People who live in Las Vegas love the outdoors, and luckily, the southwestern desert climes accommodate. Yes, it gets hot in the summer months as it does in most places in the U.S., but most of the year the weather is a delight. Las Vegas, one of the fastest growing cities in the nation no longer consists mainly of "The Strip." The large population of families and residents in general have access to more than forty parks for outdoor recreation, including ten parks for dog lovers, known as "dog parks" of course. Among the most popular parks, including "dog parks" are:
ALL AMERICAN PARK:
2 dog runs
10 volleyball courts
2 soccer fields
2 playgrounds
water play area
jogging/walking path
restroom facilities
CENTENNIAL HILLS:
2 dog runs
10 picnic areas
10 volleyball courts
2 soccer fields
2 playgrounds
water play area
jogging/walking path
restroom facilities
LORENZI PARK:
Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza
4 baseball/softball fields
2 basketball courts
fitness course
jogging/walking path
3 playgrounds
pond
10 tennis courts
15 picnic areas
restroom facilities
Charlie Kellog and Joe Zaher Sports Complex: A state-of-the-art sports complex on approximately 110 acres and home to the Amanda and Stacy Darling Memorial Tennis Center, the largest of its kind in the State of Nevada:
23 tennis courts with stadium seating for 2,800 spectators, pro shop, locker rooms and office space.
11 lighted soccer fields
a three-cell "dogs only" area
children's play areas
shaded picnic shelters
walking/jogging path surrounding the entire park
FLOYD LAMB STATE PARK:
Formerly known as Tule Springs, Floyd Lamb State Park, once a working ranch, provides a welcome respite from summer heat and the city's hustle and bustle. The park's primary features are four small fishing lakes, each of which are surrounded by groves of shade trees, walking and bike paths and picnic areas with tables and grills.
LAKE MEAD RECREATIONAL AREA:
Lake Mead covers 300 square miles, and is the largest man-made lake in the U.S. Located only 35 miles southeast of Las Vegas proper, Lake Mead offers boating, fishing, water skiing and swimming along its nearly 600 miles of shoreline marinas, boating and bait shops are located at various points around the lake.
MOUNT CHARLESTON/ TOIYABE NATIONAL FOREST:
Located 35 miles north of Las Vegas, Mount Charleston is a favored summer retreat for local residents. Some two miles higher in altitude than the city, and averaging 30 degrees cooler than downtown, the refreshing change in temperature is felt as you drive up the mountain.
Horseback riding, camping and picnicking are favorite recreational activities from May to September, with skiing and snowboarding popular in the winter months. The well known Mount Charleston Inn is a favorite spot for food and drink and rental cabins are available for a weekend or longer stay.
For more information about Las Vegas Parks visit Nevada's official Parks site.
