash Meadows is an important conservation effort, distinguished nationally as a place with the widest variety of endemic species in America.

Crystal Springs Interpretive Boardwalk Trail is the only man-made route around Ash Meadows Park, and one that takes in the greatest variety of wildlife habitats. Point of Rocks, just ten minutes amble from the main Refuge Office and Kiosk is by far the best place to spot the endangered pupfish, a tiny silver streaked species resemblant of a goldfish in size and shape. Located atop an ancient Mojave aquifer, Ash Meadows bears over 30 individual springs and water courses – ideal spots for the discovery of amphibious creatures and reptiles inhabiting Ash Meadows, including the reclusive Chuckwalla lizard near Devil's Hole and the native Woodhouse toad.

A haven for birdwatchers, Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is home to 239 species of birds, with the greatest diversity to be found at the close of summer. Look out for the Crissal Thrasher, a bird so lazy it prefers to walk from A to B (rather than fly) and the Phainopepla, a black crested songbird well known for its ability to imitate other birds. Experts suggest the Phainopepla is capable of mimicking the call of up to 20 other species, memorizing them in the same way humans store languages, using them to escape all sorts of bother! If you plan a trip around a week in advance to Ash Meadows, you may book the expertise of a dedicated guide – the best way to discover Nevada's diverse array of quirky wildlife!