Floyd Lamb State Park

Shimmering like an emerald mirage amid the arid caramel desert, Tule Springs would have been a welcoming sight for weary travelers plodding the merchant routes. Floyd Lamb Park lies a mere 25 minute drive from the glamorous luster of Las Vegas, but it might as well be another country. Beset amid 680 acres of lush greenery, thickset ancient forests and vast expanses of water, the state owned national park melds history and Hollywood together in a desert oasis of outstanding natural beauty.

Less than 20 miles from the buzzing metropolis, Floyd Lamb National Park sits upon an elevated plateau beside the picturesque 95 Interstate. Flanked by huge canyons and miles of Mojave desert, the drive itself is well known for its stunning views and has formed the backdrop for several internationally televised automobile commercials. Floyd Lamb looms like a sleeping green giant from the landscape, its various watering holes shimmering alluringly as they have done for thousands of years. Prior to its development as a ringed wildlife park and conservation project, the area surrounding Floyd Lamb National Park (known as Tule Springs) catered for many a prehistoric dinosaur seeking welcome shade and a good long drink. From Columbian mammoths, to super-sized sloths, their existence is imprinted into the rocks and landscapes surrounding Tule Ranch – the largest watering hole of the park. The expansive area of Pleistocene-era fossils remains one of the best preserved sites in the U.S.A.

At first glance, Floyd Lamb National Park may appear to be a huge expanse of nature reserve, however it was also developer Jacob Goumond's paradise in the 60's, wherein he built a sustainable ranch and farming plot. It later became a luxury resort retreat for divorcees – notably Hollywood film stars seeking to escape the pressure of press and paparazzi. Rumor has it Elvis Presley once enjoyed the exclusivity of its four fishing lakes and secluded beauty, although nobody has ever come forward to confirm it as fact...

Retaining many of the simple delights of yesteryear, Floyd Lamb is a great place to brush up on your angling skills; indulge in a fun packed family game of volleyball or take a pony trek into some of the more remote parts of Tule Springs' cottonwood forest. The old blacksmith shop and ranch are still standing, now converted into a semi-permanent museum of artifacts from both the prehistoric era and 20th Century. Picnic areas abound within Floyd Lamb National Park and the views from Tule Springs peak are truly captivating. If it's a breath of fresh air you're after, Floyd Lamb National Park beats Stratosphere's “Breathe” Bar hands down!