How come no one is talking about Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary? It is one of the handful of kid-friendly farms, zoos, and aquariums here in the Vegas valley and it is such a great experience for a great cause.
I will note though, there are a LOT of birds there. They are all in confined spaces though, but if birds freak you out completely, this might not be the spot for you.
Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary is 501(c)(3) nonprofit sanctuary committed to the care and protection of rescued exotic animals. From birds to barnyard friends, our mission is to provide a safe, loving environment where animals can thrive—and where families can learn, connect, and be inspired.
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Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary
Location
8103 Racel Street
Las Vegas, NV 89131
Parking
There is parking right in front of the entrance to Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary. The parking lot is actually on Al Carrison St. Parking is FREE!
Hours
Wednesday–Sunday | 9am–3pm
Cost
- Adults: $10
- Seniors/Military: $8
- Youth (3-17yrs): $5
- Under Age 3: FREE
Wednesday Special
Every Wednesday, enjoy $5 admission for all ages! Ages 3 and under are free! (This is when we went and it was well worth it!).
What To Expect
Expect lots of birds, walking, and some more fun animals! While you cannot feed the animals, you get to see them pretty up close which is always a blast for the kiddos.
There is a ton of space to walk around, which is nice, so you never feel like the place is overcrowded. Plan to spend about an hour here!
During our latest visit, there were a few areas closed as they work through renovating the space to offer even more to the public.
Pros & Cons of Visiting
Pros
- Support a local non-profit
- Enjoy lots of animals you don’t typically see here in Vegas
- There is an area (semi-shaded) to sit and eat.
- Misters where the birds are if you need to cool off
Cons
- It is all outdoors, so go during cooler weather
- Closed on Monday/Tuesday
Tips for Your Visit
Wear Walking Shoes
Everything is pretty spread out here, so be sure to wear your walking shoes! Here are some of our favorite barefoot shoes for the family.
These are the barefoot shoes I personally wear and love!
Bring Water & Snacks
I love that you can bring water and snacks into Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary. Most places do not allow it and we all know what it is like to be enjoying an experience and then – BOOM – your littles are hungry!
You can bring (and I totally recommend) bringing your own water and snacks to enjoy. You can pack a little picnic lunch and there is an area with semi-shaded tables as well as an amphitheater to sit around to eat.
Here’s our go-to water bottles for the whole fam. They are leak proof and come in a ton of colors. And if you are looking for high-protein snacks to keep the family going without a sugar crash, check out this list.
Check The Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary Instagram Beforehand
It seems like once a month, they have Tres Ninas Cafe popping up outside before you head in. This is a coffee trailer that offers a handle of different options and you can enjoy your beverage or treat while you are at Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary.
They typically pop-up on Wednesdays during their special $5 admission days, so it’s a win-win to support two local businesses.
You can check out the Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary Instagram page here to see what new fun is going on.
Wear A Hat
While there is some shade, we recommend wearing a hat to protect your skin and keep you cool. There are several areas with animals that don’t have shade (and we all know those are the kids favorite spots to stay and linger).
Rock a “Nevada Mama” hat here – there are baseball caps, denim caps, and trucker hat options for moms and kiddos.
Take a Field Trip Out There
Whether you want to recommend a field trip to your child’s teacher or school or maybe take your own field trip there with your homeschool co-op or nature school, this is such a great option that is very affordable and can be very educational.
Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary has their own Education Volunteers who provide fun, hands-on learning experiences.
You could also go on your own with a group, which is what we did! Learn more about homeschooling in Las Vegas here and check out our nature school and homeschool co-op, Wild Desert Kids here – the first and only nature school and homeschool co-op of its kind in Southern Nevada.
Checking Out Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary
If you haven’t been, we definitely recommend checking out Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary. As the weather cools down or during an early morning, it is a fun treat for the whole family.
Let us know if you’ve been to Gilcrease before and what you thought!