Description

This is a place in the desert where water flows and forms a little spot of green with a few palm trees. There used to be buildings here, but they burned long ago, leaving a few foundations and the palm trees. This isn't a birding destination, but it is one of several places to stop and bird if you are traveling along the north side of Lake Mead.

Water flows from a shallow cave on the hillside above Blue Point, runs down a long, straight, narrow stream channel (probably not entirely natural), and spills out into the open area by the palm trees. There is water and wet ground near the palms, but no spring pool or other open water.

A use-trail leads to the spring, and there are a few short use-trails around the palms, but the area is not developed for hiking. Green riparian vegetation in this sparsely-vegetated section of the Mojave Desert attracts desert species year-round and migrants during spring and fall.

I must admit, however, that I birder here for a few minutes on an afternoon in April and saw absolutely nothing except a soaring Red-tailed Hawk.

Covered picnic tables are available at Rogers Spring, a few minutes south of Blue Point. Food, drinks, and a few other services, but not gasoline, are available at nearby Echo Bay. Complete services are available in Overton to the north.

Location

Blue Point Spring is located east of Las Vegas on the north side of Lake Mead near Echo Bay. The easiest way to get there from downtown Las Vegas is to drive north on Interstate-15 for about 2 miles to Lake Mead Blvd. Exit the Interstate, turn right on Lake Mead Blvd, and drive east out of town, over the mountains, and down to the lake. About 1.8 miles past the Lake Mead entrance station, turn left (east) at the T-intersection onto Northshore Drive, and drive for about 45 minutes to the paved Blue Point Spring parking area (Table 1, Site 661), which is on the left (northwest) side of the road a few minutes north of Rogers Spring (Site 538). The parking area and palm trees can be seen from the road.

Hours

Sunrise to sunset; this is a day-use area.

Fees

It costs $5 per vehicle to enter the Recreation Area (annual passes accepted); after that, there are no extra fees for using the spring area.

Specialties

This is a good place to check the trees and shrubs for desert residents (e.g., Verdin, Black-throated Sparrow, House Finch, and Gambel's Quail) and to look for migrants (e.g., warblers, Green-tailed Towhee, and Lincoln and White-crowned Sparrows) during spring and fall.