The Valley of Fire is in the Mojave Desert 80 kilometers northeast of Las Vegas. The red sand stone dominates its appearance and make it look like the Mars. Valley of Fire is Nevada’s oldest State Park.
Valley of Fire State Park
The Valley of Fire State Park is 80 km northeast of Las Vegas and can be reached in 50 minutes. Lake Meade is southeast of it. The Valley of Fire State Park has two entrances: one in the east and one in the west. The Valley of Fire Road goes all the way through the park.
Elephant Rock and Trails
The most interesting rock is the elephant rock. That is a red colored rock that resembles an elephant. Erosion over many centuries has caused this very odd shape.
Hollywood has used the Valley-of-Fire-Mars-atmosphere several times for movies. The mars scenes of Total Recall with Arnold Schwarzenegger were shot here, also the scene in Star Trek VII when Captain Kirk dies.
The park has several hiking paths. Information is available in the visitor center at the park entrance. It also has a small exhibit about rocks, geology and the region’s history.
Is Hiking possible?
We were there in November, even in Las Vegas it was relatively cold (10 – 15 degrees) and in the Grand Canyon, there was snow. But in the Valley of Fire it was warm, spring weather as we say. That means a T-shirt is enough, no pullover needed. It’s really very warm here, much warmer than anywhere else in close distance. I would only recommend to go hiking if the weather is right. In November it would have been possible but in summer not at all. The driving route along the main road is great. The red rocks create very special atmosphere in the middle of the desert. I have never seen anything alike. Definitely one of the best day trips from Las Vegas.
I would definitely recommend doing a day trip from Las Vegas, it’s not far and you get to see something very special. It’s also a common background for weddings and wedding pictures. When we were there, a couple was taking pictures. I’m sure these pics are spectacular.
Valley of Fire State Park
29450 Valley of Fire Road
Overton, Nevada 89040
Phone: 702-397-2088
Open daily from sunrise to sunset
Entrance per car 10 Dollars. Entrance has to be paid at a self pay station. That means you take a numbered envelope, put your 10 Dollars in the envelope and throw it in a box. There is a numbered coupon at the envelope. Take that coupon and put it on the dash of your car.