LOCATION – WHERE IS VALLEY OF FIRE STATE PARK
Hundreds of people land every day in Nevada to visit Las Vegas, however our recommendation is that you rent a car and drive one hour away from the strip! 50 miles northeast of Sin City is a beautiful desert landscape with unique red sandstone formations, pink canyons, and zebra like rocks. Okay, maybe not Zebra-like, but interchanging streaks of beige, red and orange colored sandstone! The bright lights of Las Vegas are a sight to see, but the world-renowned Valley of Fire State Park has a glow of its own; and it is magnificent!
ENTRANCE FEE
The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset and the entrance fee is $10 per car for the day. Most of the time no one is staffed at the front gate so make sure you have the exact amount in cash because you have to “self-pay” with envelopes.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit Valley of Fire is during the spring and fall months when the temperatures are mild. The summer months get extremely hot with temperatures rising to 40C / 100F and during the winter months
CAMPING
If you would like to camp, the fee is $20 and this includes the $10 entrance fee. The campsites cannot be reserved in advance, therefore it’s first come first serve. Make sure you drive into the campground and get the camping self-pay envelopes! Also, we highly recommend reserving your campsite as soon as possible so you can go exploring without worrying about where you’re sleeping.
There are a total of 3 campgrounds, picnic tables, grills, and bathrooms throughout the park.
VISITOR CENTER
Valley of Fire does have a visitor center that is open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm with bathrooms, water fountains, food, and information about the park.
CELL RECEPTION
Cell reception is very scarce throughout the park and especially near the campsites. Dogs are allowed in the park however they do need to be on their leash at all times.
WHAT TO BRING
Valley of Fire is a desert, so you will need a lot of water and sun gear! Wear comfortable shoes to facilitate exploring the trails and don’t forget sunscreen!
THE HIGHLIGHTS – IF YOU ONLY HAVE A FEW HOURS IN THE PARK
PINK CANYON OR PASTEL CANYON
On the right of mile marker 5, and unmarked along the road, (there’s a spot for two cars to pull off) is a small slot canyon with pink rocks encompassing the passageway. It isn’t an overly long venture, as it can be walked through in a few short minutes, but the colors on display along the route are truly stunning!
MOUSE’S TANK ROAD
Every road through Valley of Fire State Park is scenic. However, the biggest “woah” would come from the famous Mouse’s Tank Road, also known as White Domes Road. This road is only 9.2 kilometers (5.7 miles) long but is one of the most stunning drives in the park. The best time to explore and photograph Mouse’s Tank Road is during sunrise or sunset. Throughout the day there are way too many cars driving through from both directions and a lot people trying to take pictures in the middle of the road.
We experienced both sunrise and sunset and it was truly magnificent! We were completely alone, running up and down the road, snapping pictures and enjoying the changing colors against the rock formations.
Drones are NOT PERMITTED in the park but that shouldn’t stop you from climbing the rocks to get a view of the road from up above.
Elephant Rock; Elephant Rock Trail is a short loop trail near the East Entrance. This arch rock formation looks just like an elephant if you look at it from the right angle. You can easily climb to a vantage point above the rock to take the best pictures.
The Fire Wave; This 2.4-kilometre (1.5 mile) round trip takes you to one of the most gorgeous spots in the park. The Fire Wave is a gorgeous sea of white and red zebra print sandstone and makes for some excellent captures.
Arch Rock: Arch Rock is a quick stop right off the side of the road. From the west entrance, go east for 2.9-kilometeres (1.8 miles) and turn left on the Scenic Loop Road. This road also take you to the campgrounds. (The same road that takes you to the campgrounds and Atlatl Rock) The arch is small and is perched on top of a short rounded rock fin, be considerate and don’t climb on the rock to get to arch, you can see it perfectly from the road.