Description

Calico Basin is a colorful desert area tucked between the gray limestone La Madre Mountains to the north, the red sandstone Calico Hills to the west, and a desert ridge to the south. Three springs with permanent water emerge from the base of the red and white sandstone cliffs: Red Spring, Calico Spring, and Ash Spring. Water also emerges from several seeps in the area, and water runs in washes to the north and south of the springs area during winter. The springs support trees, thickets, and an open meadow. Compared to the surrounding desert, Calico Basin is sheltered and moist, and it is easy to understand why Native Americans, birds, and other wildlife spend time there.

Red Spring flows from a shallow tunnel in the rocks on the far side of the boardwalk, and several other seeps in the area support large Velvet Ash Trees, thickets of Shrub Live Oak and Honey Mesquite, plus a meadow of Saltgrass and sedges. It also supports a diverse collection of wildlife including birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and invertebrates. All of this is surrounded by Mojave Desert Scrub vegetation, including Creosote Bush, White Bursage, Mojave Yucca, and Joshua Trees.

The outflow from Red Spring feeds the meadow (a marshy grassland). The meadow is fenced to protect it from trampling by wild burros, and the elevated boardwalk is intended to keep humans off the meadow. Please stay off the meadow.

There are three groups of trees to check for birds: one near the parking area (boardwalk switchbacks), one at the southwest corner of the boardwalk (Red Spring), and another at the base of the cliffs north of the meadow (outside the fenced area). The Shrub Live Oaks and desert areas along the cliffs are good for birding, and be sure to scan the meadow and open skies.

Location

The Calico Basin Picnic Area is located in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area on the west side of the Las Vegas Valley, about 30 minutes from downtown.

Hours

Sunrise to sunset.

Fees

Admission to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is $5 per day per vehicle (annual passes accepted), but they do not seem to be collecting fees at the Calico Basin Picnic Area.

Specialties

During migration, a variety of species can be found here. During summer, this is a good site for White-throated Swifts, Violet-green and Northern Rough-winged swallows, several species of warblers, Western Kingbirds and other flycatchers, and sparrows including Black-throated, Brewer's, and Lark sparrows. Breeding species include Ladder-backed Woodpeckers, Western Scrub-jays, Phainopepla, Verdin, Gambel's Quail, Black-chinned Hummingbirds, Spotted Towhees, Bushtits, Chukar, and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. Unfortunately, European Starlings and European House Sparrows also breed here.

Also keep an eye out for Black-tailed Jackrabbits, Desert Cottontail Rabbits, White-tailed Antelope Squirrels, Side-blotched Lizards, and Western Whiptail Lizards. In the springs, be careful of the tiny Spring Mountains Springsnail which can only be found in Red Spring and a few other springs in the area. The rare Alkali Mariposa Lily and Stream Orchids also occur in the meadow.