Ultimate Guide to Nevada's Valley of Fire State Park
Updated: Sep 17, 2022
The Valley of Fire State Park is located in the south of Nevada, about 50 miles or 80 kilometers to the east of Las Vegas. It’s the oldest and largest state park in Nevada and is known for its bright red sandstone formations that appear to be on fire during sunset. Filled with beautiful panoramic vistas, short hiking trails, petroglyphs, and scenic drives, the Valley of Fire makes for a perfect day trip from Las Vegas. In this guide we’ll highlight the things you need to know before you go as well as the best things to do in the Valley of Fire State Park.
Check out our video of the Valley Of Fire State Park to get a sense of what it's like there!
Things to know before you visit the Valley of Fire State Park
1. There is no public transportation to the Valley of Fire
The Valley of Fire cannot be reached by public transportation and you’ll need a car to visit the park. It’s best to rent a car in Las Vegas or book a day tour from there.
2. Price to enter the Valley of Fire State Park
It costs 10$ per vehicle per day or 15$ for vehicles that are not from Nevada to enter the Valley of Fire State Park.
3. Opening hours and best time to visit the Valley of Fire
The opening hours from the park are from sunrise to sunset. Sunrise and sunset are the best times to visit as well because it’s a lot quieter. The best seasons to visit are probably spring and fall when it’s pleasantly warm.
4. Valley of Fire roads
There are two main roads that wind through the park:
The Valley of Fire Highway runs west to east and this is where the two entrances are located.
Mouse’s Tank Road runs from the Visitor Center to the north into the heart of the park. This is the most scenic part of the park.
5. Time you'll need to explore the Valley of Fire
You need at least a few hours to visit the park and see the viewpoints. To have the best experience, we recommend exploring a full day but there’s enough to see if you want to spend two days as well.
6. Camping in the Valley of Fire State Park
If you plan to spend two days here, there are two campsites near the west entrance of the park. The fee is $20.00 per vehicle, per night or $25.00 for non-Nevada Vehicles. It’s an additional $10.00 for sites with utility hookups
7. Food and restaurants
The last thing you should know is that there are no restaurants or stores in the park so make sure to pack your food. The park has barbecues at certain parking lots that you can use if you bring your own coals.
You can find more information on the official state park's website.
The 5 best viewpoints in the Valley of Fire State Park
1. Mouse’s Tank Road
This road is one of the most photographed spots in the Valley of Fire State Park. There are several places along Mouse’s Tank Road that offer a great view. We hiked up a rock at the Rainbow Vista Parking Lot to see the winding road from above.
2. The Fire Canyon Overlook
The Fire Canyon Overlook is located along the Fire Canyon Road and offers a great view of white and red rock formations combined.
3. Atlatl Rock
Atlatl Rock has the best display of petroglyphs in the park. These date back some 4,000 years. To see them up close, you need to climb a small metal staircase that has been installed on the side of the sandstone formation.
4. Arch Rock
Arch Rock can be seen from the Scenic Loop Road near Atlatl Rock and is basically a large arch in sandstone.
5. Seven Sisters
The Seven Sisters is a group of seven tall, red, eroded boulders surrounded by the sandy desert. It’s a great place to have lunch and take in the scenery!
The 5 best hiking trails in the Valley of Fire State Park
1. Elephant Rock
Elephant Rock is located near the east entrance of the park and is an absolute must-visit in the Valley of Fire. It’s a 0.25 mile or 0.5 km walk to reach the rock from the parking lot. You can also hike it as a loop if you would like. As the name suggests, the rock resembles an elephant!
2. Mouse’s Tank
Mouse’s Tank is a short 1 mile or 1.5 km round trip hike, which takes approximately 30 minutes. The elevation gain is only 16 meters and the hike has petroglyphs on the rocks along the way. The Mouse’s Tank hike ends at a natural rock basin where water collects after rainfall.
3. Rainbow Vista
Rainbow Vista is again a 1 mile or 1.5 km out-and-back trail with a panoramic view at the end. It took us about 35 minutes total to walk this trail. However, you can also stop at the parking lot here and take some pictures of the rocks as it’s a beautiful view as well.
4. The White Domes Loop
The White Domes Loop is an amazing hike in the Valley of Fire. This loop trail is 1.25 miles or 2km long and takes about 1 to 2 hours of hiking. The elevation gain is about 53 meters. This is the most challenging hike in the park as it has a descent at the beginning and an ascent at the end of the trail. Highlights include a small slot canyon, beautiful views, and the remains of an old movie set.
5. Seven wonders trail & Fire Wave
The Seven Wonders trail literally combines the best scenery into one hike, with
views of the Fire Wave as well as the Pink Canyon. It’s a 2.3 mile or 3.7-kilometer hike and takes about 1 to 2 hours to complete depending on how long you take to enjoy the views. The hike winds through pink, yellow and coral sandstone, which is absolutely breathtaking. We suggest doing this hike two hours before sunset as there will likely be fewer crowds at that time. It also allows you to watch the sunset from the Fire Wave. You also could do the hike as a shorter out and back trail if you only want to see the Fire Wave. This trail is closed from June 1st until September 30th due to high temperatures.
Free Giveaway
Did you enjoy our article on what to do in the Valley of Fire State Park? Make sure to download our free giveaway, which includes the top 100 bucket list destinations from around the world.
More Helpful Info About the Valley Of Fire State Park
If you still need more information about things to do when visiting the Valley Of Fire State Park, make sure to check out these other great articles below:
15 Best Things To Do In The Valley Of Fire, Nevada by Earth Trekkers
The ultimate 1-day Valley of Fire State Park itinerary: 12 best hikes & photo spots by Brooke Beyond
Valley of Fire State Park - Best Things To See And Do In Half A Day by Travel? Yes Please!
