A Valley of Fire: A Flaming Gem in the Mojave Desert

Take Interstate 15 northeast of Las Vegas and you will see more of that familiar landscape colored in shades of brown: sandy brown, tan, fawn, saddle brown… all interspersed with some shrubs and grasses native to the Mojave Desert in US’s Southwest. Take exit 75 and drive east, and you’ll find yourself driving down into a rocky basin, and then you’ll see a splash of red. Drive further into the red rocks, and you’ll be inside a bright-red-rock-landscape rightly called Valley of Fire State Park.

This flaming red area in the Mojave Desert is the result of geologic forces that shaped this piece of land for millions of years: faulting, uplifts, and of course, wind and water erosion. With its myriad colors, shades, textures, and different kinds of outcrops, Valley of Fire is an absolute feast for the eyes.

Valley of Fire State Park

Valley of Fire is Nevada’s first state park. It seems to have been opened in 1934, and got its status, the following year.

This park, which is only around an hour’s drive from Vegas, protects red Aztec sandstone arches, lithic domes, other intriguing formations, collages of different types of rocks and also petroglyphs traced back to the Ancestral Puebloans who occupied the area over 2500 years ago.

Top things to see and do in this State Park

• Enjoy the Valley of Fire Scenic Byway
• Do the Mouse’s Tank Road Drive
• Take in the views of Rainbow Vista
• Go see the Fire Wave
• Hike the White Domes Loop
• Take pictures with these landmarks: Balancing Rock, The Beehives, Arch Rock, Elephant Rock, Seven Sisters
• Revisit history by visiting the petroglyphs on Atlatl Rock

Things to know before you go:

1. The main road through the park is the Valley of Fire Highway that runs east-west through the park. (If you’re visiting from the Las Vegas area, you will be taking the West Entrance to this park.
2. A drive through the park is undoubtedly a scenic drive; look out for pullouts to stop at and take in the red rock views.
3. Make sure to carry water and food if you’re planning on spending the day there. However, you might be able to find some snacks at the visitor center (which may be closed on state holidays).
4. Note: A good part of Valley of Fire State Park will be closed during the summer. As such, make sure to check whether the park is open when you’re planning to visit the area.
5. There are restrooms, picnic areas and a couple of campsites within the park.

Other places you might want to check out when you trip to this area
Las Vegas
Red Rock Canyon
Lake Mead
Hoover Dam

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My Corner of the World