On our way to Utah from Las Vegas, we took a pit stop and spent the afternoon at Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada. The drive is a little over an hour, but worth it. The park is 40,000 acres of bright red Aztec sandstone that has ancient, petrified trees and petroglyphs that date back over 2,00 years.
The park has an entrance fee of $10 and lasts for the day and the hours are from sunrise to sunset. Camping is allowed and is on a first come, first served basis. For more general information about the park, click here. The park has multiple restrooms as well as water bottle fill up stations. If you’re not used to the dry heat like us, make yourself drink water every few minutes to stay hydrated. It is recommended to go early as there are many signs cautioning the heat. It is also dog friendly, but they must be kept on a leash and follow leave no trace. After a stop at the visitors center, we were ready to hit the trails.
Fire Wave Trail
The first trail we hiked was Fire Wave Trail. It’s a pretty easy, 1.5 mile hike that would be good for all hiking skill levels. I would recommend going early as there is no shade throughout the trail. The beginning of the hike is very sandy so be prepared for that. I would not recommend wearing sandals like we saw multiple people do. The sandstorm formation at the end resembles the ocean with different shades of red, white and pink.
White Domes Loop
This is another 1 mile loop trail that comes with beautiful views. Thankfully, when we were on the Rainbow Vista Trail, we met a group that gave us the tip to start on the left side, not the right. They were right. If you start on the right side, you will finish with a steep incline. This hike is still considered easy, but for us, it was a bit more challenging than the Rainbow Vista Trail.
Mouse’s Tank Trail
This is the coolest trail we spent time on. It’s a 0.8 mile trail where you walk through a canyon filled with prehistoric petroglyphs. You aren’t on the trail long before you come up on these. Refrain from touching these as these are easily damaged and cannot be repaired or replaced.
Photo Opportunity
Mouse’s Tank Road is one of the top photo spots in the Valley of Fire State Park. The view of this road has gone viral around the world. On your way back from White Domes Loop towards the Visitor’s Center, you’ll see these amazing views. I recommend stopping on the side of the road where you can climb some of the rocks for the best views though.
Remember, you’re in the desert and there are rattlesnakes so make sure you’re noisy and watch where you step. Since we visited during COVID-19, getting photos was no problem, but I’m sure any other time, you’d want to visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon to capture those photos without cars.
Overall, I’d definitely recommend visiting Valley of Fire State Park if you’re visiting Vegas. It’s a quick drive for a day of adventure in the desert. The hikes are easy but the views are gorgeous. Let me know if these tips helped when you head to Valley of Fire State Park!
