Valley of Fire Nevada Fire Wave White Domes and Petroglyphs

Why visit Valley of Fire

The red rock here is Aztec Sandstone, formed from shifting sand dunes around 150 million years ago and later uplifted, faulted and eroded. The result is an unusually dense collection of colorful formations packed into a basin only a few miles across, so you can see a great deal without long drives or strenuous hikes.

The park also tells a human story. Ancestral Puebloan farmers from the nearby Moapa Valley visited the area to hunt, gather food and possibly hold ceremonies, leaving petroglyphs on the dark varnished rock faces.

Hollywood noticed too. Parts of Viva Las Vegas, Total Recall and Star Trek Generations were filmed here, and car commercials regularly use the winding road through the red rocks.

Along Valley of Fire Road: entrances, arches and rock art

Valley of Fire Road crosses the park from west to east for about ten and a half miles and is a designated Nevada Scenic Byway.

The Beehives

Just inside the west entrance, these rounded sandstone mounds show fine, curving layers that record the ancient dunes they once were. A short walk takes you around and between them, and there are shaded picnic areas nearby.

Atlatl Rock

A metal staircase climbs the side of a large rock to a panel of petroglyphs high on the cliff face, including a figure of an atlatl, a spear-throwing tool that came before the bow and arrow.

Arch Rock and the Seven Sisters

A short scenic loop near the Atlatl Rock area leads to Arch Rock, a small, delicate natural arch beside the road.

Elephant Rock

Near the east entrance, a short trail from the roadside parking area leads to the park's most famous single formation, an arch that looks remarkably like an elephant lowering its trunk to the ground. Allow twenty to thirty minutes.

The White Domes Road: canyons, viewpoints and the Fire Wave

From the visitor center, a scenic road runs north into the heart of the park. This is where you will find the most dramatic colors and the most popular short hikes, so start here early in the day.

Mouse's Tank and Petroglyph Canyon

A sandy, mostly level trail of roughly three quarters of a mile round trip leads through Petroglyph Canyon, where the walls carry some of the most accessible rock art in the park.

Rainbow Vista

A short trail from a roadside parking area leads to a viewpoint over a sweeping valley of multicolored sandstone, with bands of red, orange, lavender and cream. The trail continues toward Fire Canyon for those who want a longer walk.

Fire Canyon and Silica Dome

A spur road leads to an overlook above Fire Canyon, whose walls are some of the deepest red in the park, set against the pale, almost white Silica Dome.

The Fire Wave

The park's signature formation is a sweeping bowl of sandstone banded in red and white, like a frozen wave.

White Domes and Pastel Canyon

At the end of the scenic road, the White Domes loop is roughly a mile long and packs in a lot: cream and red sandstone domes, a short slot canyon and the crumbling remains of a set built for the 1966 film The Professionals.

Food and local flavors

There are no restaurants inside Valley of Fire, so plan your meals carefully.

The closest places to eat are in Overton and Logandale in the Moapa Valley, a farming community along the Muddy River where small-town diners serve burgers, Mexican dishes and breakfast plates.

Where to stay

For the best light and the quietest hours, stay inside the park. The Atlatl Rock and Arch Rock campgrounds sit among the red rocks, and staying overnight lets you watch sunrise without a long drive and enjoy dark night skies.

Overton and Logandale are the closest towns, with a handful of motels and rentals and an easy drive to the east entrance. They suit travelers who want a quiet, rural base and an early start.

Best time to visit

Late autumn, winter and spring are the ideal seasons. Winter days are generally mild, often in the fifties to seventies Fahrenheit, though nights can drop toward freezing, and occasional Pacific storms bring rain.

Summer is dangerous for hiking. Daily highs commonly exceed one hundred degrees and can reach far higher, and the sandstone radiates heat.

Getting there and getting around

The nearest major airport is Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. From the city, drive north on Interstate 15 and take the Valley of Fire Highway exit to the west entrance; the drive takes about an hour.

There is no public transportation into the park, so you need a car or an organized tour. Pay the entrance fee per vehicle at the entrance station, and check the official website for current hours and fees.

A suggested itinerary

First day

Leave Las Vegas before sunrise and enter from the west. Walk around the Beehives in the soft morning light, then climb to Atlatl Rock and drive the Arch Rock loop.

Second day

If you camp in the park or stay in Overton, catch sunrise at Elephant Rock and the historic cabins, then drive Northshore Road into Lake Mead National Recreation Area for views of the lake and desert mountains. In Overton, visit the Lost City Museum, which interprets the Ancestral Puebloan settlements of the Moapa Valley, before returning to the park for a slow final walk at golden hour.

Practical tips

• Carry at least a gallon of water per person per day, even for short walks, and turn back if you feel dizzy or stop sweating.
• Check the Nevada State Parks website for trail closures, especially from late spring through early autumn.
• Wear sturdy shoes with grip; sand and slickrock are slippery, and some trails have uneven steps.
• Do not touch petroglyphs or climb on fragile formations, and never carve or chalk the rock.
• Keep to marked trails to protect desert crusts and plants, and watch for bighorn sheep from a distance.
• Pets are allowed on a leash, but hot rock burns paws quickly, so avoid midday walks with dogs.

Find local businesses in Overton on WiserMap

Planning a trip to Valley of Fire?

Explore local businesses