A Great Park Near Las Vegas - Valley of Fire State Park
Written: Jun 30 '05 (Updated Apr 23 '08)
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Pros: Easy access to most sites, Ability to hike and explore, Amazing vistas
Cons: It can get hotter than heck!
The Bottom Line: The Valley of Fire has its own special charm that should enchant anyone who visits
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| jps246's Full Review: Valley of Fire State Park |
Tired of Las Vegas and already been to Hoover Dam, then you should consider a half-day trip to the Valley of Fire State Park. The park is about an hour north of Las Vegas on Interstate 15, but it’s a world away from the hustle, bustle and lights of the city. You’ll find dramatic desert landscapes, Native American petroglyphs, interesting geological formations and more – and a great majority of the sites are easily accessible by car and with short walks.
Much like Red Rock Canyon just to the west of Las Vegas, the Valley of Fire State Park (VoFSP) showcases the red sandstones of the area. The stones have been carved over time by wind and water and the entire area presents a stunning scene.
A word of caution though, the VoFSP is located in the desert. During the summer months it can be unbearably (and dangerously) hot. During those times, it’s best to stick to the air conditioned car, but if you can get there early in the morning or during the cooler months – there’s plenty to explore when you get outside of your car. Even if you’re just driving, make sure to bring plenty of water and bring some sunscreen so you won’t burn if you do go and look at any of the sites.
Getting to the Valley of Fire
The park is quite easy to get to from Las Vegas because it is located only a few miles off of Interstate 15 at Exit 75. There is a gas station and convenience store when you first get off the exit. This is the only gas station until you get to the other side of the park and head to one of the marinas on Lake Mead.
There’s only one way to go once you’re off at Exit 75 and the park entrance is about ten or so miles down the road. When you reach the entrance, there is a fee to use the park, which as of 2005 was only $6 per of people (you can’t get much of a better deal at any other nearby park).
There are two major roads in the park – Route 169 travels through the park roughly from west to east and a side road that runs from the visitor center over to the White Domes area of the park. All along these roads are various pull-offs and scenic areas. Some are directly off the road, others require short walks to reach. There is also a small 2-mile loop road that travels to Arch Rock and the Arch Rock campground. Portions of this road are dirt, but just about any car should be able to make the trip.
To return to Las Vegas you can either reverse your course and head back through the VoFSP or head southward along Lake Mead towards Henderson and Boulder City and then turn west and head towards Las Vegas.
Park Services
In addition to the scenic qualities of the Valley, the park offers picnic areas, group-use areas and campgrounds. Most of the major scenic areas offer shaded picnic areas that also have grilling stations. There are 3 group use areas (one of them was being used for a wedding when I traveled through the area) and there are two campgrounds that have about 50 camping spots between them. The campgrounds are run on a first-come, first-served basis, so you shouldn’t plan on being able to find a campsite at the park.
There are also several marked hiking trails in the park, along with the opportunity to travel in the backcountry to explore more of the park.
Pets are allowed in the park, but must be kept leashed at all times.
What you’ll find in the Valley of Fire
The great majority of the most interesting sites are located near the two roadways in the park and make it a great place for an automobile tour, especially for people who aren’t interested (or who are unable) in walking or hiking in the desert. Entering the park from the west, the first major site you come upon are the Beehives, which are rock formations that appear to resemble beehives. The sandstone has been eroded over time by the wind and water, exposing the layers and creating rounded shapes of various sizes.
The Beehives are located directly off of the road and even if you don’t get out and explore them, it’s worth a stop in the parking area to take a look. There is a group-use area that includes a campground besides the beehives. The group-use area is only open to the groups using it, not the general visiting public.
Next along the road is Atlatl Rock, where you will find Native American petroglyphs carved into the side of a high cliff. There is an iron stairway built on the cliff to bring you to the petroglyphs, which are probably like 100 or so feet above the ground and scattered around the cliff faces. The climb up the stairs can be a bit harrowing, but is well worth it. Some of the petroglyphs have been damaged by careless people and are now protected behind plexiglass. There are also a few interpretive signs at the site to give you an idea about the Native Americans that used to live in the area. The Atlatl Rock campground is located nearby and offers campsites.
Just beyond Atlatl Rock is Arch Rock, located on its own loop road. Here the rocks take the shape of an arch and Arch Rock Campground is just beyond on the loop road. The rest of the loop road gives you a chance to get views throughout the valley and even though it is dusty and bumpy (it’s unpaved), it is well worth the extra time to travel along. You will come out on the main road just to the west of Atlatl Rock.
You’ll also find Elephant Rock on your way, just a short hike from the road and Mouse’s Tank, a slightly longer walk from the road. The trail to Mouse’s Tank takes you past several petroglyph covered rocks and gives you a good opportunity to experience the desert outside of your car on a fairly short walk. The trail winds through a small canyon that has several smaller slot canyons off of it, where you can go off-trail and explore. The trail ends at Mouse’s Tank, a pool above a large drop where water collects and can last for months. From here you can either turn around and go back to your car or explore the canyons beyond. The total walk is probably about ¾ of a mile roundtrip.
The Visitor’s Center is a must stop for anyone visiting the park – there are exhibits on the geology, ecology and human history of the region. Rangers are available to answer questions and there is a small gift shop that sells books on the Valley of Fire area in addition to other items. You can also fill up your water bottles at the Visitor Center, though no water is sold there so you must have your own bottles.
Following the side road off of Route 169, you’ll have a chance to take in the Rainbow Vista, which offers a panoramic view of much of the Valley of Fire area, explore the Fire Canyon/Silica Dome overlook and take a look at petrified logs that are slowly being eroded out from the rocks. At the end of this dead-end road are the White Domes, which are immense hills of white sandstone that appear to roll up out of the surrounding sand and rock. There’s a roughly 3 ½ mile round-trip trail that takes you around the domes. There’s also a fairly large picnic area at the end of the road that gives you good views of the domes.
A nifty fact on the White Domes…This is where the desert scenes in Star Trek: Generations was filmed. The area was also host to several other movies and there are remnants of sets from some of the older films before they were required to leave no trace of the filming.
On the way out of the park as you head eastward towards Lake Mead you’ll find the Seven Sisters rock formation – a series of sandstone towers and then The Cabins picnic area.
Will I cook in the heat of the desert?
The VoFSP is located in the desert and it can get very hot. In the summer months temperatures will over 100 degrees are common and beyond the shade of some of the picnic areas, there are few unexposed areas. If you decide to visit the park in the height of the summer, expect to spend much of the time in your car and don’t expect to be hiking on any of the side trails.
If you hit the park during other times of the year, the temperature is much more manageable. I was there during late April and temperatures were about 80 degrees at their hottest.
In the wintertime it’s even cooler – though because of its desert location, the park always received lots of sunshine and anyone hiking or walking in the park should dress appropriately to protect themselves from the sunshine and bring plenty of water to stay hydrated.
For more information
The Nevada Division of State Parks maintains a website for the VoFSP that offers basic information on the park. The site can be reached at:
http://parks.nv.gov/vf.htm
Final Thoughts
The Valley of Fire State Park is well worth a visit for anyone. It’s highly accessible to both people who want to stay in their car and for people who want to get out and explore. The admission into the park is inexpensive and everyone who visits will leave feeling that they had a good experience (unless you forget that sunscreen).
While the park doesn’t rival places like the Grand Canyon or Zion National Park, the Valley of Fire has its own special charm that should enchant anyone who visits.
Take a tour for a few hours or spend the night, Valley of Fire State Park is worth a visit if you are in the Las Vegas region.
More Vegas Area Attractions
Hoover Dam (AZ/NV) / Red Rock Canyon (NV) / Buccaneer Bay Pirate Battle at Treasure Island / New York-New York Hotel/Casino / Mandalay Bay Hotel/Casino / Excalibur Hotel/Casino / Circus Circus Hotel/Casino / Treasure Island Hotel/Casino / The Las Vegas Strip
More Southwestern Parks
Walnut Canyon National Monument (AZ) / Wupatki National Monument (AZ) / Meteor Crater (AZ) / Sunset Crater (AZ) / Quail Creek State Park (UT) / Snow Creek Canyon State Park (UT) / Zion National Park (UT) / Zion Narrows Slot Canyon Hiking(UT)
Recommended:
Yes
Best time to go: March-May
Recommended for: Anybody
Review Topic: Overview
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