Valley of Fire State Park

Nevada State Park The State'S Oldest, Dedicated 1935; National Natural Landmark · Overton, Nevada

Valley of Fire State Park is Nevada's oldest state park, dedicated in 1935, and one of the most photographed desert landscapes in the American Southwest. It lies in the Mojave Desert about an hour north-east of Las Vegas, between Interstate 15 and the Overton Arm of Lake Mead. The name comes from its red Aztec sandstone, formed from ancient sand dunes, which glows orange and deep red in low sun and is swirled with bands of cream, pink, lavender and gold. A paved road crosses the park past rock formations such as Elephant Rock, the Beehives and Arch Rock, and a spur runs north past Rainbow Vista to the White Domes. Short trails lead to the striped slickrock of the Fire Wave, the slot canyon on the White Domes loop and Mouse's Tank, a sandy canyon lined with petroglyphs carved over centuries. There are two campgrounds and a visitor centre, but no fuel, food or lodging inside the park, and the heat on the rock is dangerous enough that popular trails have been closed in the hottest months.

29450 Valley of Fire Highway, Overton, Nevada, 89040, United States

NO OPENING TIME HERE WAS CHECKED. The typical pattern: the park is open for day use every day from sunrise to sunset, with only registered campers allowed to stay after dark; the visitor centre keeps shorter hours, roughly 9 am to 4 pm, and may close on some holidays. In recent summers several trails, including the Fire Wave and White Domes, have been closed roughly June to September. The traps that ruin a day are driving out in summer to a closed trail, arriving at midday into the worst heat and flattest light, finding the Fire Wave and White Domes car parks full on a weekend morning, entering with a low tank and no food, and being caught on the slickrock after sunset. Confirm current times before relying on them.

Valley of Fire State Park on Spottos · Explore more places on Spottos