Cradled in the mesmerizing Mojave Desert, Valley of Fire is Nevada’s first and therefore oldest state park. The park covers a vast swath of land encompassing 36,000 acres of Aztec Sandstone formations and remnants of the native peoples that once inhabited the area, whose presence is marked throughout the park by petroglyphs etched into the mountainsides and salvaged artifacts.
General Information
Valley of Fire State Park
29450 Valley of Fire Road
Overton, Nevada 89040
Open from dusk to dawn
Phone: 702-397-2088
Directions from Vegas: Take the I-15 North approximately 35-40 miles. Take Exit 75 and head East toward Valley of Fire/Lake Mead. Drive approximately 17 miles on Valley of Fire to the West Entrance Station.
Valley of Fire Fees:
Visitor Information: The visitor center provides exhibits on the geology, ecology, prehistory, and history of the park and the nearby region. It is strongly recommended that each visitor make this an early stop after entering the park. Postcards, books, and souvenirs are on sale for your convenience. The park is open daily, except for Christmas, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Camping: Additional fees are charged for the use of camping areas and is payable at the campgrounds. All campsites are first-come, first-serve. There are two campgrounds with a combined total of 72 units. Campsites are equipped with shaded tables, grills, water, and restrooms. A dump station and showers are available.
RV Camping: RV sites with power and water hookups are now available. A $10 surcharge is added to the regular camping fee for the use of these sites.
Picnicking: Shaded areas with restrooms are located at Atlatl Rock, Seven Sisters, the Cabins, near Mouse’s Tank trailhead, and White Domes.
Group Area: There are three group areas, each accommodating up to 45 people, though parking is limited. They are available for overnight camping and picnicking by reservation only. For information call Valley of Fire State Park at 702-397-2088. Advance reservations are required.
Know Before You Go
Hiking Trails
Mouse’s Tank – 0.75 miles RT – The Mouse’s Tank is a hike that meanders through short box canyon called Petroglyph Canyon. There are petroglyphs chipped into the desert varnish coating the canyon walls left by the native Paiute tribes that once inhabited the area. The trail leads you to a natural pothole which acts as a reservoir. Rainwater collects here and may sometimes remain for months. This is a brief hike suitable for all ages.
Rainbow Vista – 1 mile RT – One of the best ways to get familiarized with the hiking and scenery in Valley of Fire is by exploring the Rainbow Vista Trail. While the trail is short, flat and covers easy but sandy terrain, it does not provide shade and protection from the blistering heat the Mojave Desert is notorious for. Follow the trail markers first to the right to make your way to an overlook of Fire Canyon, the so-called "Rainbow Vista." From your perch above the canyon, you'll be awestruck by the multi-colored rock and tempted to explore deeper into the canyon. Walk back the way you came and you will run into another trail marker leading to a second overlook off of the main route. From there you'll encounter rounded mounds of slickrock just beckoning you forth to climb it.
Fire Wave – 1.25 miles RT – Do it for the 'Gram. Surrounded by yellow, orange, pink, and red geological formations, the Fire Wave folds in on itself in delectable, taffy-like curves. You'll easily walk away from this trail with over two dozen photos on your phone or camera to show off to your followers on Instagram. Pro tip: An hour before sunset and an hour after sunrise are particularly beautiful times to visit due to the orientation of the surrounding hills that light the Fire Wave ablaze in a splendor of sunlight.
The first part of the trail is in deep sand, and it meanders between and around huge red stone bluffs. The way in continues mostly downhill until the base of the Fire Wave rock structure is reached. Then it is a gradual uphill grade across colorfully-striped sandstone slopes until you crest the saddle and the Wave reveals itself to you. This trail also provides little to no shade so it's best to enjoy it in the early morning or late afternoon hours if you insist on visiting during the summer months.
White Domes – 1.25 miles RT – Located at the northern end of the park, White Domes trail features white and yellow slickrock gleaming brilliantly in the crisp, desert sun, serving as an alluring destination for hikers, photographers, and explorers alike. The trail is a 1-mile loop that passes by an old movie set, continues through a slot canyon, and finishes across undulating rock and sand. You get a great taste of all the natural wonders Valley of Fire has to offer in such a short hike, so it draws in large crowds.
Elephant Rock – 0.25 miles RT – The short hike to Elephant Rock will take most people only 5-10 minutes to complete. It's right next to the east entrance of the park so don't forget to stop and marvel at this natural beauty before you go.
Other Landmarks
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General Information
Valley of Fire State Park
29450 Valley of Fire Road
Overton, Nevada 89040
Open from dusk to dawn
Phone: 702-397-2088
Directions from Vegas: Take the I-15 North approximately 35-40 miles. Take Exit 75 and head East toward Valley of Fire/Lake Mead. Drive approximately 17 miles on Valley of Fire to the West Entrance Station.
Valley of Fire Fees:
- Entrance $10/vehicle ($8/vehicle Nevada resident) at fee station or self-pay booth
- Camping $20/night plus $10/night for utility hook-ups ($2/night discount Nevada resident)
- Annual Entrance Permit $75
- Group Use Area Reservation $25 plus entrance fee per vehicle
- Group Camping Reservation $25 plus camping fee per vehicle
Visitor Information: The visitor center provides exhibits on the geology, ecology, prehistory, and history of the park and the nearby region. It is strongly recommended that each visitor make this an early stop after entering the park. Postcards, books, and souvenirs are on sale for your convenience. The park is open daily, except for Christmas, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Camping: Additional fees are charged for the use of camping areas and is payable at the campgrounds. All campsites are first-come, first-serve. There are two campgrounds with a combined total of 72 units. Campsites are equipped with shaded tables, grills, water, and restrooms. A dump station and showers are available.
RV Camping: RV sites with power and water hookups are now available. A $10 surcharge is added to the regular camping fee for the use of these sites.
Picnicking: Shaded areas with restrooms are located at Atlatl Rock, Seven Sisters, the Cabins, near Mouse’s Tank trailhead, and White Domes.
Group Area: There are three group areas, each accommodating up to 45 people, though parking is limited. They are available for overnight camping and picnicking by reservation only. For information call Valley of Fire State Park at 702-397-2088. Advance reservations are required.
Know Before You Go
- Valley of Fire is located in the heart of the Mojave Desert. If you plan on going during the summer months, please arrive prepared with ample sunshade, sunscreen, and at least three liters of water. Average daytime temperatures in July skyrocket to 106°F. Ideal times to visit are during the considerably cooler winter months, early spring, or late fall.
- The park is home to an array of different wildlife, including many species of lizards, snakes, big horned sheep, coyote, spotted skunk, kit fox and black tailed jackrabbit. Desert tortoise are native to the park – they are a very rare species and protected by state law. While you're driving through the park, always be aware of your surroundings. If you encounter a critter on the trail, respect their space and move along.
- Most hiking trails in Valley of Fire are comprised of either loose shale or sand. Unfortunately, regular trainers won't cut it for those kind of trail conditions. We'd strongly recommend lacing up some old fashioned hiking boots to avoid sand accumulation and afford yourself plenty of grip for those unstable slopes.
- If you plan on camping in the park, know the two campgrounds are first come first serve. Spring and fall are very popular times to camp out in the desert. Plan to arrive 8 o'clock in the morning or earlier (per recommendation of a park ranger) on the day of your arrival to increase your chances of securing a site. Atlatl campground attracts majority RV campers because of the abundance of electric hookups, while Arch Rock, the more primitive and secluded of the two campgrounds, is the go-to for tent campers.
Hiking Trails
Mouse’s Tank – 0.75 miles RT – The Mouse’s Tank is a hike that meanders through short box canyon called Petroglyph Canyon. There are petroglyphs chipped into the desert varnish coating the canyon walls left by the native Paiute tribes that once inhabited the area. The trail leads you to a natural pothole which acts as a reservoir. Rainwater collects here and may sometimes remain for months. This is a brief hike suitable for all ages.
Rainbow Vista – 1 mile RT – One of the best ways to get familiarized with the hiking and scenery in Valley of Fire is by exploring the Rainbow Vista Trail. While the trail is short, flat and covers easy but sandy terrain, it does not provide shade and protection from the blistering heat the Mojave Desert is notorious for. Follow the trail markers first to the right to make your way to an overlook of Fire Canyon, the so-called "Rainbow Vista." From your perch above the canyon, you'll be awestruck by the multi-colored rock and tempted to explore deeper into the canyon. Walk back the way you came and you will run into another trail marker leading to a second overlook off of the main route. From there you'll encounter rounded mounds of slickrock just beckoning you forth to climb it.
Fire Wave – 1.25 miles RT – Do it for the 'Gram. Surrounded by yellow, orange, pink, and red geological formations, the Fire Wave folds in on itself in delectable, taffy-like curves. You'll easily walk away from this trail with over two dozen photos on your phone or camera to show off to your followers on Instagram. Pro tip: An hour before sunset and an hour after sunrise are particularly beautiful times to visit due to the orientation of the surrounding hills that light the Fire Wave ablaze in a splendor of sunlight.
The first part of the trail is in deep sand, and it meanders between and around huge red stone bluffs. The way in continues mostly downhill until the base of the Fire Wave rock structure is reached. Then it is a gradual uphill grade across colorfully-striped sandstone slopes until you crest the saddle and the Wave reveals itself to you. This trail also provides little to no shade so it's best to enjoy it in the early morning or late afternoon hours if you insist on visiting during the summer months.
White Domes – 1.25 miles RT – Located at the northern end of the park, White Domes trail features white and yellow slickrock gleaming brilliantly in the crisp, desert sun, serving as an alluring destination for hikers, photographers, and explorers alike. The trail is a 1-mile loop that passes by an old movie set, continues through a slot canyon, and finishes across undulating rock and sand. You get a great taste of all the natural wonders Valley of Fire has to offer in such a short hike, so it draws in large crowds.
Elephant Rock – 0.25 miles RT – The short hike to Elephant Rock will take most people only 5-10 minutes to complete. It's right next to the east entrance of the park so don't forget to stop and marvel at this natural beauty before you go.
Other Landmarks
- Arch Rock - Extraordinary rock formation
- Atlatl Rock – Petroglyph viewing
- Beehives – Rock formations shaped like round hives with grooved lines
- Seven Sisters – A group of seven tall, red sandstone formations
- Petrified Logs – Logs from pine trees that existed here before the time of the dinosaurs
Join the conversation and our community on Instagram
Your story is wild and it deserves to be told. Drop Us A Line and share with us why you Go Galavanting.