One of my favorite places to hike in Las Vegas is Tule Springs. This used to be a state park but was tunred over to the City of Las Vegas when the state budget didn't have enough to cover operations. Since then, it has been a city park. There is an admission to Floyd Lamb of $6 per car.
To avoid the charge and to do the loop, you park on Racel Street. There are entrances on Racel to access the South Loop Trail. The loop is actually a large retention basin for flash flood water. It is a 1.7 mile loop on a dirt track around this basin.
There are wonderful views of the Las Vegas Range and you can see the Metro antennae on Gass Peak if you know where to look. Coming back to Racel, you see the Spring Mountains to the west. The views of these two mountain ranges is outsanding!
The mountains offer the marvelous scenery, but don't miss the desert plants that have been added to beautify the area. Creosote bushes, desert marigold, mesquite trees, and other desert plants make the trail something to enjoy by looking at both the mountains and toward the ground. Roadrunners like this type of dry area and I've seen one hiking the loop. If you look at the center of the basin, you'll see an island. There are two trails--from the north and south--leading to this area where you can have a picnic in one of the covered areas.
When I hike here, I leave the loop near the historic area of Tule Springs. If you do the loop and have time, take the side spur to the historic resort from the 1940s on, starting as a resort specializing in 6 week Nevada residencies for people wanting a quick divorce. Enjoy the springs, the animals, and the plentiful trees before returning to the loop and back to your car along Racel.
There is a North Loop that I haven't done yet. Since it's cool weather again, I have some time to do it. From Neon to Nature. Go out and take a hike and enjoy our city away from the neon. read more