Centennial Hills is the northwest gateway to some of the Las Vegas Valley’s best outdoor escapes – desert oases, Ice Age fossils, a u-pick orchard, and Red Rock Canyon, all minutes away. Several of these sit just beyond the community’s edges, so think of this as the best things to do in and around Centennial Hills. Here are 10.
What’s in This Guide
- 1. Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs
- 2. Centennial Hills Park
- 3. Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument
- 4. Gilcrease Orchard
- 5. Ice Age Fossils State Park
- 6. Red Rock Canyon (Nearby)
- 7. Centennial Center Shopping & Dining
- 8. Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary
- 9. Mount Charleston Day Trip
- 10. Local Dining & Breweries
Plan your trip:
- The signature stop is Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs – a 680-acre oasis with ponds, peacocks, and a historic ranch.
- Centennial Hills is a launch point for Ice Age fossils, Gilcrease Orchard, and Red Rock Canyon.
- Centennial Hills Park is one of the valley’s best family parks, with a splash pad and dog parks.
- Mount Charleston – cool mountain air and pine forest – is an easy half-day trip north.
- A chauffeur makes the day trips effortless – no rental car, no parking, no desert-road navigation.
The 10 Best Things to Do
1. Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs
The crown jewel of the northwest valley. This 680-acre desert oasis (9200 Tule Springs Rd) wraps four stocked fishing ponds in green lawns and shade trees, with roaming peacocks, ducks, and geese, plus the preserved buildings of a 1940s Hollywood “divorce ranch.” Fish, picnic, walk, or photograph – it’s the kind of green serenity most visitors never imagine exists in Las Vegas. There’s a small per-vehicle entry fee.
2. Centennial Hills Park
One of the valley’s most beloved family parks (7101 N Buffalo Dr), known for whimsical oversized landscaping, an interactive splash pad, big playgrounds, dog parks, sports fields, and walking paths – right next to the Centennial Hills Library. A perfect low-key morning with kids.
3. Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument
Adjacent to Floyd Lamb Park, this National Park Service site protects Ice Age fossil deposits – Columbian mammoths, ancient bison, and more once roamed here. It’s an undeveloped, primitive monument (bring water, wear sturdy shoes), but a genuinely remarkable “deep history” stop for the curious.
4. Gilcrease Orchard
A working u-pick orchard that functions as a beloved seasonal escape – apples and produce in season, sunflower fields, and a fall pumpkin patch that draws families from across the valley. Bring bags, water, and cash; hours are seasonal, so check before you go.
5. Ice Age Fossils State Park
Nevada’s state park near Tule Springs offers interpretive trails and exhibits on the Ice Age fossils found in the area – a more structured, family-friendly companion to the national monument, with signage and a visitor focus.
6. Red Rock Canyon (Nearby)
The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area’s 13-mile scenic drive, hiking, and world-class rock climbing are only about a 20-minute drive southwest of Centennial Hills – arguably the single best big outdoor day trip from the northwest valley. Timed-entry reservations may apply in peak season.
7. Centennial Center Shopping & Dining
The community’s retail hub brings big-box anchors (Target, Costco, Home Depot), grocery, and a wide range of restaurants – an easy, practical stop to refuel, shop, or grab a meal between outdoor adventures.
8. Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary
A small, low-key nature sanctuary and bird refuge in the area – a quiet spot for a short walk and some birdwatching away from the crowds. Hours and access can be limited/seasonal, so confirm before visiting.
9. Mount Charleston Day Trip
About 45 minutes north, Mount Charleston rises into pine forest that runs 20-30°F cooler than the valley floor – hiking and picnics in summer, snow play in winter. From Centennial Hills it’s one of the most accessible mountain escapes in southern Nevada.
10. Local Dining & Breweries
Skip the Strip prices and eat like a local: the Centennial Hills and northwest corridor has a steady mix of sit-down restaurants, casual eateries, coffee shops, and local breweries – the dependable, everyday dining that makes the area such a comfortable base.
How to Prioritize Your Day
If your time is limited, here’s how these stack up by priority, effort, and who they’re best for:
| Activity | Priority | Effort | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs | Must-do | Half day | Families, nature lovers, anglers |
| Tule Springs Fossil Beds | Must-do | 1-2 hrs | History & science buffs |
| Red Rock Canyon (nearby) | Must-do | Half day | Hikers, climbers, photographers |
| Centennial Hills Park | Local favorite | 1-2 hrs | Families with kids |
| Gilcrease Orchard | Local favorite | 1-2 hrs | Families, fall visitors |
| Centennial Center | Local favorite | Flexible | Shopping, dining, refueling |
| Ice Age Fossils State Park | Easy add-on | 1-2 hrs | Curious families |
| Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary | Easy add-on | 1 hr | Birders, quiet walks |
| Mount Charleston | Easy add-on | Half day | Summer heat escape, snow play |
| Local dining & breweries | Easy add-on | 1-2 hrs | Foodies on a budget |
Getting Around & Day Trips
PSS provides service from any Las Vegas hotel to Centennial Hills and across the northwest valley, at pre-confirmed fixed rates with no surge pricing. The day trips here – Red Rock, Mount Charleston, Floyd Lamb Park – are where a chauffeur really pays off: no rental car, no parking, no desert-road navigation, and the whole group can relax together. For sightseeing and day trips see our attractions transportation service; for background on the community, see the Centennial Hills city guide, and for how it fits the wider valley, our Las Vegas neighborhood guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Centennial Hills?
Mostly outdoors: Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs, Centennial Hills Park, Tule Springs Fossil Beds, Gilcrease Orchard, Ice Age Fossils State Park, and nearby Red Rock Canyon and Mount Charleston, plus shopping and dining at Centennial Center.
Is Centennial Hills worth visiting?
Yes, for the quieter, outdoors-and-family side of Las Vegas – big parks, the Floyd Lamb Park oasis, Ice Age fossils, seasonal orchard fun, and quick access to Red Rock Canyon.
How far is Centennial Hills from Red Rock Canyon?
About a 20-minute drive southwest to the scenic drive – one of the easiest big outdoor day trips from the northwest valley.
Summary: 10 Things to Do in Centennial Hills
| # | Activity | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs | Outdoors |
| 2 | Centennial Hills Park | Parks |
| 3 | Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument | Nature/History |
| 4 | Gilcrease Orchard | Seasonal |
| 5 | Ice Age Fossils State Park | Nature/History |
| 6 | Red Rock Canyon (nearby) | Day trip |
| 7 | Centennial Center shopping & dining | Retail/Food |
| 8 | Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary | Nature |
| 9 | Mount Charleston day trip | Day trip |
| 10 | Local dining & breweries | Food |
Sources & Notes
Recommendations combine public information from the City of Las Vegas, the National Park Service, Nevada State Parks, and local sources with Personal Sedan Services operational knowledge of the northwest valley. Several listed activities sit just beyond Centennial Hills and are included as “in and around” the community. Hours are seasonal for some sites (Gilcrease Orchard, Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary); drive times are approximate and traffic-dependent. Last Updated: May 2026.
