Moapa Valley
Moapa Valley is in Southern Nevada. It is somewhat agricultural and sleepy in nature below dry escarpments and barren southern Nevada peaks.
Understand
Moapa Valley is the result of the merger of two former communities in the Muddy River Valley, Logandale and Overton. There's another municipality called Moapa on the north side of I-15 that's more or less a part of the community too. This area was settled by Mormons after the Anasazi and Paiutes had lived here long before.
Get in
Located off of I-15 between Las Vegas and Mesquite. You also can get here via Hwy 167 through the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, which could be a scenic alternative.
See
- 🌍 Lost City Museum-Archaeology, 721 S Moapa Valley Blvd, ☏ +1 702 397-2193. W-Su 8:30AM-4:30PM. Preserves artifacts of the ancient Anasazi people that were threatened with the creation of Lake Mead, from sites like Pueblo Grande de Nevada, for instance.
- 🌍 St. Thomas Ghost Town, Old St Thomas B Rd, ☏ +1 702 293-8990. Within Lake Mead National Recreation Area, this marks the former site of the town of St. Thomas, which was abandoned as the waters of Lake Mead rose. See foundations and ruins with interpretive displays. Requires walking a mile or so to site.
Do
- 🌍 Valley Of Fire State Park, 29450 Valley of Fire Hwy, Overton, ☏ +1 702 397-2088. Daily sunrise-sunset. Here you can marvel at some rather majestic rock formations weathered by the forces of nature, including sites like Mouse's Tank, Elephant Rock, Atlatl Rock, and the White Domes. The visitor center and web page can orient you to the intricacies therein. $10/vehicle ($15 for out of state).
- 🌍 Warm Springs Natural Area (Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge), 4240 Warm Springs Rd, ☏ +1 775 725-3417. Sep-May: Tu-Su 7AM-3PM. This area preserves a natural oasis with thermal springs, where endangered dace fish live, and palm trees that you can explore with a 2/3-mile interpretive trail. Across Warm Springs Road is the Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
- 🌍 Overton Wildlife Management Area, 1000 Waterfowl Rd, ☏ +1 702 486-5127. closed off at times due to hunting and from Mar 1 to Aug 1. Another refuge that preserves habitat close to Lake Mead that offers a chance to see roadrunners and other bird life. You can even camp here for free.
- Attend the Clark County Fair And Rodeo in April (in Logandale).
Sleep
For an unparalleled experience, try staying at one of Valley of Fire State Parks campgrounds:
- 🌍 Atlatl Rock Campground, ☏ +1 702 397-2088. $20.
- 🌍 Arch Rock Campground, ☏ +1 702 397-2088. $20.
There are also some great options for camping along Lake Mead (actually you can camp anywhere within the Lake Mead NRA so long as it is 1/2 mile from a designated road):
- 🌍 Echo Bay Lower Campground, 601-699 Echo Bay Rd, Overton, ☏ +1 702 394-4000. Great if you're looking for a getaway where you can take your boat or kayak out on Lake Mead, or just if you consider yourself a desert rat. Store and gas and boat ramp nearby.
- 🌍 Stewarts Point Campground, Stewarts Point Rd. A little more primitive, might need to keep your apples secured from the wild burros.