Description

Longstreet Spring emerges into a deep, clear, 40-foot-diameter spring pool that is surrounded by mesquite and ash trees, plus lots of shrubs, sedges, and forbs. Away from the edge of the spring, the vegetation quickly changes to mesquite thickets with saltgrass, and then dry desert saltbush and old farm fields. A strong outflow stream flows west along a cattail-filled ditch, the noise of which makes it hard to hear the birds.

Location

Longstreet Spring is located on the Ash Meadows National Wildlife, about 2 hours northwest of Las Vegas and about 3.25 air-miles north of the Refuge Office.

From Las Vegas, drive out to Ash Meadows National Wildlife. From the Refuge Office (Table 1, Site 691), drive out to the main refuge road. Drive straight across the main road and continue driving north (actually northwest here) on the well-graded dirt road for about 3.4 miles to the Longstreet Spring parking area (Site 697). Watch for a large parking area on the west (left) side of the road with a large, upended, piece of caliche just beyond the parking barriers. From the parking area, walk west on the closed road for about 150 yards to Longstreet Spring (Site 590).

Hours

The refuge is day-use only: open sunrise to sunset.

Fees

None.

Specialties

Longstreet Spring is a good place to see desert species when they come in for water. Check the trees and shrubs for finches, sparrows, warblers, Gambel's Quail, Mourning Doves, and similar species.

Longstreet Spring is also good for finding migrants, but the species mix depends on the season, and during migration it depends on just who is moving through at the time. Review the refuge bird list for some ideas on what to expect during the time of year when you will be visiting.