Valley of Fire State Park changed my life. Dramatic? Honestly, no. Talk about a shock after realizing that one of the most incredible state parks in the US was right under my nose during my many Vegas pool party jaunts. Turns out you don’t need to gamble in Vegas to hit the Nevada jackpot. You’ll be ready to exchange your chips for hiking boots after adventuring to the most underrated state park in America.
The best part about visiting Valley of Fire? It’s right along the road trip route to all of the major southern Utah destinations, ranging from Zion to Bryce to Kanab from Vegas. This quick detour, a mere twenty minutes off of interstate 15 will have you asking yourself why Valley of Fire isn’t getting more travel attention. Here’s what to expect when visiting Valley of Fire.
Everything You Need to Know About Valley of Fire State Park:
Know Before You Go: Camping Tips, Entrance Fees & History
Animals to Expect (Gasp)
Must-Sees in Valley of Fire
Top Hikes Around the Park
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: VALLEY OF FIRE
In just under an hour from Las Vegas, you’ll be pulling up to a park packed with red rocks jetting hundreds of feet in the air from seemingly nowhere. Here’s a quick history lesson on these rock structures. Around 150 million years ago, during the age of the dinos, huge shifting sand dunes created red sandstone formations, hence the name ‘Valley of Fire.’ Over the course of thousands of years, tons of different tribes inhabited the lands leaving behind some special relics. See: Atlatl Rock’s ancient rock art designs.
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The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset and costs $10 per vehicle to enter. I promise you you’ll never spend a better ten dollars. For those interested in staying overnight, you’ll find no shortage of camping options around Valley of Fire. There are 72 campsites to choose from ranging from primitive to RV hookup capabilities. The campsites in the park itself are first come, first serve. which is awesome. With only four inches of rainfall on average each year, the desert-scape can be scorching, reaching up to 120 degrees in the summer months. You should head there in the spring of the fall for optimal temps. Pets are also allowed as long as you keep them on the leash.
SINCE WE’RE TALKING ABOUT ANIMALS
As we drove into the park through the rockier terrain we spotted pronghorns grazing along the road. Fun fact: a pronghorn is most commonly mistaken for an antelope, but it’s actually the only surviving animal in its family. If scientists HAD to pick, apparently it most closely related to the giraffe. Who knew? (Wikipedia did.)
WATCH OUT FOR SNAKES. We didn’t see any but I saw a sign warning about them so you can never be too safe, amiriiiight?
MUST SEES IN VALLEY OF FIRE
Tight on Time? Quick Trip Guide:
Skip the Petrified Logs West
Insta Worthy Spots: Fire Wave, Rainbow Vista
Peek at Mouse’s Tank
Hike Fire Wave
For those driving from Vegas, you’ll come in from the west entrance. It was a little bit later in the day which made for incredible sunset lighting by the time we drove out but we didn’t get to see elephant rock or the historic cabins from the conservation corps days so I can’t vouch for those landmarks.
Drive by the beehives. Skip the petrified logs west. Maybe we were idiots (possible) but we struggled to truly recognize the wonder - plus there is WAY more to see up ahead.
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Mouse’s Tank is a quick and easy viewing by popping out of your car and wandering around. Interestingly, it was inhabited by a robber back in the day who was able to make do with the natural rain pools.
Rainbow Vista gives an epic viewpoint with all sorts of colored sandstone layers and depths. This is your optimal insta shot. A stone’s throw down the road is the white domes hike (which looked remarkable even from the road) but we just didn’t have time.
BEST HIKES IN VALLEY OF FIRE
While Valley of Fire doesn’t boast the longest hiking trails, the stunning scenery and off-trail wandering bring these two Valley of Fire hikes to the top of my most underrate hikes list; guaranteed igniting your adventure flame. Looking for a good sweat? Just head here in the summer and I can assure you, you’ll get what you’re looking for.
The Fire Wave Hike
Length: Under a mile
The fire wave hike in Valley of Fire is a can’t miss with absolutely stunning sandstone wave-like formations that are similar to ‘The Wave’ in Arizona without the wait. For ~fit, fab~ peeps it takes well under the hour, but it’s easily navigable and very moderate in the cooler temperatures. The views are definitely the most photographed and visited in the park. For those venturing in the summer months, the fire wave trail is completely exposed to the sun so come early to avoid the heat and the crowds.
White Domes Trail
Length: 1-mile loop
I missed out on this epic hike in Valley of Fire the first time I visited but made sure to slate time for it the next visit. I have never been so thankful. While only a mile. this trail offers the most diverse landscape in the park, ranging from slot canyons to sharp, jetting, and colorful sandstone cliffs along the way. Yes, I said slot canyons in Valley of Fire. You will be gasping around every corner of the White Domes Trail. Not to mention, you’ll find a fascinating old movie set after making the climb down the main canyon.
If you’re adding Valley of Fire to your travel bucket list, be sure to loop in Lake Mead in the warmer months for a dose of water and wonder.
