If you have 1 hour: Sunset Park

Sunset Park is a large, noisy, urban park in the heart of the city. The developed northern portion of the park has ball fields, play grounds, a fishing pond, lawns, big old trees, and lots of other vegetation. In the undeveloped southern portion, the park protects a remnant of the mesquite-dune system that once covered much of the Las Vegas Valley. Despite the urban feeling, this mix of habitats (water, trees, thickets, and dunes) creates a diverse urban oasis that attracts birds and people from all around. For the pond, winter is the best time to visit when wintering waterfowl can be abundant. The park can get quite noisy and crowed on weekends.

If you have 2 hours: Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve or Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs

Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve is one of the best places in southern Nevada to watch birds and dragonflies. Marsh and stream-side habitat in the nearby Las Vegas Wash, combined with open ponds and trees in the ponds, attracts birds of all kinds to water in this otherwise parched land. Desert species, waterbirds, wading birds, migrant songbirds, and shorebirds can be abundant here. Paved (fully accessible) and dirt (mostly accessible) walkways run on dikes that divide the area into nine brush-lined ponds and provide many vantage points. An elevated platform gives good views over much of the area. Access to the area is free, but it closes early, especially during summer.

Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs is located in the northwest corner of town, so it is a bit harder and longer to get to from downtown. The ponds, trees, and desert areas can provide good birding, but go early or avoid it on weekends.

If you only have 4 hours: Corn Creek or Red Rock Canyon

Corn Creek is a tiny spot of green in a vast sea of Mojave Desert Scrub that attracts desert birds and migrant species like a magnet. Of all the places to watch birds around Las Vegas, historically this has been the best place to find desert species, but habitat changes seem to be leading to an uncertain future, but this remains a good place to bird during spring and a good place for see dragonflies.

Red Rocks, Calico Basin is a colorful desert area tucked between mountains and cliffs with permanent springs that support trees, thickets, and an open meadow. Compared to the surrounding desert, Calico Basin is sheltered and moist, and it is easy to understand why Native Americans, birds, and wildlife spend time here.

Red Rocks, Willow Springs sits in a desert canyon with a spring, cottonwood trees, lots of shrubs, and grand scenery. From the end of the pavement, be sure to bird up the canyon checking the wash and hillside for birds and bighorn sheep.

If you have all day: Las Vegas Northwest Birding Trail

This trip maximizes differences in habitat types, and therefore maximizes the diversity of bird species that can be seen. Visit a desert oasis on Desert National Wildlife Range, mountains at Mt. Charleston, and desert canyons at Red Rocks. Pack a lunch or eat at the lodge in the mountains.

From downtown, drive north on Highway 95 for about 30 minutes to Corn Creek. From there, head up onto the mountain and visit Lee Canyon, Deer Creek, and Kyle Canyon. Eat lunch on the porch at the lodge, then bird the Mary Jane Falls trailhead area.

From Kyle Canyon, drive down Highway 157 to Highway 95 and south to Red Rock Canyon NCA. Drive out to Calico Basin, then to Willow Springs (entrance fee required). Exit the Scenic Loop and drive south to Wheeler Camp Spring. Finish the day by continuing south to Highway 160 and back to town.

If you have all day: Lake Mead Birding Trail

This trip focuses on riparian areas in the desert. Visit the swampy Muddy River delta at Overton Wildlife Management Area and a couple of springs, some dry desert, and a creek along Lake Mead. Pack a lunch or eat at one of the marinas at the lake.

From downtown, drive Interstate-15 northbound for about an hour to Highway 169 and drive south towards Logandale. Visit Bowman Reservoir, then continue south to Overton Wildlife Management Area. From there, continue south into Lake Mead National Recreation Area (Northshore Road). Stop at Blue Point Spring and Rogers Spring. These small islands of green in the vast sea of desert scrub attract birds from far and wide. Continue south to Redstone Picnic Area for hard-core desert birds. Continue south on Northshore Road to Las Vegas Wash and walk the Wetland Trail to finish the day. Return to town by continuing on Northshore Road for a few more minutes to Lakeshore Road. Turn right (west) and drive back into town.