A Day at Valley of Fire State Park

Established in 1935, Valley of Fire State Park is 40,000 acres of bright red sandstone and gray limestone left behind by an ancient Jurassic sea. This park is only an hour north of Las Vegas and makes a fantastic day trip for those who want to escape the bustle and neon of the city. Read on for everything you need to know to enjoy an awesome day in Valley of Fire!

Directions

To get here from Las Vegas, we headed north on I-15 for about 30 miles before taking exit 75 and merging onto Valley of Fire Highway for about 15 miles. This two-lane highway stretches across the desert before winding uphill and reaching the entrance sign. This sign overlooks a small valley and offers a great view before heading down into the park.

The Beehives

Our first stop was at the Beehive rocks on the way in. These are the first notable rock formations you’ll come across on the main road and are aptly named for their resemblance to beehives or honeycomb.

Atlatl Rock

Just down the road from the Beehives is the turn to Atlatl Rock. This is a spot I’d definitely recommend for its amazingly preserved petroglyphs. There are a parking lot and picnic shelters below, and you climb a few steep sets of stairs up the rocks to get to the carvings.

Being up high offers great views of the area, and gets you up close to some of the ancient carvings left behind by the Anasazi people over a thousand years ago. The stunning petroglyphs depict a variety of animals, plants, and symbols. The rock itself is named for the atlatl, a primitive weapon similar to a spear that uses leverage to throw at high speeds.

After seeing Atlatl Rock, you can choose to continue to the left around the full loop, passing by Arch Rock Campground and Firecave before coming back to the main road before the Beehives. Or, you can turn back the way you came and head back to the main road. For the sake of time, we didn’t stop by the Firecave, but this seems like a stunning sandstone cave worth stopping by.

The Visitor’s Center

Continuing down the Valley of Fire Highway, you’ll drive through more sagebrush and desert valley with red sandstone on your left and gray limestone mountains in the distance on your right. The next turn will be on your left down Mouse’s Tank Road, and you’ll come across the Visitor’s Center.

I’d recommend at least a brief stop here to pick up maps, info, and water if you don’t already have it. There’s a free water-filling station right outside that visitors are encouraged to use. Inside, there’s a small gift shop selling souvenirs and snacks, and educational exhibits on the flora and fauna you may find in the Valley.

I like to take at least a quick look at this info because I’m the type of person who likes to know what plants and animals I’m looking at (it comes with the territory of being the daughter of an environmental scientist!). And it’s surprising just how much variety of life there is a harsh environment like the desert.

Behind the Visitor’s Center is a small desert garden with plants like cacti and sagebrush that you can find throughout the area, as well as red sandstone cliffs and rock formations.

After the Visitor’s Center, Mouse’s Tank Road continues through a beautiful sandstone canyon. Our next stop was the Petroglyph Canyon trailhead on the right.

Petroglyph Canyon Trail to Mouse’s Tank

This short trail leads to Mouse’s Tank, a natural sandstone basin that collects rainwater. It’s only 0.75 miles, so it can be done quickly. Most of the trail is deep red sand, which can make walking a little slow, but it offers chances to see delicate desert wildflowers, chuckwallas (chubby desert lizards), and petroglyphs etched high up on the canyon walls.

Mouse’s Tank Road

The next stretch of road offers probably the most famous view in this park. There’s room to stop and pull off to the side to snap a photo, and for the best view you can climb up one of the rocks ahead to look back down through the canyon.

Rainbow Vista

We chose to skip this hike because I wanted to do the Fire Wave more, but this is one of the most popular views in the park. The trail is about a mile round trip and offers panoramic views of the desert and the rainbow-colored striated formations of the hills.

Fire Wave Trail

This was my favorite spot to hike to and was absolutely gorgeous when we arrived just before sunset. This formation is like a miniature version of The Wave in Arizona. The zebra-striped rocks were bright pink, red, and white in the golden hour light, and we were some of the only people there at that time. This hike is about 1.5 miles round trip and there’s a dedicated parking lot for it that looks out across some beautiful desert plains.

Details & Info

We went in late May, and couldn’t have asked for better weather. It was about 70 degrees and breezy, so while the sun was bright we were never too hot. The wildflowers were also blooming, so that was an extra little treat.

As for how to be prepared for a day in Valley of Fire, here’s what you should bring:

Water, water, water! Valley of Fire is extremely dry and can get hot in the summer. You probably won’t even realize how much water your body is using, so it’s very easy to get dehydrated. Bring plenty to drink, and remember you can fill up at the Visitor’s Center.
Snacks, if you plan on being there a while.
Hiking boots. A lot of the really cool spots require a bit of walking to get to, although none of the hikes are very difficult. Prepare to have your shoes full of sand by the end of the day, though.
A map. You may or may not have cell service, so it’s best to have an analog form of navigation. Maps are available for free at the Visitor’s Center and at the entrance gate.
It costs $10 per car to get in, so bring cash or a park pass.
Sunglasses, a hat, and/or sunscreen. The sun is pretty much always shining here. Slather on that sunscreen to avoid looking like a lobster, and wear a hat or sunglasses to protect your eyes. The sand and rocks can be bright and reflect sunlight back at your face.

Remember to practice Leave No Trace and carry out any trash you have. Respect fragile rock formations by not climbing on them and obeying signs about staying on the trail. Don’t be one of those people who leaves behind graffiti or litter, because in addition to ruining the experience for others it can carry a hefty fine.

Conclusion

If we’d had more time, I would’ve added Rainbow Vista and Fire Cave to our list. Benton and I only had about 4 hours, but we felt like we got to see most of what the park has to offer. We loved our day in Valley of Fire State Park!

Valley of Fire is now on my list of favorite parks I’ve visited for how unique it is. With its geologic formations, brilliant color (yeah, it really is that red), and ancient petroglyphs, this place isn’t like any other I’ve been to.