When in Vegas: Day Trip to Valley of Fire State Park
You’ve heard the saying, “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”, but after visiting Valley of Fire State Park, you won’t want to keep this a secret!
On your next trip to Las Vegas, make some time in your itinerary to venture out of the city to the oldest state park in Nevada.
Located about 1 hour from The Strip, Valley of Fire State Park gives visitors a glimpse at the natural beauty of Nevada. You’ll be surrounded by red sandstone and limestone as you are transported back to the prehistoric era.
Valley of Fire State Park is open daily from sunrise to sunset. There is a small entrance fee of $10 for Nevada residents and $15 for out-of-state visitors. Campgrounds and RV sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
On our trip to Valley of Fire, we only had one day to explore, but were able to visit many of the popular spots in the park (including the famous Fire Wave Hike). Be sure to check out these places when you visit:
Beehives
Arch Rock
White Domes Road/Loop Trail
Fire Wave
Beehives
When entering the park from the west entrance, you will first arrive at the Beehives. This is a great, family-friendly spot. Both kids and adults will enjoy scrambling on the rock formations. If you climb up high enough, you’ll have a beautiful view of the park!
The sandstone here was eroded by wind and water in such a way that it resembles beehives. If you spend some time exploring, you can find some really fun photo spots!
arch rock
Located just a stones throw from the Beehives, Arch Rock is located on the Atlatl Rock scenic loop. This 2 mile loop will drop you back by the Beehives before you continue through the rest of the park so don’t worry about having to turn around. Parking is limited but the arch is visible from the road so keep your eyes peeled!
Being one of the more interesting rock formations, Arch Rock was formed naturally by thousands of years of strong winds and rainfall. The arch is continuously eroding growing weaker and weaker so there is no climbing on or under it, unfortunately. Be sure to see it while it lasts!
white domes road / loop trail
About half way through Valley of Fire, you will hit the White Domes Road that will take you to the Fire Wave and the White Domes Loop. Be sure to stop by the visitor’s center for some history about the park and grab some fun souvenirs at the gift shop!
The White Domes Road is the most picturesque road in the park offering breathtaking views around every corner. Roll the windows down, turn the radio up, and enjoy the natural beauty of the park!
The end of this road will take you to the White Domes Loop Trail. The 1.25 mile scenic trail offers stunning views, beautiful rock formations, and even a slot canyon! This short hike is fun for any of you movie buffs out there. Valley of Fire has been used many times in cinema, and the White Domes Loop still has part of a stone wall used in the 1965 production of The Professionals.
Just past the movie set is a wash that leads to the slot canyon. This spot is great for pictures! Be sure to check the weather for any rain before venturing out as slot canyons are known for flash flooding. Continue through the canyon to a vast landscape of White Domes that leads you back to the parking lot.
Fire Wave
Start your journey back down White Domes Road and stop at Parking Lot #3. The trail begins on the side of Gibraltar Rock and is a 1.5 mile hike out and back. It is not recommended to hike this trail during the summer months as there is practically no shade and it can get very hot. Be sure to bring plenty of water and sun protection!
The hike is only about 45 minutes, but the trail can be confusing at times. There are plenty of markers that guide your path so keep your eyes open! We highly recommend hiking this trail around sunset. The setting sun allows the colors of the rocks to pop and appear better in photos!
Once you’ve reached the Fire Wave, be sure to take plenty of pictures and climb up the adjacent rocks to see the beauty of the neighboring valley. The Fire Wave is a great place to stop for a snack and enjoy the unique, rare beauty of this amazing park.
