5 Best Hikes in Valley of Fire State Park
Valley of Fire State Park is one of Nevada‘s greatest gems and is an excellent day trip from Las Vegas. There are ample hiking trails and sights to check out, but if you’re only here for a day, you’ll want to narrow down your itinerary to the best hikes Valley of Fire has to offer. Most (if not all) of the below trails can be completed in a single day, so strap on your boots and get ready to explore this otherworldly park!
Each of these trails is located along Mouse’s Tank Road – the scenic stretch that traverses Valley of Fire. All of these hikes are fairly easy and are suitable for most abilities. The terrain is often uneven and sandy on many paths, however, and there aren’t any paved or wheelchair-accessible trails.
These are the five best hikes in Valley of Fire State Park near Las Vegas, Nevada.
HEY FELLOW DOG PARENTS: Dogs are allowed on all trails within Valley of Fire State Park, but they must be kept on a leash. Be aware, however, that temperatures can get dangerously high for a dog (or human) in the afternoon (even in the winter), and many trails are not shaded.
The 5 Best Hikes in Valley of Fire State Park
Mouse’s Tank
0.75 mi (1.2 km) roundtrip | Out-and-back
Mouse’s Tank is named after an outlaw who used the area as a hideout in the 1890s after he was accused of killing a prospector. This short, easy hike will lead you to a natural basin in the rock where water collects after rainfall. Even if you’re visiting during a dry season, the hike is still worth the short journey. Along the way, you’ll pass by numerous prehistoric petroglyphs which are pretty cool on their own.
Rainbow Vista
1.1 mi (1.7 km) roundtrip | Out-and-back
The highlight of this trail is actually right at the beginning, so if you’re pressed for time you can just stop here for a beautiful panorama. It’s the view from the trailhead where Rainbow Vista gets its name. Large rock formations give you the perfect viewpoint for the multi-colored sandstone surrounding the area. Keep an eye out for bighorn sheep! We saw a bunch out there.
TIP: There’s a pull-off just before the Rainbow Vista parking lot where you can snap a photo of Mouse’s Tank Road. This stretch of road sandwiched between the towering red sandstone is one of the most photographed areas in the park. I totally forgot about this when we visited, so I came home without any photos of that iconic stretch of road. Next time.
Pastel (Pink) Canyon
Roundtrip: Choose your own adventure
Shhhhh…this one’s just between you and me. Pastel (or pink) Canyon is an unmarked trail that you won’t find on any park map. As such, many visitors don’t know about the canyon, so you can usually have this beauty all to yourself. Luckily, Google Maps knows about it, so it’s really not that hard to find. Just be sure to download your map ahead of time in case you don’t have service). If you didn’t know it was there, you would drive right by it. Since this isn’t an official site in the park, there’s no parking lot, but there are a few pull-off spots right by the entrance to the trail. There will be a small sign with the number five posted here to indicate it’s Wash Number 5.
Pastel Canyon is a small slot canyon made up of swirling white and pink-hued sandstone. As soon as you enter this area off the roadside, you’ll enter this gorgeous pastel-colored canyon. You can walk as little or as far as you’d like along the sandy path. We walked for only about 10 minutes before reaching a natural stopping point, but I’ve also read accounts of walking this area for miles. Heads up: if it has rained recently, a small amount of water may have collected in the canyon.
Safety Tip: Be sure to keep track of your path and how far you’ve walked. Since this isn’t an official trail, there are no trail markers to guide you.
Fire Wave
1.5 mi (2.4 km) roundtrip | Out-and-back
In my humble opinion, the Fire Wave Trail alone is worth the trip. It’s certainly one of the best hikes in Valley of Fire! This is an easy, mostly flat walk through a captivating landscape that will leave you in awe. Almost the entire trail feels like it’s on another planet, but the best part is at the end. Here you’ll find the eponymous Fire Wave rock formation sculpted from a mesmerizing swirl of red and white striped sandstone.
I highly suggest taking this hike during the golden hour before sunset for some beautiful light and comfortable temperatures. Just be sure to bring an outer layer and get back to your car before dark – the park closes at sunset. Note that the park service recommends avoiding this hike in high heat.
Please no surfing
While you won’t find any rules posted at the Fire Wave, park rangers have asked people to refrain from climbing on top of the wave formation. This unique rock is fragile, and we want to preserve it to be enjoyed for years to come. Standing atop the wave may seem like the perfect photo-op, but there are plenty of other Insta-worth shots here (trust me).
White Domes
1.25 mi (2 km) roundtrip | Loop
The White Domes trail is the last stop along Mouse’s Tank road before you need to turn around. This loop trail is the most popular in the park! It will bring you through slot canyons and towering sandstones in contrasting colors.
Fun Fact: This area was the location of the 1966 Western film The Professionals, and the movie was responsible for the development of the road to this section of the park. Remains of the film set can still be seen along the trail.
Bonus: Elephant Rock
0.3 mi (0.5 km) roundtrip | Out-and-back
This isn’t so much a hike as it is a short walk up a hill. Elephant Rock is located near the East Entrance to the park and is exactly what it sounds like – a rock that resembles an elephant. You can pass this rock formation on the road, but if you want to get a closer look or snap a photo, you’ll need to take a short hike. While this is a fairly quick jaunt, if you’re pressed for time, I wouldn’t prioritize the Elephant Rock hike over the others on this list.
P.S. Like all other rock formations, please don’t climb on this fragile elephant.
Whether you get to complete one hike or all of them, Valley of Fire State Park is well worth a visit next time you’re in the Vegas area. Which trail are you most excited to explore? Let me know in the comments below!
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