Valley of Fire State Park: A National Park–Quality Stop Near Las Vegas
We love visiting Las Vegas, but not for the same reasons most people go to Sin City. As enticing as The Strip can be, we use it as a home base for exploring outdoor destinations within easy day-trip distance. One of our favorites is Valley of Fire State Park.
Below is a podcast excerpt of us discussing the park
Best in the cooler months
Less than an hour from the city, we always plan our visits for the cooler months, fall through spring. Temperatures are more comfortable, more trails are open, and the hiking is far more enjoyable. We also try to arrive at the park early in the day. Parking lots fill quickly, and the early light makes for better photos and views from the trails.
The park is known for its red sandstone landscape, interesting hiking trails, petroglyphs, and history. Plan to spend a full day here. Bring lunch, plenty of water, and time. This is not a quick stop. Valley of Fire rewards visitors who slow down and explore the park on foot.
Short on time?
But if you are limited on time, a drive through the park is still worth the trip. White Domes Road (sometimes called Mouse’s Tank Road) offers some of the best scenery from the car. Be sure to also stop at the Cabins by the Old Arrowhead Road for a glimpse of what overnight travel looked like in the early days of cross-country automobile trips.
The park has some great hikes
Hiking is the best way to experience the park. Our favorite trail is the Fire Wave. The route is short and leads to one of the most picturesque rock formations in the park. Note that the trail is usually closed from about May 15 through September 30 due to heat. Ask the ranger at the entrance kiosk or visitor center for directions on where to park for this hike. We always park at Parking Lot #3 just before the end of White Domes Road and cross the road to pick up the trail.
Our itinerary
Here’s the itinerary from our most recent visit. For us, it felt like a full day and one we’d gladly repeat:
- Get to the park early. We always enter at the west entrance. Slow down at the entrance station to scan the nearby hills for bighorn sheep.
- Hike the Fire Wave first for the best light, fewer crowds, and cooler temperatures.
- Hike Mouse’s Tank Trail and look for petroglyphs on the adjacent low cliffs.
- Stop at Atlatl Rock to view the petroglyphs and take a lunch break.
- Drive White Domes Road for the scenery.
- Hike the White Domes Loop, stopping at the movie set ruins near the bottom of the canyon.
- Stop at the Cabins for a look around and inside them.
- If there’s still time, hike the short trail east of the Cabins to nearby Elephant Rock.
- We like leaving through the east entrance and driving the scenic road through Lake Mead National Recreation Area back to town.
The park charges an entrance fee. As of this writing, Nevada residents pay $10 and non-residents pay $15 for a daily pass. Annual passes are available. Check the park’s website for the most up-to-date information.
