Bonnie Springs Ranch
Experiencing the Wild West like never before
“The Old
West is not a certain place in a certain time, it’s a state of mind." –
Tom Mix
About 30 minutes off the Las Vegas Strip, tucked away at the base of the Springs Mountains, is a wonderful little gem known as Bonnie Springs. As a girl who grew up in Vegas, Bonnie Springs is definitely keeper of some of my most cherished memories. It always offered a magical experience that took me back to a time of lawlessness, cowboys & offered a true Wild West encounter. This is not something to experience with only 2 hours available, I would encourage you to set at least half a day aside to truly enjoy all that Bonnie Springs has to offer.
First things first, a little background of
the Ranch. Originally the land was home to the Paiute Indians until immigrants
took over the land while expanding the Old West, forcing the Indians to dwell
in the enclaves located just beyond the Ranch area. This land, which had
natural springs, was established in 1843 as the last stop along the Old Spanish
Trail for pioneers to refill their water barrels before heading to California.
In 1952, Bonnie McGaugh
purchased the land which consisted of a house and an old run down bar which she
operated without electricity for years. In 1964 she added electricity and
expanded the bar to include a restaurant (Fun fact: Bonnie herself laid the
floor that is in the restaurant by hand!). In 1974 her husband, Al Levinson,
opened the old west style town now known as Old Nevada and in 1986 a 50 room
motel was added to the area. Ever since, Bonnie Springs has been a local
favorite and a staple of many childhood memories most of us can't imagine being
without.
Old
Nevada Mining Town
Old Nevada was built with the vision of an 1880s old west
mining town. It is complete with a wedding chapel, various souvenir stores, an
antique photo shop (where you and your family can create old west style
pictures), a school house, wax museum and a Saloon (which also doubles as a
fully stocked bar). The buildings are either a collection of multiple old
structures pieced together to create new ones or were transported as a complete
building to the town. Some have witnessed paranormal activities and say the
buildings are haunted. Ask any of the employees and they will tell you story
after story of creepy accounts. This area of Bonnie Springs also has the
talent! The wonderful staff put on displays such as a Melodramas, a Hanging and
a Posse Show that will engage you and make you laugh until you cry. For a show
schedule click here https://bonniesprings.com/activities/old-town/. The town is
scattered with authentic mining equipment, wagons and other fun historical
objects. Take a stroll with one of the cowboys walking around town and they
will be nice enough to tell you all they know about Bonnie Springs and all the
displays. The passion that went into building Old Nevada can still be felt. The
love that fueled the labor into creating this Western town is seen in all the
small details that make you feel as if you have traveled back in time to relive
the Wild Wild West.
The
Petting Zoo
The petting zoo opened in the early 1960s after someone
abandoned sheep at the Ranch. Bonnie had such a love for animals she couldn't
turn them away, so she took them in. Ever since, the zoo has adopted several
species of animals including emus, deer, llamas, wolves and more! Most of these
animals were donated, abandoned or injured and nursed back to health thanks to
the Bonnie Springs Ranch. Bring your quarters so you can buy animal food from
the dispensers and get a hands on experience with some amazing little
creatures.
The Restaurant & Bar
While you're out visiting the old west you're bound to get hungry
for some food, food fit for a cowboy in fact. Good news is you won't have to
travel far. The Ranch has an awesome restaurant on site with a beautiful view
of a man made pond where ducks and turtles abound. This affordable little place
was essentially where all of Bonnie Springs started and history lives on, in
fact some of Bonnie's original recipes are still served and adored at the
restaurant. For hours of operations click here https://bonniesprings.com/
The bar is also a great destination for motorcycle riders
to head out to. Hop on your Harley, ride through the scenic mountains and enjoy
a nice cold drink and some delicious food with your friends. You'll notice from
the ceiling of the bar hang hundreds if not thousands of dollar bills. It was a
tradition that started many years ago and on the day after 9/11 they took down
all the money that was collected over the years (totaling almost $19,000!) and
donated it to the local fire department. Since then, every couple of years they
pull down all the dollars hung from the ceiling and continue to donate them to
various non-profits.
Events
If your child's birthday is coming up, company party or if
your signing the dotted line on that marriage license soon, Bonnie Springs
wants to help you celebrate! They offer in house catering & various
locations available on site to accommodate any size gathering. The events
manager will guide you through the planning of your event and help you
customize your special occasion to bring your vision into a reality. By
understanding your specific needs he will be able to provide you and your
guests with an experience that cannot be replicated anywhere else. For more
information, call the main office at (702) 875-4194
While out at the Ranch you can also enjoy horseback riding,
pony rides, a train ride and on the last Saturday of every month you can shoot
live zombies (talk about an oxymoron!) with paintball guns for the ultimate
Walking Dead experience. For information regarding all of these activities
click here https://bonniesprings.com/
The Wild West is still alive and well in the back mountains
of the Las Vegas area. Only a short drive from The Strip it will offer you
memories to last a lifetime.
Bonnie Springs Ranch
Phone: (702) 875-4194
16395 Bonnie Springs Road
Las Vegas, NV 89124
www.bonniesprings.com
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| Wild West Cowboy Show, they love interacting with the folks! |
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| Bonnie Springs will take you to an entirely different world |
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| My son being deputized, receiving his badge and taking his oath |
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| This little guy can't wait to get some treats! |
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| The Bonnie Springs restaurant serves up some delicious food |
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| Talk about a beautiful backdrop |
