Neon to Nature App – Connecting Las Vegas Trails

Spring in the Mojave Desert is arguably the most enjoyable season to take your dog out on a desert hike. Often we don’t have time to squeeze in a long hike, or we just don’t know where to go. If you find yourself in this situation, we recently tested a cell phone app that we think you may enjoy.

The Clark County Health District created Neon to Nature, which aims to connect residents to hundreds of miles of trails, throughout and around the Las Vegas Valley. Trails on the app include urban trails as well as trails in our wild places such as Red Rock and Lake Mead. The app lists information about the hike, pictures, length, driving directions, and a map of the trail.

For those of us with four-legged friends, it also clearly states the legal requirements for hiking with dogs (i.e., is a leash required). One nice feature of the app is a search for nearby trails.

The rain this fall and water will provide a host of wildflowers in the spring. As you hike, look for the first two emerging flowers of the season; Brittlebush and globemallow. Brittlebush is a medium-size rounded bush with small yellow flowers on long stalks that emerge well above the silver-gray leafy stems. The globemallow is a desert tortoise favorite food, and they time their emergence with their blooms.

So grab the leash, open the Neon to Nature app and get out there!


Best Hikes With Dogs: Las Vegas & Beyond
By Kimberly Reinhart & Paula Jacoby-Garrett
Great guide with recommendations for more dog-friendly hiking trails within  3 hours of Las Vegas.