It’s close to Vegas where many of them fly into.ĭon’t get me wrong, Valley of Fire is fantastic. Maybe I should send visitors to the Valley of Fire version. But then it does keep a lot of people out of the non-trailed protected land. OK, it was pretty but rather small compared to Utah’s Wave. Honestly, I was a little disappointed in the actual Fire Wave, but the entire landscape is amazing and once again I felt the pull to just wander off into it and not get lost. The stripes of colors and eroded shapes called to go off trail and get closer. Footprints in sand were obvious but I happily didn’t notice smashed walked on plants. Sparsely scattered trail markers try to guide hikers but people just went every which way. The trail passed a huge monolith of red rock that bounced our voices so we called it Echo Rock. Water rounded rocks cemented together in dark masses of reds, greens and charcoal colors laid down on top of the sandstone by some ancient river later broken down to lay along the trail. Then we came across composite rock which seemed really out of place among all the sediments. I excitedly looked at the green shale, not the most prevalent rock in the park. Too often people get focused on a destination and miss the journey. Then once across the road paused to allow a huge group of tripod toting photographers to pass and almost run to the “feature” not noticing the beauty along the way. Much like White Domes we experienced a crowded parking area at the trailhead. Plus it’s dog friendly on leash so we met several dogs and their people. But it doesn’t require a permit and the easy 1.5 miles round trip across sand and slick rock does offer some interesting rock and marvelous views. Grand Staircase Escalante National MonumentĬompared to Utah’s Wave the Fire Wave at Valley of Fire is puny.Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument.With elevations ranging from 1,500 feet to 3,000 feet, here are some popular Valley of Fire hikes that are easily accessible to visitors who want to explore Valley of Fire from Las Vegas as a day trip, or for those who are camping in the park. The stunning landscape glows red for miles into the horizon and is particularly beautiful at sunset. Located in the Mojave Desert, Valley of Fire State Park is home to 46,000 acres of red Aztec sandstone, formed by shifting sand dunes 150 million years ago. Visit the Fire Wave, which is probably one of the most gorgeous spots in the Valley of Fire with white and red zebra stripes that create incredible photo opportunities.Check out Arch Rock, which can be seen from the Scenic Loop near Atlatl Rock.Don’t miss out on Elephant Rock, located next to the east entrance (It resembles an elephant.Those hoping to discover more about the valley’s history will find a great visitor center that features comprehensive interpretive displays and exhibits with information on local ecology, geology, and prehistory. In the 1920s, “Valley of Fire” was named by a AAA official who was traveling the road at sunset and reportedly explained that the entire region looked like it was on fire. How Valley of Fire Got Its Nameīefore Valley of Fire became a designated Nevada State Park, a road was built through the valley as part of the Arrowhead Trail to connect Salt Lake City and Los Angeles. The park opened in 1934 and was officially designated Valley of Fire State Park in 1935, becoming Nevada’s first state park. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built the park from 1933 through the early 1940s, making campgrounds, stone cabins, trails, and roads. In 1931, a transfer of 8,760 acres of federal land to the state of Nevada began the creation of Valley of Fire State Park. Thomas, which eventually wound up flooded by the waters of Lake Mead during construction of the Hoover Dam in the early 1930s. By the mid-1860s, Mormon missionaries settled St. Valley of Fire State Park HistoryĪncient petroglyphs were carved into red sandstone rock formations at Valley of Fire State Park-a remnant from the Ancestral Puebloans living in and around the modern-day Moapa Valley area 2,500 years ago. Of all the state and national parks in Nevada, Valley of Fire remains a favorite for visitors and locals alike, thanks to the fiery sandstone formations swirling through the valley, ancient petroglyphs carved into its stones, stunning red sandstone rock formations, ancient petroglyphs, and quick access from the Las Vegas Valley. The Best of Valley of Fire – Sunrise to Sunset
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