Overview

Deer Creek Canyon is a deep, narrow canyon in the Pine-Fir forest with a small, perennial creek. Because of the water, birds from all over the area come to drink and bathe, making this is a good place to bird the arid western forest.

There is no parking in the picnic area; rather, parking is in a big parking area along the highway a few yards north and across the road from the picnic area.

Description

Deer Creek runs down the bottom of the narrow canyon, and the old road (functions as a paved trail) and picnic tables are packed closely between the creek and the northern rocky hillside. Enormous Ponderosa Pines, willows, shrubs, and wild flowers provide cover for the birds and chipmunks who come to the creek for water. Bird the area by walking up the old road, stopping often at the picnic tables to sit and let the birds get used to your presence; they will come back for water. Birding is more difficult on noisy weekend afternoons.

Location

Deer Creek is located northwest of Las Vegas, on the northeast side of Mt. Charleston, about 1 hour from downtown. Drive out to Mt. Charleston. From Highway 95 at Highway 157 (Kyle Canyon Road), turn left onto Highway 157 and drive west for 17.1 miles to Highway 158 (Deer Creek Road), which is just past the Mt. Charleston Hotel. Turn right onto Highway 158 and drive north for 6-7 miles to the Deer Creek parking area (Table 1, Site A). Watch for a large paved parking area on the east (right) side of the road with restrooms and a large sign. Park here; this is the trailhead. Cross the road, and walk south into the Picnic Area (Site B).

Hours

Always open, but consider it day-use only.

Fees

None.

Specialties

Deer Creek is good for finding a variety of woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, warblers, thrushes, and jays.

Species I've seen here: Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Violet-green Swallow, Mountain Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Western Tanager, Chipping Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Black-headed Grosbeak, Purple Finch, Cassin's Finch, and Townsend's Solitaire. ... and this probably isn't all of them!

Also watch for: Mt. Charleston Chipmunk and Western Fence Lizard.