Bonnie Springs Ranch was originally built in 1843 as a stopover for the wagon trains going to California down the Old Spanish Trail. In 1846, General Fremont, on his way to California, stopped at what is now Bonnie Springs Ranch to gear up for his trip through Death Valley. Since 1952, the ranch has been used as a tourist attraction. Often called "an oasis in the desert", where you can stop for a cool drink of spring water.
Bonnie Springs Ranch got its start back in the early 1950's when Al Levinson, a recently arrived New Yorker, met and married Las Vegas dancer and showgirl, Bonnie McGaugh. Bonnie passed her strong love for the West and its historic past onto her husband, and together they ambitiously decided to recreate and preserve as much of the wild and woolly old Nevada as they could. Levinson began building the little mining town of Old Nevada back in the early 1970's after doing extensive historical research and slowly gathering artifacts from the 1880's. Bit by bit, and piece by piece, Old Nevada grew, built really upon the curiosity and energy of Al and Bonnie.
Today the grounds are a delight for locals and tourists alike. There is a fine dinner house and a quaint cocktail lounge. We have the greatest array of animals for you to pet and feed in our zoo. Both usual and unusual farm animals, and all for free! We have a large stable of horses for your riding pleasure, through thousands of acres of mountains and desert.
And we're open 365 days a year!
Directions to Bonnie Springs Old Nevada:
Follow Charleston Blvd West for 25 miles, we are on the right-hand side.
We are 6 miles past the Red Rock Visitor Center.
Look for the big wooden archway that says, "Old Nevada".
Bonnie Springs Ranch got its start back in the early 1950's when Al Levinson, a recently arrived New Yorker, met and married Las Vegas dancer and showgirl, Bonnie McGaugh. Bonnie passed her strong love for the West and its historic past onto her husband, and together they ambitiously decided to recreate and preserve as much of the wild and woolly old Nevada as they could. Levinson began building the little mining town of Old Nevada back in the early 1970's after doing extensive historical research and slowly gathering artifacts from the 1880's. Bit by bit, and piece by piece, Old Nevada grew, built really upon the curiosity and energy of Al and Bonnie.
Today the grounds are a delight for locals and tourists alike. There is a fine dinner house and a quaint cocktail lounge. We have the greatest array of animals for you to pet and feed in our zoo. Both usual and unusual farm animals, and all for free! We have a large stable of horses for your riding pleasure, through thousands of acres of mountains and desert.
And we're open 365 days a year!
Directions to Bonnie Springs Old Nevada:
Follow Charleston Blvd West for 25 miles, we are on the right-hand side.
We are 6 miles past the Red Rock Visitor Center.
Look for the big wooden archway that says, "Old Nevada".