Nevada has no self-drive safari park. Its options are a guided tram safari at a camel ranch outside Las Vegas, plus two places to see wild burros and wild horses from your car: Red Rock Canyon’s scenic drive and the free roads around Virginia City.
- Camel Safari Las Vegas (Bunkerville)
- Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive (Las Vegas)
- Virginia Range Wild Horses (Virginia City / Reno area)
CAMEL SAFARI LAS VEGAS
Type: Exotic animal ranch and zoo with a guided safari tram (not self-drive), plus camel rides and UTV tours
Location: 2725 River Cliff Rd, Bunkerville, NV 89007 (I-15 Exit 112, about 1 hour northeast of Las Vegas, near Mesquite)
Website: camelsafari.com · Tours & Prices
Social Media: Tripadvisor · TikTok (@camelsafarilasvegas)
Size: 176 acres
Animals: 30+ camels, alpacas, a llama, New Guinea singing dogs, dingoes, a two-toed sloth, an African crested porcupine, tortoises, and a donkey
Tours & Prices:
- Safari Tram Ride + Guided Zoo Tour (about 2 hours): From $59 per adult. Includes a hands-on camel encounter and photo op.
- Camel Ride + Zoo Tour: $149 per person, ages 4+, Fridays and Saturdays only, 250 lb max rider weight
- Guided UTV Safari + Zoo Tour (about 2.5–3 hours): $299 for 2 in a shared UTV, $499 for up to 5
- VIP Private Sunset Safari: Up to 12 guests, with a campfire and s’mores
- Hotel bundles with the Eureka Casino Resort in Mesquite are available.
Hours: By reservation only. Book online, and directions are emailed after booking.
Tips:
- October through April is the most comfortable season. Summer desert heat is extreme.
- Pair the trip with the Valley of Fire State Park drive on the way.
RED ROCK CANYON SCENIC DRIVE
Type: BLM National Conservation Area with a 13-mile, one-way paved scenic drive where wild burros are often seen along the road
Location: Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center, 1000 Scenic Loop Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89161 (about 30 minutes west of the Strip on NV-159)
Phone: Reservations (877) 444-6777
Website: BLM – Red Rock Canyon · Timed Entry Reservations · Fall Hours (Red Rock Canyon LV)
Social Media: No dedicated accounts
Animals: Wild burros (most often along NV-159 and near the Scenic Drive entrance), desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, desert tortoises, coyotes, jackrabbits, and roadrunners
Admission:
- About $20 per private vehicle per day
- America the Beautiful and Red Rock annual passes are accepted.
- Free Entrance Days: October 27 (Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday) and November 11 (Veterans Day). A reservation is still required.
⚠️ Timed Entry Reservations Required:
- October 1 – May 31, for entry between 8 AM and 5 PM. The reservation season started this week.
- Book on Recreation.gov or by phone. You can arrive up to 30 minutes early.
- Without a reservation, you must pass the fee station before 8 AM or after 5 PM.
- Even pass holders need a timed entry reservation.
Hours:
- October: 6 AM – 7 PM
- November – February: 6 AM – 5 PM
- Visitor Center: 8 AM – 4:30 PM
Rules:
- Never feed or approach the burros. Feeding them is illegal, draws them onto the road, and they can kick or bite.
- The drive takes about 40 minutes without stops.
- Parking lots fill between 9 AM and 3 PM on weekends.
- Cell service is limited, so download or print your reservation.
VIRGINIA RANGE WILD HORSES
Type: Free roadside viewing of free-roaming wild horses on the public roads around historic Virginia City
Location: NV-341 (Geiger Grade) and Six Mile Canyon Rd around Virginia City, NV (about 30–40 minutes southeast of Reno)
Animals: Wild horses. Bands are often seen grazing roadside along Geiger Grade, in Virginia City itself, and in the Lockwood / Six Mile Canyon areas.
Admission: FREE
Hours: Daylight. Early morning and evening are best.
Rules & Tips:
- Feeding wild horses is illegal in Nevada, and they cause many collisions. Drive slowly, especially on the curves of Geiger Grade.
- Pull completely off the road to watch, and stay at least 50 feet away.
- Combine the drive with a stroll through historic Virginia City’s C Street.
Explore Drive-Thru Wildlife Parks in Neighboring States:
California · Oregon · Idaho · Utah · Arizona