Valley of Fire is a state park that has of course red rocks. Actually has multi colored rocks. This area also has many rock formations caused by water erosion and wind. The area also has well preserved petrocliffs. It has drawings on rocks that date back to early cave man days. It was amazing to see such simple drawings preserved for modern man to see.

There’s two kinds of metaphorical ‘fire’ in this Valley—geological and meteorological. Although it could be either, I’m betting the name stems from the park’s red, red rock. But as my local friend said, after 10 days in this region, you’ve seen plenty of places at least as impressive than this landscape. Although the red sandstone is a match for either the Vermillion Cliffs or Monument Valley, for the most part, its structure wasn’t as interesting to me, appearing more beaten down, worn, and irregular than many others we’d seen.



We didn’t come for the rocks, though; rather, for what was on them. Thanks to two recommendations, we’d added Valley of Fire to our last full day’s itinerary on the Plateau, to see the petroglyphs on the trail to Mouse’s Tank. After a lengthier-than-necessary approach from I-15, we came in the east entrance. I got out to determine how to handle the honor-system admission. About six other cars were there.



The heat was intense. It was 3pm on a mid-June afternoon, and it felt like a furnace. Dry heat, nothin’. We slipped $6 into the box, and headed to the Visitor Center. Thankfully, the AC in this dated building was very effective. Inside, a goodly number of older (1980’s?) exhibits described wildlife, the area’s history and native peoples, and the park’s checkered past. Valley of Fire was Nevada’s first state park—but only because eager boosters pushed up a 1935 dedication ceremony scheduled to open the state’s first four parks the next day. 10 years later, it was dissembled and sold piecemeal during a state budget crisis (the buyers tried to turn around and trade with the state for Las Vegas real estate).



A few years later, Nevada came to its senses, reestablishing the park and extending its boundaries several times. Several interesting features are preserved here: Elephant Rock, the Seven Sisters, and the Beehives (red rock formations that look just like their names); all right off NV 169. You’ll find petroglyphs at Atlatl Rock and Mouse’s Tank.

This place is best as a warm-up when heading east, and not a finale on your way out. We hustled by it on our first day, anxious to reach Zion. That wasn’t a mistake, and neither was visiting 10 days later (the mistake was not coming in the morning). If you have time, it’s worth stopping, but not worth putting at the center of your plans. However, if, like my daughter, you love petroglyphs—or want a good day trip from Vegas—just come.

Directions:
The park lies between I-15 and Lake Mead, an hour NW of Vegas. Take Exit 75 off I-15; it heads southeast into the park. Unless you want a longer, less direct, less scenic route, don’t head south from Exit 93, even if approaching from the north. We did that: it just slowed us down (and made us worry that we were completely lost after Overton).

The sun was causing the road to shimmer the day we visited Valley of Fire. It was easy to see how early settlers had mistaken the bright red rocks as firey pillars. The park was a scenic one—hour drive from the Vegas strip and light on the wallet as well. No matter the size or amount of people, it is just $5 per vehicle. A free park map is given to you upon arrival although the roads are well marked and just as easy to follow without it.

The Beehives were our first stop. They reminded me more of the hair-do my Great Aunt Fran wore instead of an insect dwelling, but they were certainly unique. A good piece of advice is to not wear sandals or flip-flops. You do a good amount of walking in the sand and it is hot. Even though the bottoms of your feet are covered, the sand that flips up on top of your feet will hurt like crazy. I wore sneakers and was glad I did after witnessing a couple of screaming flip-flop wearers. Arch rock was a great photo sight although it was strange to take in. To think that due to the constant erosion from wind and rain the piece of artistic nature I am now witnessing will no longer exist. I somehow felt very privileged to be there at that moment to see it. We continued our tour with a hike to the petrified logs and Mouse’s tank. Mouse’s tank is a natural rain- water reservoir named after an Indian who used it as his hiding place. The hike to Mouse’s tank is especially interesting, as the trail has some great prehistoric petroglyphs. It’s so amazing to look at them wondering their age and interpreting their meanings.

It was somewhere around the White Domes where we lost our momentum. We wanted to hike the trail to the old movie set, but the heat and our bodies just wouldn’t allow it. We had long since drained our bottles of water and had now wished we had brought more than just one a piece. A la Clark Griswold, we jumped out of the security of the air-conditioned car, stood a moment, snapped a photo, and jumped back into the blizzard wonderland again. This is what we did for the rest of the scenic spots, except for the cabins. They seemed really interesting so we got out and walked around. Built in the 1930s, they were used as shelters for passing backpackers. Although they are not used any more, I could still see a die-hard backpacker choosing these rustic stone dwellings over the mega resorts of the strip.

Even if you are only in Vegas a few days, Valley of Fire is worth a stop. The formations are unique unto themselves, and may not even exist sometime in the future.

Just beware that the heat will zap your energy fast so decide which sites are really worth the hike.

The Valley of Fire State Park is located only six miles from Lake Mead and 55 miles northeast of Las Vegas via Interstate 15 and on exit 75. Valley of Fire is Nevada's oldest and largest state park, dedicated 1935. The valley derives its name from the red sandstone formations and the stark beauty of the Mojave Desert. Ancient trees and early man are represented throughout the park by areas of petrified wood and 3,000 year-old Indian petroglyph. Popular activities include camping, hiking, picnicking and photography. The park offers a full-scale visitor center with extensive interpretive displays. Several group use areas are also available. The park is open all year.

 

There are no concessions within the park, so make sure you gas up and bring plenty of water during the summer months (even if you don’t plan on hiking).

If you have to choose one attraction outside of Las Vegas because of time limitations, select the Valley of Fire State Park. It is a magnificent natural wonder. It is about 6 miles from Lake Mead and about 1 hour from Vegas via Interstate 15 and off exit 75.

This park is Nevada's oldest and largest one. It received its name from the red sandstone formations and the beauty of the Mojave Desert. According to history, the red sandstone formations were formed by the great shifting sand dunes around the time of the age of dinosaurs 150 million years ago. And it was this shifting and huge erosion that made this current landscape.

Here, you can hike/walk and see areas of ancient trees (petrified ones) and petroglyphs done by early man. In addition, you can camp and/or take pictures and maybe view the animals (coyote, kit fox, jackrabbit, etc.) and reptiles like snakes. We saw a variety of rock formations, such as the beehives. And we viewed the petroglyphs. I also got a chance to see a large lizard sunning himself on a rock formation. In addition, the park has a full-scale visitor center and offers several group areas. Last, Valley of Fire is open year-round. Because of all the aforementioned, I highly recommend this attraction for everyone, especially families.