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  • Writer's pictureLena Claeys

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.


car valley of fire state park


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.


map roads valley of fire


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.


mouse's tank road valley of fire state park


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.


fire canyon overlook valley of fire state park


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.


petroglyphs valley of fire state park


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!


seven sisters valley of fire state park



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.


mouse's tank trail valley of fire state park


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.


rainbow vista hike valley of fire state park


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.


white domes hike valley of fire state park


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.


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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:




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Hi! We are Ine & Zac. An international travel couple from Belgium and the US. We created World Wild Hearts to inspire life-changing travel experiences like we've had. Use these tips, stories, and guides to inspire your next adventure of a lifetime!

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