Welcome to the Valley of Fire State Park
The park is 6 miles from Lake Mead National Recreation Area and 55 miles northeast of Las Vegas via Interstate 15 (exit 75) or 75 miles via Lake Mead Northshore Road and is open all year. An entrance fee is charged per vehicle upon entering the park. This fee is collected at the fee booth or at self-pay stations.
Park hours are sunrise to sunset, and there is 24-hour access to the campgrounds.
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The Highlights
Elephant Rock
Elephant Rock is a beautiful rock formation that looks like an elephant! The rock is right next to the road, but it is better to park in the nearby parking lot and take the 1/3 of a mile trail to reach the formation.
Pro-Tip:
You can stop by Elephant Rock anytime of the day since this portion of the park isn’t gated off.
Seven Sisters
Fascinating red rock formations with a stark desert backdrop that makes a great background for photos.
The Seven Sisters are a group of seven huge boulders that seem to stand alone in the desert. It’s a great spot to picnic.
The scenic drive with Mouse’s Tank Road
If you drive down to White Domes and back, you’ll also find several great vantage points for road shots.
The best place to park is just before Rainbow Vista. If you drive to the Rainbow Vista parking lot, then turn around, there is a pull out on the side of the road just as you head back into the valley.
Mouse Tank
Mouse’s Tank is a natural bowl in the rock where water collects after rainfall. A short half-mile round trip hike takes you to this basin, and you can even find petroglyphs along the way.
Fun Fact:
This spot is named after a Southern Paiute Indian renegade named Little Mouse who hid in the Valley of Fire after being accused of killing two prospectors in the 1890s.
Rainbow Vista
A great photo point with a panoramic view of multi-colored sandstone.
Fire Canyon/ Silica Dome
From this vantage point there is an excellent view of the deep red sandstone of Fire Canyon and the unique geological features of Silica Dome.
White Domes
The one-mile long White Domes hike is a nice loop that gives you a little taste of everything. You’ll see beautiful desert views, slot canyons, windows, caves, and even a historic movie site.
Fun Fact:
This spot is named after a Southern Paiute Indian renegade named Little Mouse who hid in the Valley of Fire after being accused of killing two prospectors in the 1890s.
Beehives
The Beehives are one of the first notable rock features you’ll see driving in the west entrance of the park. Just off the main road, is a cluster of rocks that look like massive beehives. It can be a quick stop, and typically you’ll find people crawling all over the rocks.
Atlatl Rock
Outstanding examples of ancient Indian rock art, or petroglyphs, including a depiction of the atlatl, a notched stick used to throw primitive spears. The atlatl was a predecessor to the bow and arrow.
Petrified Logs
Logs and stumps, washed into the area from an ancient forest about 225 million years ago, are exposed in 2 locations.
You will find more (and updated) information about Valley of Fire State Park on the official website of Nevada State Parks.
Where to stay when visiting Valley of Fire
Since Valley of Fire is so close to Las Vegas, it’s easy to stay in town and visit for the day. If you want to stay near the park, North Shore Inn in Overton might be an option (description below). As an alternative, you can also camp inside the park.
North Shore Inn at Lake Mead, Moapa Valley
We stayed one night at North Shore Inn in Overton. It was a good choice: friendly and helpful owners, nice and clean rooms and convenient for our trip.
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Where to eat
Sugar’s Home Plate, Moapa Valley
Cool place to eat, typical American cuisine. Sugar’s Home Plate is located on the main street in Overton, just a short drive from the Valley of Fire and Lake Mead. The atmosphere is fun and casual, with sports memorabilia adorning the walls and ceiling.
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