Description

The Valley of Fire is a dry, sparsely vegetated desert area with spectacular red sandstone crags and rock piles that have eroded in a variety of interesting and unusual forms. Many rock faces are covered with desert varnish, a naturally occurring dark patina that forms on the surface of rocks in the desert. Native peoples who lived in the area created petroglyphs by pecking away the desert varnish to reveal the underlying light-colored rock.

Just south of the Mouse's Tank Picnic Area, a high wall is heavily marked with rock stories. Visitors can carefully scramble up on broken boulders to get closer to the rock stories, but be extra carefully when high enough to fall and get hurt. Standing on the ground, the petroglyphs are clearly visible, but binoculars will help with details. Ground-level petroglyphs begin adjacent to the broken-boulders pile.

Location

Valley of Fire is located about one hour northeast of Las Vegas. The quickest way to get to the Valley of Fire from Las Vegas is to drive north on Interstate-15 (actually northeast) for about 33 miles to Exit 75E. Exit at the Indian Smoke Shop and drive east on Highway 169 for about 20 miles. After crossing the mountains and driving down a spectacular limestone canyon, visitors arrive at the entrance station and the first views of the red sandstone crags.

Pay the fee, and then continue east for 4 miles to the Visitor Center turnoff (Table 1, Site 1223). Turn left and drive north towards the Visitor Center (Site 0683), but just before reaching the Visitor Center, turn left and drive west on the Road to Mouse's Tank and White Domes. The Mouse's Tank parking area (Site 1224) is just a few minutes up the road, on the right. Just past Mouse's Tank parking, Picnic Area parking is on the left.

In the picnic area, the petroglyphs begin just south of the toilets.

Hours

The park is always open. The visitor center (open daily, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM) provides exhibits on the geology, ecology, prehistory, and recent history of the park. Most birding and hiking places are in day-use areas. The petroglyph areas are considered day-use only, sunrise to sunset.

Fees

Entrance Fee: $15.00 per vehicle per day ($10 for Nevada residents). Camping Fees: 20.00 per night per vehicle ($10 entrance fee + $10 more), but you get long hot showers for that price (showers only in Atlatl Rock Campground). Add $5 for non-Nevada campers.

For More Information

Visit the state park website; or call them at 702.397.2088.