Whether you’re headed to Utah and stopping through Nevada, or looking for a day trip activity from Las Vegas; the Valley of Fire State park is a must-visit on any USA cross-country road trip.
While you could easily spend a full day here, there’s still a lot to do in a few hours! We’re sharing our guide for how to spend a half day in the Valley of Fire State Park. Think of it as the quick guide for what you absolutely have to see.
About the Valley of Fire State Park
It is known as the largest and oldest Nevada state park. Created 150 million years ago during the Jurassic Era, Valley of Fire is named after the red sandstone formations. Visitors like to check out the 40,000 acres of red Aztec sandstone, and most importantly the petroglyphs that are over 2,000 years old.
The Logistics you need to know before you visit:
- Location: 1 hour from downtown Las Vegas, 5 hours from Los Angeles
- Amenities: There are a number of different campsites with tables, and BBQs. Camping is on a first come, first serve basis.
- Entrance fee: $10 per vehicle
- Visitor Center Hours: Daily 9 AM – 4:30 PM. ( park closes at sunset)
Things to do in the Valley of Fire State Park
Mouse’s Tank Road
Start with a 5.7 mile scenic ride down Mouse’s Tank road. Named after a Southern Paiute Indian from the 1890s known as “Little Mouse,” the ride is absolutely stunning.
Stop 1: The Beehives
The rock formations are named after their “beehive-like” shape. The design on the rocks is known as “geologic cross bedding.”
This one is a quick stop – park and BAM there’s beehives right in front of you.
Stop 2: The Fire Cave
We found the Fire Cave by searching it on Google Maps. It isn’t well-marked and can be hard to find. However, if you go down the unpaved scenic route, you’ll notice rocks with holes in them. Pull off to the side of the road and you’ll find various fire caves.
Pro Tip: Sit in silence when you reach the cave. It’s crazy how unbelievably quiet it is!
Stop 3: Atlatl Rock
Atlatl Rock is a must-stop for seeing the state park’s petroglyphs. Used by Native Americans for launching spears, atlatls are featured on the petroglyphs.
Note: You’ll have to walk up quite a few stairs to reach the petroglyphs, but the view from the top is also spectacular.
Stop 4: Fire Wave
Time for a hike! Fire Wave will be your main hike for the day. It’s 1.5 miles round trip. If you’re an avid hiker, this will really be more of a walk. The name derives from the striped stone that appears to look like a “fire wave.”
Pro Tip: While the hike isn’t long, it can be brutal in the middle of the day. Opt to go early in the morning or later in the afternoon. Lastly, while I would have loved to sit on that edge, walking on the waves can ruin the structure. So please admire it from afar.
Stop 5: Elephant Rock
Lastly, we have Elephant Rock. The arch is in the shape of an elephant trunk. I’ll be honest, all the photos make it look a lot cooler than it actually is. You have to hike a bit to reach it, and personally if you’re in a rush I’d say skip it.
Pro Tip: Even if you do skip Elephant Rock, stop in the parking lot to grab a photo with the Valley of Fire Sign!
Tips for Visiting Valley of Fire
- Stay nearby if you plan to arrive in the morning. It’s not required but it is about an hour from Las Vegas, and it gets hot around 8 or 9 AM.
- The Valley of Fire is less crowded at the end of the day. We arrived around 4 PM and we felt like we had the park to ourselves!
- Pick up a map if you can! There isn’t any service in the park, so a map is ideal. If you’re visiting while the booth is closed, download a map online and bring it with you.
- SKIP the Pink Canyon. I found this spot featured in other articles (you won’t find it on the map), but after a 1/2 mile hike through hot sand to visit the “pink” canyon, our group decided it that it wasn’t worth the time. It wasn’t exactly pink, and we all agreed that one of the other attractions would have been a better idea.
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