The Ultimate Guide to the Springs Preserve
- Sarah Guild
- Mar 7, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 23
My family loves the Springs Preserve — it's really a hidden gem in Las Vegas!
The Springs Preserve Hours and Dates
The Springs Preserve is open Thursday-Monday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Members get early entry to Outdoor Natural Areas at 8 a.m.
The Springs Preserve Admission Costs
Admissions Ticket (updated August 2025)
Nevada resident: $9.95 adults, $4.95 children (ages 3-17), $8.95 senior* (age 65+), $8.95 military*
Visitor/non-resident: $18.95 adults, $10.95 children (ages 3-17), $17.95 senior* (age 65+), $8.95 military*
Children ages 2 and under:Â Free
*Senior and military discounts available by request at the Ticketing Office with valid ID.
Memberships
If you're going to get just one membership in Las Vegas I recommend the Springs Preserve membership. For our family, we have the $60 membership — which gets us in unlimited times into the Springs Preserve for an entire year. The value is unreal. Plus with a membership you are able to get great discounts and early admissions to their popular events. Learn more about Springs Preserve memberships here.
Here's the top 15 things to do at Springs Preserve with kids:
1. Explore the Botanical Gardens
The award-winning botanical gardens are a highlight, featuring over 1,200 species of desert-adapted plants. My favorite time to walk through the gardens is in the spring when the roses are in full bloom — it's stunning!
The botanical gardens are quite a bit of a walk from the entrance so I recommend bringing a stroller if you had little kids. You can also rent strollers from the Springs Preserve.
2. Nature Exchange
Tucked inside the Sustainability Gallery at the Desert Living Center, this imaginative mini–science trading post invites kids to bring in up to five treasures—think shells, fossils, rocks, dried insects, plant parts—and trade them for points. The more uniquely yours the items are—and the more you know about it—the more points you earn. The points can be redeemed for cool rocks and seashells.
At the Nature Exchange they accept:
bugs & insects
fossils
minerals
plant parts
rocks
sea shells
At the Nature Exchange the following are not accepted:
Nothing from protected areas
Nothing with bones
nothing poionous or venomous
no feathers or birds' nests
3. Playground
We love the Springs Preserve playground! They have fun climbing structures, slides, musical section, and sand. Plus, the theming of the playground is so cool!
The main Springs Preserve playground is best for kids 5 years old and older. If you're looking for a toddler playground they also have one too — it's just located in a different section near the splash pad.
If you are visiting the Springs Preserve in the summer I recommend visiting the playground first before it's too hot. And on really hot days, the playground may be closed.
4. Boomtown 1905
Take a trip back to Las Vegas during the 1900's! You can walk in and explore a bank, mercantile, cottage, hotel, theater, train depot, and club. This is a super cool spot to go, and an awesome photo opp!
You can get to Boomtown 1905 by taking the train (except for on hot summer days when the train does not operate for safety reasons).
5. Toddler Time
Toddler Time at Springs Preserve is every Thursday, Friday, and Monday at 11am. They have a craft and story based on that day's theme — it's great!
Toddler time is best for preschool aged kids, but anyone is invited.
Each week they have a different theme for toddler time — so each time you go it feels fresh and new for your toddler.
You can find Toddler Time in the Bearpoppy room.
6. Origen Museum
Dive into the cultural and environmental history of Las Vegas through interactive exhibits, live animal displays, and immersive experiences. The museum covers everything from desert ecosystems to the development of modern Las Vegas.
If you only have one morning/afternoon at the Springs Preserve I would go quickly through the Origen Museum exhibits and go straight outside to the live animals.
7. Live Animals
One of the top questions I get about the Springs Preserve is how to I find the live animals!? It is a little hidden, but you can find them outside of the Origen Museum.
In the live animal exhibits you'll find lots of lizards, snakes, and even a real fox! Right before you go outside to the live animals don't miss the scorpions — they glow in the dark.
8. Water Works
Water works gives you an insight into water and water treatment in Las Vegas. You even get to see real pipes underground, it's super cool to see!
9. Nevada State Museum
Did you know the Nevada State Museum is located at the Springs Preserve?! It's included in your admission ticket. You'll see all sorts of Nevada History items including fossils, old Las Vegas casino items, and early Las Vegas settler items.
10. Splash Pad
We love the Mariposa Splash Pad at Springs Preserve, especially for hot summer days. It’s a colorful flower and bug themed splash pad and such a good addition to the preserve. It's not open year round — just seasonally during the hotter times of the year.
Right next to the splash pad are several shaded tables and chairs so you can watch your kids comfortably.
There are also several large family restrooms right next to the splash pad so your kids can easily change into/out of their swim suits.
11. Butterfly Habitat
Open seasonally in spring and fall, the Springs Preserve Butterfly Habitat is an immersive exhibit that allows you to walk among hundreds of live butterflies. In addition to the butterflies, in the habitat you can enjoy a beautiful, vibrant garden setting filled with flowering plants and native pollinators.
12. Hike the Trails
The Springs Preserve trails are designed with education in mind. Along every path, you’ll find interactive exhibits, QR code stations, and signage that explains the significance of the local environment. It’s a perfect way to turn a simple walk into a hands-on learning experience for all ages.
There are over 3 miles of trails to explore. Fall - Spring are great times to take a hike on their trails — just avoid going in the summer when it's really hot becuase there isn't a lot of shade along the way.
13. Train Ride
All Aboard! The 15 minute train ride at Springs Preserve is an open-air train that travels a short route through the scenic desert trails and exhibits within the Preserve. The ride features commentary about the historical and environmental significance of the land, including its role as the original water source for the Las Vegas Valley. It’s a relaxing ride that blends fun with education. The train ride years ago was an extra cost, but now it's included in your admission ticket.
14. Toddler Playground
Tucked in the back of the Springs Preserve by the Splash Pad is a toddler playground. This cute little playground/playhouse is fun for toddlers — but be sure to bring a stroller, it's quite a walk to get there with little ones.
15. Special Events
The Springs Preserve is famous for their awesome events including the Haunted Harvest, Dia De Muertos, Black History Month, and Earth Day Celebrations.