Remove Ads
5.0
3,118 votes

Valley of Fire State Park

29450 Valley of Fire Road, Overton, Nevada 89040 USA

$
$$$$
Budget
Closed Now
Opens Fri 6:30a
  • Independent
  • Credit Cards
    Accepted
  • Pet Friendly
  • Wheelchair
    Accessible
  • Public
    Restrooms
Add to Trip
Remove Ads

“Nevada’s Oldest and Largest State Park!”

Valley of Fire is Nevada’s oldest and largest state park, dedicated in 1935. Ancient trees and early man are represented throughout the park by areas of petrified wood and 3,000 year-old Indian petroglyphs. Popular activities include camping, hiking, picnicking and photography. The park offers a full-scale visitor center with extensive interpretive displays. Several group use areas are also available. The park is open all year. Valley of Fire State Park is six miles from Lake Mead and 55 miles northeast of Las Vegas via Interstate 15 and on exit 75. The Valley of Fire derives its name from red sandstone formations, formed from great shifting sand dunes during the age of dinosaurs, 150 million years ago. Complex uplifting and faulting of the region, followed by extensive erosion, have created the present landscape. Other important rock formations include limestones, shales, and conglomerates. Prehistoric users of the Valley of Fire included the Basket Maker people and later the Anasazi Pueblo farmers from the nearby fertile Moapa Valley. The span of approximate occupation has been dated from 300 B.C.E. to 1150 C.E. Their visits probably involved hunting, food gathering, and religious ceremonies, although scarcity of water would have limited the length of their stay. Fine examples of rock art left by these ancient peoples can be found at several sites within the park. Winters are mild with temperatures ranging from freezing to 75 degrees. Daily summer highs usually exceed 100 degrees F and may reach 120 degrees. Summer temperatures can vary widely from day to night. Average annual rainfall is four inches, coming in the form of light winter showers and summer thunderstorms. Spring and fall are the preferred seasons for visiting the Valley of Fire. The area plant community is dominated by widely spaced creosote bush, burro bush, and brittlebush. Several cactus species, including beaver tail and cholla, are also common. The springtime bloom of such plants as the desert marigold, indigo bush, and desert mallow are often spectacular along park roads. Resident birds include the raven, house finch, sage sparrow, and roadrunner. Many migrant birds also pass through the park. Most desert animals are nocturnal and not frequently seen by the passing motorist. Many species of lizards and snakes are common in the park, as well as the coyote, kit fox, spotted skunk, black tailed jackrabbit, and antelope ground squirrel. The desert tortoise is a rare species and is protected by state law. If you are lucky enough to come across one please leave this likeable and harmless creature to live its life in peace in its own environment. Visitor Information: The visitor center provides exhibits on the geology, ecology, prehistory, and history of the park and the nearby region. It is strongly recommended that each visitor make this an early stop after entering the park. Postcards, books, and souvenirs are on sale for your convenience. The visitor center is open daily from 8:30 am to 4:30. The rest of the park closes at sunset. Entrance Fee: An entrance fee is charged per vehicle upon entering the park. This fee is collected at the fee booth or at self-pay stations. Camping: Additional fees are charged for the use of camping areas and is payable at the campgrounds. All campsites are first-come, first-serve. There are two campgrounds with a combined total of 72 units. Campsites are equipped with shaded tables, grills, water, and restrooms. A dump station and showers are available. A camping limit of 14 days in a 30-day period is enforced. RV Camping: RV sites with power and water hookups are now available. A $10 surcharge is added to the regular camping fee for the use of these sites. Picnicking: Shaded areas with restrooms are located at Atlatl Rock, Seven Sisters, the Cabins, near Mouse's Tank trailhead, and White Domes. Group Area: There are three group areas, each accommodating up to 45 people, though parking is limited. They are available for overnight camping and picnicking by reservation only. Call the park for reservations: (702) 397-2088. Hiking: Many intriguing hikes are available to visitors. Inquire at the visitor center for suggestions on day hikes of varying length and terrain.

Read More >
Add Review
Thanks!
Your Rating
1
2
3
4
5

Reviewed by
kyyote

  • 1 Review
  • 7 Helpful
August 25, 2015
Rated 5.0

Many a Star Trek scene was filmed here! Awesome park, so much to see, you'd have to camp here to see it all and it would take a week. Take a guided tour first to see the highlights, then camp if you wish and re-see the sights or new ones! Late fall early spring best times. As with the desert it gets cold at night so be prepared.

7 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
David Emms

  • 1 Review
  • 7 Helpful
February 27, 2015
Rated 5.0

I made sure I stopped here for a what was originally going to be a couple of hours on my way from Vegas to the National Parks in southern Utah (Zion/Bryce/etc).

I ended up staying about 4 hours! And I barely even scratched the surface of this place.

The scenery is breathtaking and easily compares with any of the bigger, more well-known National Parks in the Utah/Arizona area. Even if some of the formations weren't named, I had a lot of fun trying to name many of the weird shapes. I have so many photos of this place but nothing will come close to the fantastic memories I have!

Will go back here again - even though it's a bit hard for me to return given I live in Australia!

7 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Ymmat

  • 1 Review
  • 6 Helpful
February 26, 2015

One of the most beautiful places I have ever seen! Do not miss it if you are anywhere close to Vegas. Pictures cannot do justice for such an amazing park.

6 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Johanna Flato

  • Expert
  • 145 Reviews
  • 124 Helpful
August 19, 2014
Rated 5.0

This was such a great camping experience!! Take a break from Las Vegas and come here. Its only 45 minutes away, but the landscape looks like Mars.

If you want to camp you should make a reservation--I recommend you do. You'll have the whole place pretty much to yourself! Most road visitors just barely pull off the road and snap some photos. The facilities are nice though, subtle and good-looking and hidden behind the giant red rocks. There are counters for cooking, picnic tables, fire pits, and bathrooms.

We put cots up on the roof and slept in the open air, waking up with the sunrise. It's also fun to sleep in a sleeping bag in the open air in one of the many cave-like nooks around the campsite.

5 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
StephaniePacheco

  • 11 Reviews
  • 14 Helpful
August 17, 2016
Rated 5.0

We drove through the Valley of Fire on our way to Zion National Park in Utah. It was approximately 30 minutes off the highway. Well worth the detour. It was $10 per vehicle to drive through the park. We drove through and came out on the other side back on the road to Utah. Beautiful rocks and bright fire red. We did not get time to stop and venture the park, but we do plan on going back. Even if you only have an hour to spare, driving through is an experience itself.

4 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
simpsale24

  • 8 Reviews
  • 11 Helpful
June 05, 2016
Rated 5.0

I've lived in Las Vegas for 10 years and this has always been my favorite park. It's very underrated because people don't know it's here, even locals! My husband is a park ranger there so I've gotten to see some beautiful places in the park most people haven't seen. You can hike any where in the park, but be careful. It's easy to get lost and even when it's only 65 out, the sun will still be blazing. My husband has had to search and rescue dozens of people, and treat them for heat stroke. During the off season (Memorial Day - Labor Day) they don't do any guided hikes, and they strongly recommend that you do not hike. It's around 110-115 during the summer and hiking on the sand/ rocks makes it feel even hotter! Also they do not take reservations for the camp grounds. It's on a first come basis. October is usually the busiest month because the weather in Vegas is just coming out of the high temps. November, March, April, and May are busy as well.

4 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
jimzmum

  • 1 Review
  • 4 Helpful
February 26, 2015
Rated 5.0

This is a wonderful park. The scenery is breath taking. Fun to watch for the desert big horn sheep, and look for different animal tracks in the sand.

4 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
jnaugz

  • 3 Reviews
  • 2 Helpful
March 14, 2016
Rated 5.0

We stumbled upon this state park and were blown away by its beauty! Great for quickly driving through or taking time for hiking / climbing the huge rocks. Also plenty of picnic tables if you want to have a picnic. Would definitely recommend stopping, especially if you're driving from Zion National Park to Las Vegas!!

2 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Cosette1970

  • 3 Reviews
  • 4 Helpful
June 06, 2015
Rated 5.0

I love this place, esecially the fire wave. It is worth to hike there.

2 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
teresadeadwyler.brugh

  • 21 Reviews
  • 4 Helpful
May 25, 2015
Rated 5.0

This is off the main highway but breath taking beautiful a must see if your in the area.

2 people found this review helpful

Be the first to add a review to the Valley of Fire State Park.

Valley of Fire State Park

29450 Valley of Fire Road
Overton, Nevada
89040 USA
Remove Ads

Hours

Closed Now
  • Sun - Sat: 6:30 am - 7:00 pm

Problem with this listing? Let us know.

Remove Ads

Good for bird watching, educational opportunities, and 3 more activities.

  • Parking
  • Pets Allowed
  • Restrooms
  • Wifi
  • Wheelchair Accessible
  • Credit Cards Accepted
Affiliation
State park or forest
Back In RV Sites Count
20
Max Length
50 ft
Max Stay
14
Season End
Year Round
Season Start
Year Round
Sites Count
72
Standard Tent Sites Count
3
  • Swimming Pool
  • Paved Sites
  • Fifty Amp
  • Full Hookup
  • Rec Facilities
  • Tent Sites
  • Dump Station
  • Big Rigs
  • Back In RV Sites
  • Firewood
  • Laundry
  • Reservations
  • Sewer Hookup
  • Showers
  • Sites
  • Standard Tent Sites
  • Vehicle Wash Permitted
  • Water Hookup
  • Outdoor Seating
See More Details (44)

Campground, Parking, Dining

Remove Ads

Nearby Hotels

Moapa Valley, Nevada
Overton, Nevada
Remove Ads

Related Trip Guides

  • Trip Guide

The top things to do on an I-80 road trip

  • 35 Places
  • 53:41
  • 3,194 mi
Remove Ads
6181