Currently wild horses can be spotted in the following places:
- The premier viewing area is west of I-95 and the Indian Springs prisons up the Cold Creek Road. As you are travelling north on Highway 95 (Reno), past SR 157 (Mt. Charleston-Kyle Canyon) and SR 156 (Lee Canyon), about 40 minutes north of Las Vegas, watch for a big prison complex on the left. Turn west from the left lane of highway just past the small Cold Creek sign. Follow the only paved road between the prisons, heading west through a Joshua tree “forest” about 15 miles toward the Spring Mountains. A 2×2 vehicle is sufficient on the paved road and part way up Cold Creek Road toward Camp Bonanza (google Camp Bonanza or Cold Creek NV for detailed information and terrain maps:). Click for Google Map
- If you look for wild horses and burros on the west flank of the Spring Mountains, you will need a 4×4 for most of the roads. From Las Vegas, take I-15 south to Highway 160 west. As you approach Pahrump on Highway 160, turn right (east) onto Wheeler Pass Road. You can follow the rough gravel road through very dry desert on the western talus slopes where natural springs support horses, elk, deer and burro. Gradually the rugged dirt road climbs into forested areas where you will need a 4×4 with high clearance. For more detail, google Wheeler Pass Pahrump.
- Small bands of wild horses do roam other parts of the Spring Mountains as far north as Armagosa and south to Good Springs but they are difficult, if not impossible, to find because of their tiny numbers. Yet BLM intends to round up most, if not all, of these last survivors that have called these areas home for nearly two centuries.
Currently burros can still be spotted in the following places:
- From the Vegas Strip go west on Charleston Blvd, across I-215 and follow the signs to the Calico Basin and the Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area; alternatively you can go south on I-15, west on I-215, exit west on Charleston Blvd and follow the signs to the Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area or Calico Basin;
- Take Charleston Blvd (it becomes Highway 159) past the Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area turnoff, onward to Spring Mountain State Park and look near grassy areas;
- or continue along Highway 159 and watch for burros near Bonnie Springs and other areas along Highway 159 south toward Highway 160
- Along dirt roads east of Pahrump and Highway 160 – but you will need a 4×4 as you climb to higher elevations.
PLEASE NEVER FEED wild horses or burros. Park safely and walk away from the road to take your photos. Besides a $500 fine, you may be kicked or bitten by the wild ones as they fight for handouts. Feeding brings them to the road where they are hit by speeding cars and trucks. They can die a slow and terrible death from that.
The Spring Mountain Alliance promotes:
- Longterm range analysis of the carrying capacity of the land
- Road & trail monitoring
- Public education at community events and schools
- Certification training in PZP contraceptive darting
- PZP dart guns & contraceptive materials
- Temporary pens and equipment for bait trapping
- Building materials for viewing blinds
- Training programs for guides
- Brochures & materials for public education