The Valley of Fire State Park is Nevada’s oldest, and largest, State Park. Located off I-15 at Exit #75, the Valley of Fire is just 30 minutes from Las Vegas. The Valley of Fire offers something for everyone: Sightseeing from your car, Hiking, Biking, Camping, RV Camping. Check out the Native American Petroglyphs, Mouses Tank, Petrified Logs, and more.
Visitor’s Center: The visitor center provides exhibits on the geology, ecology, prehistory, and history of the park and the nearby region. It is strongly recommended that each visitor make this an early stop after entering the park. Postcards, books, and film are on sale for your convenience. Open daily, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There is a brand new Gift Store inside the Visitor’s Center that just opened in November 2011, so be sure to check out the new items!
Camping:All campsites are first come, first serve. There are two campgrounds with a combined total of 73 units. Campsites are equipped with shaded tables, grills, water, and restrooms. A dump station and showers are available.
RV Camping: RV Sites are available that provide power and water hookups. There is an additional fee of $10 per night for the hookups.
Picnic Sites: There are picnic areas with shade and restroom located at Atlatl Rock, the Cabins, Seven Sisters, White Dome, and near Mouse’s Tank Trail Head.
Group Sites: Group areas that accommodate up to 45 people are available by reservation only, for day and overnight use.For information call Valley of Fire State Park (702) 397-2088. Additional Fees apply.
General Information
Below you will find some general information about the Valley of Fire State Park. For complete information, please visit the Valley of Fire State Park Website
The Valley of Fire State Park is Nevada’s oldest, and largest, State Park. It was dedicated in 1935 and covers 34,880 acres. Why is it named the Valley of Fire? Once you see it, or see photos, you’ll have your answer! The Red Sandstone Formations were created during the age of dinosaurs, 150 million years ago, from sand dunes that shifted. This shifting, along with lots of erosion combined with uplifting and faults, created the uniquely shaped formations that make up the Valley of Fire State Park. Many of the rock formations also include limestone, shale, and conglomerates. When the sun is reflecting at the right angle, the formations appear to be on fire!
It is estimated that the park was used by people from about 300 B.C. to about 1150 A.D, first by the Basket Maker People and later by the Anasazi Pueblo Farmers who lived in the nearby Moapa Valley, a fertile land because of the existence of the Muddy River. It is assumed that the visits were for food gathering, hunting, and religious ceremonies. It is doubtful that any of these early people lived for any length of time in the Valley of Fire, because of the lack of water. They definitely stayed long enough to leave behind awesome petroglyphs, the rock art on the canyon walls. These drawings are visible at several locations within the park, keep reading to find the best places to view them. It is VERY important to NOT touch the petroglyphs, as even the small amount of oils from your hand can be incredibly damaging.
The best times to visit the Valley of Fire?? ANYTIME!! Seriously, although the summer daily highs can exceed 100 degrees (120 even!), if you visit early in the morning before the sun gets too high, it’s not unbearable. The middle of the day? Go to Lake Mead during the hottest part! Spring and Fall are great, with comfortable temperatures during the day ranging from 70-85 degrees, depending on when you visit. Click here to get detailed information on the Average Temperatures by Month for the Valley of Fire State Park from weather.com.
The desert plant life in the area is abundant, with creosote bush, burro bush, and brillte bush. The variety of cactus species include beaver tail and cholla make for great pictures, especially when the flowering begins in the spring. The roads in the spring are awash with color from the Desert Marigolds, Indigo Bush and Desert Mallow.
Although there are plenty of animals in the Valley of Fire, many are nocturnal and not seen by the majority of visitors. Be on the lookout for many different kinds of lizards and snakes; and if you’re really lucky, you might spy Big Horn Sheep, Coyotes, Kit Foxes, Spotted Skunks, Black Tailed Jack Rabbits, and Antelope Ground Squirrels. Resident birds include the raven, house finch, sage sparrow, and roadrunner. Many migrant birds also pass through the park.
If you’re EXTREMELY lucky, you might see a Desert Tortoise. If you do, take care not to disturb it in any way: don’t try to touch it or get close to it.Why? I got this information from desertmuseum.org: “Unlike us, a desert tortoise can reabsorb moisture from its bladder; in effect, it carries a built-in canteen. If you pick up a wild tortoise, the frightened reptile is likely to dump its water supply–a minor nuisance for you, but a major problem for the tortoise, which in a severe drought could die before the next rainstorm allows it to refill!”
Accordion Content
Must See Highlights
Below are some spots you do not want to miss when visiting the Valley of Fire State Park. To get information about all the highlights, View/Download the Valley of Fire Map
An Atlatl was the predecessor to the bow and arrow, and this area has some amazing examples of petrogyphs. It is located near the West Entrance of the Valley of Fire State Park, and to view the petroglpyhs, you climb a staircas that is approximately 40 feet high.There is a campground located at Atlatl Rock and it has 44 campsites as well as several new RV Hookups with Power and Water. There is a modern restroom and shower building, and each campsite comes with shaded tables and BBQ Grills. Please see Fee information in the Visiting the Park Section for additional fees for camping
GPS Coordinates: 36.42383333, -114.55050000
The Beehives rock formations are an impressive example of the forces of nature. The swirling patterns carved into the rocks created what can only be described as giant stone beehives
GPS Coordinates: 36.41283333, -114.54841111406142
There is a commemorative White Cross in the Valley of Fire on the South Side of State Route 169, placed to honor the memory of John J. Clark. He was a retired 45th New York Infantry Volunteer, 67 years old, who died at the spot on July 15, 1915.Captain Clark was driving through the area in a buckboard, with his horse tied to the buckboard, and he died..most likely in seach of water.
GPS Coordinates: 36.42600000, -114.46833333
This amazing rock formation in the Valley of Fire State Park has been described as looking like an ancient mammoth! This formation is just one of the many different and uniquely shaped formations that can be viewed throughout the park. Elephant Rock is located right on the main road in the Valley of Fire, near the East Entrance. Parking is prohibited there, but you can park at the East Entrance parking lot and take a short 1/3 mile hike to get up close.
GPS Coordinates: 36.42831 , -114.45998
Fire Wave is an easy 1.2 mile hike that offers incredible views of some amazing rock formations. The formations you see here are used in many advertisements and promotions for the State of Nevada and the Valley of Fire.
The Mouse’s Tank in the Valley of Fire State Park derives is name from the legend of a an alleged outlaw Indian named “Little Mouse”. The legend tells that he was wanted for murder and hid out in Mouse’s Tank in the 1890’s. There are a few versions of the legend, and a few rebuttals, you can read more about it by clicking here. Mouse’s Tank is reached via a half mile trail from the parking area. It is a natural depression in the sandstone and after rainfall, water collects here. Because it is mostly shaded, the water sometimes remains for months.
GPS Coordinates: 36.441245, -114.516535
There are petrified logs here, evidence that the Valley of Fire State Park was once a forested area. The logs are located behind a fence in order to preserve them from vandalism. They were washed into this area approximately 225 million years ago, and there are two trails with interpretive signs leading up to them.
GPS Coordinates: 36.42133333, -114.54400000
This interpretive Trail begins just north of the Visitor’s Center, is 1/2 mile long, and follows some of the best petroglyphs available in the Valley of Fire. This is an easy hike along a sandy trail. It is VERY important that you do NOT touch the petroglyphs, as they can be easily damaged and history of this sort can’t simply be repaired or replaced. Although nobody can say for certain what the petroglyphs mean, there is a sign at the beginning of the trail that explains the most commonly accepted meanings. The trail ends at Mouse’s Tank.
GPS Coordinates: 36.44107 , – 114.51659
The Seven Sisters in Valley of Fire State Park is a collection of 7 uniquely shaped rock formations with a stark desert backdrop that makes a great background for photos. There is a picnic area at the Seven Sisters location with Picnic Tables, Shaded areas, and restrooms
GPS Coordinates: 36.42633333, -114.50200000
There are 2 Rock Cabins in the Valley of Fire State Park, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s. The Cabins were built using native sandstone, and they were built to shelter weary travelers. GREAT picture taking spot.
GPS Coordinates: 36.43050000, -114.48133333
This easy, 1 1/4 mile trail is one of the best in the park. Not only does it offer incredible views of the colorful rock formations,it also contains some movie history!.’The Professionals’ starring Burt Lancaster and Lee Marvin was filmed here in 1935. The film crew left behind one of the props, a wall from the cantina set, and it still has the bullet holes! There is also a sign that tells about the different movies that have been filmed in the region. Walking on this trail will lead you to an incredible slot canyon-75 feet height and 17″ wide at its narrowest point. The twists and turns in this canyon cause you to not be able to see the entrance and exit at the same time.
GPS Coordinates: 36.48550000, -114.53283333
Area Services
The Valley of Fire itself has restrooms, a Gift Shop and Visitor’s Center.
EAST ENTRANCE: The towns of Overton/Logandale/Moapa in Moapa Valley are just 10 minutes from the East Entrance of the Valley of Fire State Park and offer services including Gas Stations, Propane Sales, Restaurants, Lodging, Off Road Vehicle Sales, Service and Rentals, Tours and Activities, Shopping, and more.
WEST ENTRANCE: The Moapa Band of Paiutes operate the Moapa Tribal Plaza located at the West Entrance to the Valley of Fire State Park. The Moapa Tribal Plaza offers a gas station, restrooms, truckers plaza, snack bar, fireworks sales, beverages, snacks, gifts and more.
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When you are in the park you may see a beautiful bush in bloom. Take a close look at it and you may also notice a spike shaped like a cat’s claw. This bush is called Catclaw, some bushes you see in the park will have lots of leaves and flowers and some may not. Get up close, take a good look at the flowers, and inhale the sweet scent.
Happy Friday! Are you loyal to what you love? Are you true to the earth? Do you fight your enemies with passion and laughter? We hope so! And we hope you have a good weekend doing what you love.
