Valley of Fire State Park29450 Valley of Fire Road Nevada Overton, NV 89040Hours: Daily, dawn to dusk Price: $10 per car, $20 to camp ($2 discount NV residents) Type: Attractions Valley of Fire State Park, the oldest in the state (established 1936), is in a scenic valley six miles long and up to four miles wide. Like Red Rock Canyon, it's an example of the Navajo Formation, a continuum of Mesozoic sandstone that stretches from southern Colorado through New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. Taken together, Valley of Fire's arches, walls, geologic engravings, and human etchings -- all in brilliant colors -- form an unforgettable archetype of the landscape of the great American Southwest.
Along the park road just beyond the eastern entrance is Elephant Rock, one of the most photographed formations in the park. Farther along, the Petroglyph Trail Visitors Center has a fabulous setting, nestled at the foot of a mountain of fire. Be sure to check out the Cabins, Petroglyph Canyon Trail, Mouse's Tank, Rainbow Vista, Silica Dome, the Seven Sisters, the Beehives, and Atlatl Rock. The back campsites at the two campgrounds are some of the most appealing in the state. NotesValley of Fire is slightly more than 50 miles from the Spaghetti Bowl. Drive north on I-15/US 93 about 30 miles to Hwy. 169 (Exit 75); take 169 about 18 miles south to the visitor center.
You can make an afternoon loop of it by driving north on I-15 to exit 45B, then heading out NV 147 (E. Lake Mead Blvd.) a ways into the desert. You'll come to a T-intersection where NV 147 ends at NV 167; take a left and continue along the north shore of Lake Mead, passing Callville Bay, Echo Bay, and Overton Beach. Shortly after Overton Beach, you'll see signs for NV 169 and Valley of Fire. Take 169 through the park and out to I-15; from there, go south back into the city. |
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