Springs Preserve is a 180-acre attraction on the edge of downtown Las Vegas, built on the natural springs that gave the city its name and its start. It shows off a quieter side to the city than the likes of the Strat Tower and Cirque du Soleil shows.
This guide was updated in August 2026. You can book your admission ticket in advance through Viator.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 333 S. Valley View Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada 89107 |
| Hours | Thursday–Monday, 9am–4pm; last entry 3pm |
| Closed | Tuesdays and Wednesdays |
| Nevada resident adult admission | $9.95 |
| Visitor/non-resident adult admission | $18.95 |
| Children 2 and under | Free |
| Nearest transport | Free on-site parking; also accessible by RTC bus |
| Typical visit duration | Half a day to a full day |
Why book Springs Preserve tickets?
- 🏛️ The birthplace of Las Vegas: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, where natural springs sustained the valley for thousands of years.
- 🎟️ Dino Safari, on now through October 5: A walk-through exhibit currently added to the grounds.
- 🌿 An 8-acre Botanical Garden and 3+ miles of trails: With a scenic train ride out to the recreated Boomtown 1905.
- 📜 A 20,000-year-old Columbian Mammoth skeleton: On display inside the Nevada State Museum, alongside a recreated stalactite cave.
- 💰 Nevada residents pay about half price: $9.95 versus $18.95 for visiting adults.
Springs Preserve opening hours
Springs Preserve is open Thursday through Monday, 9am to 4pm, with last entry at 3pm. It’s closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, as well as Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The Nevada State Museum, on the same grounds, keeps the same Thursday–Monday schedule but also closes for New Year’s Day. Members get early entry to the outdoor natural areas starting at 8am. During summer months and extreme heat advisories, outdoor areas and activities — including the playground, trails, train, and trolley — may close early for guest safety.
Springs Preserve ticket prices
Admission is priced by residency and age, and the venue is cashless throughout.
| Ticket type | Nevada resident | Visitor/non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | $9.95 | $18.95 |
| Child (3–17) | $4.95 | $10.95 |
| Senior (65+) | $8.95 | $17.95 |
| Military | $8.95 | $8.95 |
| Children 2 and under | Free | Free |
Several further discounts are available: Museums for All cardholders (EBT, SNAP, or WIC) receive $3 admission for up to four people; Bank of America cardholders get one free general admission ticket during the first full weekend of every month; and Blue Star Museums offers free entry for active-duty military and up to five family members between Armed Forces Day and Labor Day. Book in advance through Viator to lock in your visit date.
How to get to Springs Preserve
Springs Preserve is easily reached by car, just off the I-11 near downtown Las Vegas. By bus, the site is accessible via the Regional Transportation Commission’s network; check current routes before you travel, since service can change.
Parking at Springs Preserve
Free parking is available on-site, including EV charging stations powered by the Preserve’s own solar facilities. During major special events, guests may be directed to offsite overflow lots instead.
How long to spend at Springs Preserve
For a short visit of 1 to 2 hours, the Origen Museum alone covers the highlights, including its short film and flash flood exhibit. A half day adds Boomtown 1905, the Botanical Garden, and WaterWorks, while a full day takes in the Nevada State Museum, the trails, and a train ride as well.
Accessibility at Springs Preserve
Springs Preserve is wheelchair accessible, with the exception of a few unpaved trail sections preserved for their historic nature. Standard wheelchairs rent for free, and strollers rent for $3 (single) or $5 (double), both on a first-come, first-served basis at the ticketing window; Premium Family members and above receive free stroller rentals.
What to see at Springs Preserve
The Origen Museum anchors a visit, with a rotating traveling exhibit space, the 8-minute film “Miracle in the Mojave,” a flash flood exhibit recreating 5,000 gallons of rushing water, and an animal habitat featuring Gila monsters, desert cottontails, and a gray fox.
Boomtown 1905 recreates an early Las Vegas streetscape — a bank, mercantile, cottage, hotel, theatre, and train depot — reachable on foot or by the Preserve’s own train.
The Nevada State Museum houses a 20,000-year-old Columbian Mammoth skeleton, a recreated stalactite cave, Nevada mining history displays, and original Las Vegas showgirl costumes.
The Botanical Garden is hardly a major affair like Cypress Gardens in Charleston, South Carolina, or the Fort Worth Botanical Garden in Texas. But it spans eight acres and showcases thousands of Mojave Desert and desert-adapted plants, with a seasonal Butterfly Habitat open each spring and fall.
WaterWorks lets visitors examine replicated quagga mussels, view water contaminants under a microscope, and handle rock samples excavated from deep below Lake Mead.
DesertSol, a 754-square-foot solar-powered home, demonstrates sustainable design choices in technology, energy, and materials.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Plan around the Tuesday and Wednesday closures | Both the Preserve and the Nevada State Museum are shut those two days each week. |
| Bring your own snacks | Outside food and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed if they don’t need heating or refrigeration. |
| Come prepared to pay by card | The Springs Preserve is fully cashless; bring a debit or credit card, or a mobile wallet. |
| Arrive early in summer | Outdoor trails, the train, and the playground can close early during extreme heat advisories. |
| Ask about Museums for All | EBT, SNAP, or WIC cardholders receive $3 admission for up to four people. |
Springs Preserve FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are Springs Preserve’s opening hours? | Thursday to Monday, 9am to 4pm, with last entry at 3pm; closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. |
| How much does admission cost? | Nevada residents pay $9.95 for adults; visitors pay $18.95; children 2 and under are free. |
| Is Springs Preserve wheelchair accessible? | Yes, aside from a few unpaved trail sections; wheelchairs rent for free and strollers from $3. |
| Is parking free? | Yes, free parking is available on-site, including EV charging stations. |
| How long should I plan to spend there? | Budget 1–2 hours for the Origen Museum alone, or a half to full day to add the trails, Nevada State Museum, and Boomtown 1905. |
Things to do near Springs Preserve
Downtown Las Vegas and the Fremont Street Experience, about 10 minutes away, offer a very different, neon-lit contrast to the Preserve’s desert calm.
The Las Vegas Natural History Museum, also close by downtown, covers dinosaurs, wildlife, and marine life across several galleries.
The Discovery Children’s Museum, near downtown, is a hands-on science and play museum well suited to younger visitors.
The Historic Westside neighbourhood, adjacent to downtown, holds much of the city’s African American cultural history.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, about 25 to 30 minutes away, offers a scenic loop drive and hiking trails through dramatic red sandstone formations. An e-bike tour is the best way to explore.
What to visit tomorrow
The Clark County Museum, in Henderson, about 30 minutes away, pairs a Southern Nevada history timeline with a recreated historic streetscape, including a 1932 railroad depot and a resurrected ghost town.
The Nevada State Railroad Museum, in Boulder City, roughly 30 to 40 minutes away, preserves historic locomotives and rail cars tied to the region’s mining and Hoover Dam history.
The Lost City Museum, in Overton, about an hour away, sits directly on an excavated Ancestral Puebloan site and displays artefacts rescued before Lake Mead’s waters rose over the original town.
More Las Vegas travel
Other Las Vegas travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- 7 best things to do in Las Vegas with seven-year-old children.
- Which hotels are on the Las Vegas Monorail?
- Where locals eat and drink in Las Vegas.
- How to visit the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign without using a taxi.
- Reviews of the Mob Museum, ARTE Museum, Neon Museum, Museum of Illusions, Atomic Testing Museum, Area 15 and Omega Mart.
