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Floyd Lamb State Park
From a watering hole to a tourist getaway, Floyd Lamb State Park is a natural, scenic area where Vegas holidaymakers can spend a day or two relaxing, without breaking the bank!
What At the Park?
The facilities on the 2,040-acre park include picnic areas with tables, restrooms, group areas, volleyball, scenic paths and a walking/bicycle path that winds through the park. Inside, Floyd Lamb visitors can explore the Tule Springs Ranch, known as one of the best examples of Pleistocene paleontologic sites in Western North America.
Fossil Discovery
The Tule Springs area was once populated with large mammals, similar to those in Africa today, because it was much cooler and wetter than it is now. Fossil remains have been found in Tule Springs including those of mammoths, bison, horses, camels, giant sloths and other animals.
History
Floyd Lamb State Park was originally known as Tule Springs. The park served as a watering hole for Indians and prospectors who travelled across Nevada. In 1916, John Herbert (Bert) Nay was the first non-Indian to file for water rights and as he acquired more property at Tule Springs he built a blacksmith shop and a storage room. Nay sold his interest in the farm in 1928 when he moved to California.
A Private Retreat
The property remained vacant until prospector Jacob Goumond purchased the land to be a private retreat for his friends. He took advantage of Nevada's changing divorce laws and set up a guest ranch for prospective divorcees. The guests would wait out the six-week residency requirement for the divorce. This was the shortest waiting period in the country. The ranch became a resort area and was glamorised by movie stars who wanted a divorce.
Park Gets Sold
Goumond's grandaughter inherited the ranch when he died in 1954. She sold it to a group of businessmen who formed the Tule Springs Investment Company. They leased out the ranch until the city of Las Vegas bought it in 1964. It was converted into a city park and renamed in honor of State Senator Floyd Lamb. In 1977 the park was acquired by the state through legislative action. Since then it has been operated and maintained by the Division of State Parks.
Further Information
Located northwest of Las Vegas, 20 miles from the Strip, by taking U.S. Highway 95 north, past Ann Road and following the signs to the park.
Open daily, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. from April 4, open daily, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Groups of 25 or more should reserve park space in advance.
Costs $6 per vehicle. Annual passes can be purchased for $45 and last until the end of December.
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