If you are considering a family friendly outdoor adventure off the Las Vegas strip that won’t break the bank (helicopter ride to Grand Canyon $400 per person anyone?) then a visit to the Valley of Fire State Park is for you. And we’ve set you up for success by answering your top questions about the park.
Is the Valley of Fire open?
Yes, the park is currently open from sunrise to sunset. It has a $10 day use fee or a $20 a night to camp. Be sure to check the official Nevada State Park website here before your trip for the latest information.
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Where is the Valley of Fire located?
This amazing and unique state park is just an hour outside of Las Vegas via I-15N. You’ll take exit 75 to merge onto Valley of Fire Hwy. It’s so close to all the modern trappings of the city, but seems like a whole other world once you get there and take in the Aztec sandstone and petroglyphs. The heat can be an issue so try to start as early as you can to get the most out of the day.
What are the Must See Sites at Valley of Fire?
Arriving from the West Entrance the first landmark you’ll notice a small loop on the Vally of Fire Scenic Byway that takes you around a unique formation known as the Beehives, the Atlatl Rock and Arch Rock. Each one of these spots is an easy stop that will allow you and the family to get out stretch your legs and wander the beautiful landscape.
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Don’t miss the best opportunity in the park to get up close and personal with petroglyphs that are thousands of years old. Stop at the parking area of Atlatl Rock and take the metal stairway up to take a closer look at the written legacy of the Anasazi.
Any visit to the Valley of Fire would not be complete without stopping at the Fire Wave trail. From the West entrance and after the scenic loop drive mentioned above, you’ll turn left toward the Visitor Center (If you make it all the way up to the Seven Sisters you’ve gone too far). You want to stay on White Domes Road to get to Parking Lot #3. At just over a mile this hike is an open trek through sand, past Gibraltar Rock, toward a twisting landscape of colorful rock striped in white, pink and reddish-orange hues.
The earlier in the day you can get to the park the better. The sun and walking through loose sand can really take its toll in the middle of a hot dessert day. Be sure to have lots of water with you, a hat, sunscreen and we even saw a few people carrying umbrellas to stave off the heat. But if you follow the short hikes we’ve suggested here, with an early start you should have a successful day!
If you want more ideas for what to do with the family in Las Vegas check out our more detailed post here.
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