Visit Valley of Fire Park (Ultimate guide)
Valley of Fire is a magnificent state park located in southeastern Nevada, about an hour's drive from Las Vegas.
Its proximity to the city makes it a perfect day trip. If you're heading towards Zion, be sure to take a small detour to visit it.
The trip is worth it, promised!
Until you can visit on your future USA tour, discover our practical guide to prepare for your visit to Valley of Fire park.
Valley of Fire state park map
Why visit Valley of Fire ?
You'll soon understand why this state park is so named when you see the flamboyant colors that enhance the rock formations of this desert park, especially at sunset.
It's not for nothing that it appears on our list of the most beautiful sunsets in the American West 
Located less than an hour's drive from Las Vegas, Valley of Fire is the largest and oldest park in Nevada.
Your visit will be a real journey back in time: the park is home to petrified trees and Native American petroglyphs over 2,000 years old, as well as geological formations dating back to the time of the dinosaurs.
Just drive the scenic roads to enjoy the grand landscapes that will rise before your eyes.
Hiking enthusiasts who want to explore the park further will not be disappointed with the many trails of various lengths and difficulty levels.
Open year-round, the park has a Visitor Center where you will find information on hikes as well as exhibits on the geology, ecology, and history of the park and the surrounding area.
Focus on this state park, a geological wonder with striking contrasts.
What to do at Valley of Fire?
To make it easier to guide you during your visit to Valley of Fire, I've listed the must-sees that line the park's 3 roads.
The 3 scenic drives of Valley of Fire
- Valley of Fire highway: the road that runs through the park from east to west.
- Mouse's Tank Road: the dead-end road that branches off from Valley of Fire highway heading north.
- Loop road: the loop at the west entrance of the park, accessible from Valley of Fire highway.
In the following lines, I list all the must-see spots on these roads as well as hikes not to be missed.
Valley of Fire highway
Whether you're arriving from Las Vegas or the north, this is the road you will enter the park from.
17 km long, it crosses Valley of Fire from east to west and serves several attractions worth stopping at, whether for picnicking or simply admiring the beauty of the place.
Don't miss:
- Beehives : This is certainly what these eroded sandstone formations will remind you of when you see them.
- Seven Sisters : visible from the road, the Seven Sisters are huge rocks eroded by time, which suddenly contrast with the flatness of the desert of previous kilometers. It's a perfect spot to picnic in the shade.
- The Cabins : historical, these small cabins were built with valley sandstone in the 1930s for travelers. The site now serves as a picnic area.
Hike
Elephant Rock
Length: 1.9 km (loop)
Duration: 45 min
Difficulty level: easy
Located near the east entrance of Valley of Fire, a short trail will guide you to this formation which, as its name suggests, strangely resembles a large pachyderm. Elephant Rock is also visible from the road but stopping to take photos is prohibited.
Mouse’s Tank Road
In my opinion, this is the most beautiful part of Valley of Fire. The landscapes you will discover traveling Mouse's Tank Road will not fail to leave you speechless.
8 km long, the road is winding and on either side of it are several parking lots, starting points for several hikes including the one leading to the famous Fire Waves.
Hikes:
Mouse Tank
Length: 1.1 km round trip
Duration: 30 min
Difficulty level: easy
This short walk will take you to one of the best places in Valley of Fire to observe many petroglyphs. The trail ends at Mouse's Tank, a natural sandstone basin that retains water even during dry periods.
Fire Waves
Length: 2.4 km round trip
Duration: 1 hour
Difficulty level: easy
Visiting Valley of Fire without going to the Fire Waves would be a missed opportunity! Perfectly marked, this trail will take you to the Fire Waves, beautiful multi-colored waves very photogenic. The best time to complete this hike is an hour before sunset or in the early morning.
Rainbow vista
Length: 1.6 km round trip
Duration: 45 min
Difficulty level: Easy
A short and picturesque trail leading to the Fire Canyon Overlook. You'll have a panoramic view of the entire valley and be able to appreciate the gradient of colors that makes this park famous.
White dome
Length: 2 km (loop)
Duration: 1 h
Difficulty level: Easy
A walk through creamy-colored sandstone domes and a passage through a narrow canyon. At the beginning of the hike, you will see a ruin where the movie "The Professionals" was filmed in 1966. A magnificent trail not to be missed!
Loop road
The loop road is accessible via the Valley of Fire highway, near the west entrance. It serves several points of interest that can be seen from the road or with just a few minutes walk.
This is also where the two campgrounds are located.
Don't miss:
- Windstone Arch : a red sandstone arch located inside a small grotto less than a meter high. Very popular with photographers who line up to take pictures.
- Piano Rock : a few hundred meters after Windstone Arch, Piano Arch, visible from the road, will be on your left. There is no sign indicating this rock formation but you shouldn't miss it. It's just before the entrance to the Arch Rock Campground.
- Arch Rock : a preview of Arches National Park. If possible, visit this arch in the evening at sunset.
- Atlatl Rock : very easily accessible, this site features amazing examples of prehistoric petroglyphs.
Where to stay in the Valley of Fire park?
Living in the heart of the great outdoors is one of my good reasons to travel by motorhome in the USA.
The Valley of Fire park is the perfect place to fully enjoy the freedom this type of travel provides. Plus, the park is particularly beautiful at sunrise and sunset, so it would be a shame not to spend the night there
Night at Valley of Fire state park campground
Those who choose to embark on their road trip in the Western USA in a motorhome or equipped with a tent can stay at the park's campground, which has 72 sites with or without services.
The campground is located on Loop Road and is divided into two sections: Arch Rock campground and Atlatl campground.
The cost per night is 20$. There is an additional charge of 10$ if you use a spot with electricity.
Note that it is not possible to reserve your spot. First come, first served.
Night at the hotel
If you're unable to camp and need accommodation, the closest hotels to Valley of Fire are located in Overton:
- North Shore Inn at Lake Mead: 520 North Moapa Valley Boulevard, Overton, NV 89040
- Plaza Motel: 207 S Moapa Valley Blvd, Overton, NV 89040
Otherwise, you can very well stay in Las Vegas and visit Valley of Fire during the day. Visiting Valley of Fire: practical information
Visiting Valley of Fire: practical information
How much does it cost to get into valley of fire?
The entrance fees vary based on your vehicle registration. Nevada residents pay 10 dollars per vehicle, while out-of-state visitors are charged 15 dollars. Planning to explore by bicycle? The fee is 2 dollars per bike.
Remember to bring cash for payment, as the park only accepts exact change at the self-pay stations. Your America the Beautiful pass pass won't work here since this is a state park.
For those wanting unlimited access throughout the year, consider purchasing an annual Nevada State Parks pass. This costs 100 dollars for standard entry privileges, or 250 dollars if you want to include camping benefits.
Can you just drive through valley of fire?
Exploring Valley of Fire by car offers a spectacular way to experience the park's stunning landscapes. The scenic drive takes about 2-3 hours to complete if you make stops at key viewpoints.
Many visitors pull over at Rainbow Vista and Mouse's Tank Road for breathtaking photo opportunities. The roads are well-maintained and suitable for all vehicle types, winding through remarkable red rock formations and desert vistas.
Keep your eyes peeled for bighorn sheep, especially during early morning or late afternoon hours. They frequently cross the roads near the limestone mountains.
For the best driving experience, start your journey at sunrise when the rocks glow with intense colors and the temperatures remain comfortable. Remember to pack snacks and water since there are no food services within the park.
How far is valley of fire from Las Vegas?
The magnificent red rock formations of Valley of Fire lie 54 miles northeast of the Las Vegas Strip. Most visitors reach the park in 50-60 minutes by car, making it perfect for a day adventure away from the city's bright lights.
Travelers departing from Harry Reid International Airport should plan for a slightly longer journey of 62 miles. Those staying near Lake Mead will find themselves just 20 minutes from the park's eastern entrance.
The park's convenient location allows flexible scheduling - morning visitors can witness the stunning sunrise over the Mojave Desert, while afternoon explorers still have plenty of time to return for evening activities in Las Vegas.
Wheather
The climate in the Valley of Fire is arid, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C in summer. Sometimes it’s so hot that it’s too dangerous to hike.
However, the nights are cool. From October to May, temperatures are more moderate.
No matter the time of year, never set out without water and sun protection.
Getting to Valley of Fire
The park is traversed by the Valley of Fire highway and has an east entrance and a west entrance.
If you're arriving from Las Vegas:
Drive north on Interstate 15. After about 30 minutes, take exit 75 on your right. Continue for about 20 minutes before reaching the west entrance station of the park.
If you're arriving from the north, like from Zion park for example:
Join Interstate 15 heading south. Take exit 93 for route 169 towards Logandal/Overton and drive for about 25 minutes. Then turn right to join the Valley of Fire road, which will lead you to the east entrance of the park.
I hope this Valley of Fire guide will be useful for planning your next adventure. This park should definitely be part of your two-week tour to discover the American West.
If you have any questions or additional information to enhance the guide, feel free to express yourself in the comments section below.
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