Photo: Darrin Bush
Photo: Darrin Bush
Finding Wild Friends: Catching Glimpses of Nevada’s Animal Kingdom
I’ll never forget the first time I spotted a roadrunner in southern Nevada during a trip to Laughlin. Born and raised in the northern part of the state, I’d never seen these awesome birds before, and it was a great reminder that the critters we see every day might be brand new to someone else. To that end, we’ve gathered some of the best places you might glimpse a view of some new-to-you or favorite creatures.
We make no guarantees you’ll see anything—for some reason, Nevada’s wildlife won’t adhere to our wishes. Good luck!
Desert Bighorn Sheep
Nevada is the desert bighorn sheep capital of the West (which is fitting, since it’s also our state mammal). This nimble, adaptable creature is one of few its size that can survive (let alone flourish) in the searing heat and bitter cold of the Mojave Desert. They can go three days without water, lose up to 30 percent of their body weight, and bound up sheer cliff faces at 30 miles per hour—all while lugging around horns that can weigh more than 20 pounds.
Viewing chances for this majestic beast are high at Valley of Fire State Park. If you’re looking to get into full-on backcountry mode, try the Alta-Toquima Wilderness—where bighorn roam at altitudes exceeding 12,000 feet—or the massive Desert National Wildlife Refuge, which was established specifically for bighorn preservation. It is now home to the largest population on Earth.
Hemenway Park spans 10 acres in Boulder City, with a playground, horseshoe pits, picnic shelters, and two tennis courts. For animal lovers, there’s green grass to sit on while watching desert bighorn sheep graze and lie around. You can also see Lake Mead, located just 5 miles from the park. Please remember to never feed the sheep!
Walker Lake outside Hawthorne is another great place to spot sheep. A reliable band of the animals live in the hills above the lake and can often be seen wandering the landscape and crossing the road to get a drink from the lake. There are several signs alerting drivers to the most-likely crossing areas, but be alert along the entire stretch of highway and make sure you keep your eyes on the road. There are multiple pullouts if you want to get out and really scan the hillside.
Pronghorn Antelope
Located in far northern Nevada, Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge protects more than half a million acres of high desert habitat. Visitors can often spot large wintering herds of pronghorn antelope, scattered bands of bighorn sheep, and a rich assortment of other wildlife. The landscape is vast, rugged, and punctuated with waterfalls, narrow gorges, and lush springs among rolling hills and expansive tablelands of sagebrush and mountain mahogany. It takes a bit to get to the refuge, why not take advantage of the many campgrounds and spend a day or two?
Rocky Mountain Elk
Nevada’s largest animal thrives in Nevada’s northeasterly reaches. The best place to see elk—typically in spring and fall—is at the Ely Elk Viewing Area, a mile-long corridor paralleling U.S. Route 93, located about 15 miles southwest of Ely. If you have a hearty vehicle and backcountry skills, you can also bring your spotting scopes to the high country around the uber-remote community of Jarbidge, near the Idaho border.
Travel Nevada Pro Tip
Nevada’s 15 state-owned Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)—more than 150,000 acres of land—are home to many resident and migratory birds and mammals. Found throughout the state, many WMAs are less than two hours from major population centers and offer great access to wildlife viewing.
Moose
Speaking of the Jarbidge area, this mountainous expanse—marked by deep canyons, craggy peaks, and dense forest—makes for the ideal (and the only) habitat in Nevada for another massive mammal: moose! Occasional sightings of moose visiting from neighboring Idaho began in the 1960s, but today, a resident population of more than 100 moose live in Nevada’s northeast corner, particularly in the Bruneau River and Jarbidge River canyons.
Burros
Finding these lovable creatures is as simple or adventurous as you’d like. Bands of burros can be seen in multiple locations around the state. In the north, drive northeast from Lovelock into the Trinity Range, and you’ll see likely see them roaming around. If you’re looking to add a destination, the ghost town of Tunnel Camp is in the same area.
For even easier spotting, plan a trip to southern Nevada. The tiny town of Beatty is home to a roaming band of burros that, while not quite wild, are definitely not house pets. The Beatty burros will often pose for pictures, but keep a respectful distance.
The Marietta Wild Burro Range in the northwest corner of Mineral County is the country’s first formally recognized wild burro range. A band of about 100 burros wander the area, and the ghost town of Marietta provides plenty to explore while you attempt to spot these important and adorable animals.
