Floyd Lamb/ Tule Springs State Park

      So Levi purchased the book, Afoot and Afield Las Vegas and Southern Nevada: A Comprehensive Hiking Guide, about 2 years ago.  It was written by Brian Beffort. It basically has hikes located north, south, east, and west of the Valley.  We have decide to try and hike all of the locations listed in the book:)


      Yesterday we took a 5 minute drive to one of these hiking destinations: Floyd Lamb State Park, also known as Tule Springs.  This hidden treasure of Vegas is located in the northwest area of the valley, just a little over a mile east of Highway 95 and Durango.  Levi and I had been to the park on a couple of occasions, but we only glimpsed areas from our car.  We've talked about visiting the park for the Farmer's Market, but kept missing it (every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month).  I think we'll be frequenting this park more, since we've explored it.


      But I digress....Floyd Lamb Park offers a variety of activities for the young and young at heart.  The park has 4 lakes stocked with several species of fish throughout the year, a variety of trees and other vegetation, wildlife including different species of birds, picnic areas with bbq grills, walking paths with beautiful view, and even a historical site area . There were a number of people at the park when we arrived, despite the 100 degree weather.  They were eating and visiting with family and friends at the picnic tables, throwing footballs on the lawns, fishing, exploring the historic buildings, feeding the ducks and geese, or walking and biking on the paths.  The park is definitely a place to get away and relax. The map below was taken directly from their brochure.   The following site includes more detailed information on the park and includes the park's brochure, http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/TextOnly/Find/12095.htm.

Just an FYI: daily entrance fees include $6 per vehicle and $1 for walk-ins, bikes, and horses.  Dogs are allowed as long as they are on a leash.  Poop bags are set up throughout the park for your convenience.
      A brief history of the park:  For thousands of years, Tule Springs (as it was originally named) was a watering hole for people and animals. Fossils from mammoths and bison, to name a few, have been discovered here!  The area/water rights were claimed by a number of people, until it was purchased by Prosper Jacob Goumond in 1941.  He transformed an area of the park into a dude ranch or more popularly known as a "divorce ranch."  Nevada's divorce law of 6-week residency had just been established and guests used the waiting time here participating in recreational activities the ranch had to offer.  The dude ranches eventually died out and the park was  acquired by the city and then state.  The name was changed to Floyd Lamb after a State Senator.

Levi with our dog Brewy walking up the
 path when we first arrived.

   

We paid the entrance fee, selected an open spot in the first parking lot, and explored the park via the walking trails, first exploring the historic site. Here are some of our discoveries:
The following are buildings from the Goumond dude ranch....

Duplex-Guest Rooms

Bathhouse and Generator Room

Pool-obviously filled in

Generator-much bigger than the one we
use for the RV

Walking across a bridge that once laid
above a man made pond for the dude
ranch guests

Animal housing is further away from the guest housing and
recreational facilities 

This was an original adobe hut built  in the mid-1910s by
a former owner of the property.

As I mentioned before, there is quite a bit of bird wildlife in Tule Springs.  One of the first species we came across was peacocks....and lots of them.  They were roaming around the shaded lawn just in front of the historical site.

Levi got some good close up shots.  I was a distance away
with Brewy on her leash.  She wanted to chase after them.

Even more shots of various birds. I want to get a book on identifying birds soon.  Maybe one on identifying animal tracks, and plants.

  

The walking path provided beautiful views of the lakes and the park's many facilities (including picnic areas and restrooms).

      Besides cooking out, many of the park-goers were fishing.  I think Levi has found another serene destination in busy Las Vegas.  Of course, he'll need a fishing pole and fishing license....maybe Santa will get him this for Christmas this year......

      We had to keep hydrated throughout the visit. It was 100 degrees outside.  The trees provided some nice shade.  

      A final picture to complete the visit.  Levi and I thought this image completed the hiking adventure.  This park is very family friendly.  Floyd Lamb Park has so much to offer educationally and recreationally!