Looking for a place to take the kids or enjoy a walk in beautiful surroundings?
Check out the Nature Discovery Trail at Boulder City’s municipal park in Bootleg Canyon.
With giant statues of desert animals, colorful rock gardens and great views of the city, it’s a charming and fun experience for most anyone.
Starting with a giant jackrabbit, a paved winding trail takes you past larger than life animal statues that include a scorpion, roadrunner, horned lizard, Mojave rattlesnake, Gila monster, and Tortoise…and we sure are glad these aren’t they’re actual sizes!
A plaque in front of each animal notes interesting facts (did you know Jackrabbits can run up to 40 miles per hour?… or that Gila monsters can survive on just four meals a year?). Cool stuff.
There are also plaques for desert flora like the Joshua tree, prickly pear, and cholla (take a good hard look, you definitely want to avoid this one in the wilds!).
The trail runs about 1800 feet and ends at a covered pavilion with a picnic table.
Remember to take pictures because hey, where else can you and your loved ones stand next to a giant coiled rattlesnake or a massive Gila monster? Almost like starring in your own sci-fi movie! Great fun and worth the visit.
Directions: From Boulder City Parkway turn onto Yucca Street. Take Yucca up to the Bootleg Canyon Park entrance, go through the roundabout and turn into the parking lot. A giant jackrabbit will be there to greet you!
Written by Noreen Kenny for publication by Boulder City Social.