Day Trip Guide to Valley of Fire from Las Vegas
If you’re looking for an epic day trip from Las Vegas, look no further than Valley of Fire State Park. Less than an hour’s drive from the Vegas strip, Valley of Fire is super accessible but feels like it’s on an entirely different planet. With sweeping desert views, insane geological formations, and a handful of hiking trails suitable for nearly all skill levels, Valley of Fire might just become your favorite place in Nevada.
This park makes for the ideal kind of day trip – one where there’s plenty to explore but not so much that you leave feeling like you’ve barely scratched the surface. While you won’t be able to explore everything in a single day, you will be able to make a sizeable dent. With this day trip guide to Valley of Fire, you’ll leave knowing you’ve really gotten to experience what this park has to offer. It’s such a satisfying feeling.
Get the most out of your day trip from Las Vegas with this guide to Valley of Fire State Park.
The Basics
Location: Overton, Nevada, USA
Entrance Fee: $10 per vehicle (plus an additional $5 for out-of-state vehicles)
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Pets: Pets are welcome on all trails but must be kept on a leash of no more than six feet in length.
Notable Wildlife: Bighorn sheep, jackrabbits, snakes, lizards, desert tortoise (rare)
Getting to Valley of Fire
This park is an easy trip from Vegas, clocking in at about a 50-minute drive each way. Just take the I-15 North until you get to Valley of Fire Highway, and that’s it.
There will be a gas station/convenience store at the intersection where you turn onto Valley of Fire Highway. This is about 20 minutes from the entrance to the park and is the last place to stop for gas, food, and supplies.
Best Time to Visit
Valley of Fire experiences typical desert weather with hot days, cold nights, and little precipitation. The summer months bring extreme heat that can make hiking difficult or even dangerous. I recommend avoiding a visit in June through September. The remainder of the year has much more pleasant daytime temperatures. Crowds are typically manageable throughout the season, but there’s an increase in visitors on weekends and holidays.
The best time to visit Valley of Fire is from October through April.
Things to Do on a Day Trip to Valley of Fire
Drive the scenic White Domes Road
Start your day off by driving the scenic White Domes Road (sometimes called Mouse’s Tank Road). This beautiful stretch of road traversing Valley of Fire is sandwiched between towering red sandstone. The gorgeous views on this road are some of the most photographed spots in the park. Nearly all of the park’s trailheads are located along this 5.7-mile road, so there are plenty of places to pull over and take in the views. I recommend driving all the way to the end of the road and then stopping at the various trails on your way back down. At the end of White Domes Road, you’ll find the trailhead for a popular hike, White Domes trail.
Hit the trails
There are several amazing hiking trails in Valley of Fire, and each is suitable for most skill levels and abilities. Discover slot canyons and an old film set at White Domes, ancient petroglyphs at Mouse’s Tank, and swirling pink sandstone at the secret Pastel Canyon. If you’ll be in the park around sunset, I highly suggest saving the Fire Wave trail until then.
Read More: The 5 Best Hikes in Valley of Fire
With the longest trail in the park being only 1.5 miles (.8 km), it’s pretty manageable to complete most of the trails in just a day. However, try to avoid hiking during midday when the desert sun is at its peak. Also, be sure to have plenty of water and sunscreen (even in the winter).
Wildlife in Valley of Fire
While you’re driving around or out on the trails, keep an eye out for bighorn sheep – Nevada’s state animal. The majority of this area’s wildlife is nocturnal, so bighorn sheep are one of the few animals you’re likely to see during the day.
If you’re extremely fortunate, you might spot the rare desert tortoise. These guys spend most of their time burrowed underground, so if you sight one you may want to head back to Vegas to play some slots because luck is on your side.
Have a picnic surrounded by the Seven Sisters rock formation
There are several picnic areas in the park, but our favorite was at the Seven Sisters rock formation. These fascinating large rocks can be found on the Valley of Fire Highway that stretches between the park entrances. There are no restaurants in or around the park, so you’ll definitely want to pack a picnic lunch for your day trip. This picnic area has covered tables to shade you from the scorching midday sun and is surrounded by towering red rocks and a sweeping view of the Mojave desert. It’s such a relaxing and beautiful place to stop and refuel.
Marvel at the bizarre Beehives rock formation
Erosion from wind and water has sculpted these sandstone rocks to resemble beehives. This is a quick stop on the Valley of Fire Highway. You’ll find these formations right by the parking area – no hiking required.
Drive the Scenic Loop Road
This short, 2-mile loop near the west entrance will bring you past two more rock formations – Atlatl Rock and Arch Rock. At Atlatl Rock, you’ll discover an abundance of ancient Native American petroglyphs as you make your way up the two flights of stairs to the top of this large boulder. Arch Rock requires much less legwork, but it’s also somewhat unimpressive. You can get a quick look at this small sandstone arch from the pull-off on the road and then take a moment to explore the surrounding area. We had fun snapping some photos in a nearby sandstone cove (pictured below).
Catch Golden Hour at the Fire Wave
The Fire Wave is the most iconic rock formation in Valley of Fire and was my favorite part of this day trip. If you only have time for one hike in the park, make it this one. Walking along this trail, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped onto another planet. The bright red rocks and swirling white and red striped waves just don’t seem like they belong on Earth.
I highly recommend making this hike during Golden Hour (the hour before sunset) for the best photography lighting and comfortable temps. 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 advises avoiding this hike in high heat.
Valley of Fire State Park is definitely one of the best (if not the best) day trips from Las Vegas. Its proximity to Vegas, mild trails, and stunning scenery really make the decision to visit a no-brainer. You need to go. Right now. Go right now!
Do you have any questions about this day trip from Vegas to Valley of Fire? Let me know in the comments below.
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