Stunning Mouse's Tank Road with fiery red rock cliffs on both sides of a winding road - in Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada.

Visiting the stunning Valley Of Fire from Las Vegas (2024)

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I have been to Vegas more than ten times by now, but only on my last visit was able to carve out half a day to visit the Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada with my family.

And I am so glad I did. I was so completely awestruck by the fiery red rock scenery at Valley of Fire. I felt like I was on another planet altogether. Maybe this is what being on Mars feels like!

Valley of Fire State Park near Overton, Nevada, is popular for its stunning red sandstone formations and ancient petroglyphs.

We enjoyed the Mouses’ Tank Road scenic drive through the park, did the Fire Wave hike, and captured lots of stunning photos! I can assure you that it’s an adventure worth taking while in Vegas.

So, let’s get into the details on how you can visit Valley of Fire from Las Vegas and the top things to do there on your visit.

In a hurry, and looking for a tour recommendation to Valley of Fire from Vegas?

Valley of Fire Hiking Tour from Las Vegas – Half-day small group tour to explore the Valley of Fire State Park and do a guide-led hike that is tailored to the group’s needs. Great for photos!

How far is Valley Of Fire from Las Vegas?

  • Distance from Las Vegas to Valley of Fire State Park – around 50 miles
  • Travel time from Las Vegas to Valley of Fire State Park – around an hour

It took us around an hour to reach the West Entrance of Valley of Fire from Vegas via 1-15N, and then we took exit 75 to Valley of Fire Hwy.

Anu standing behind a white photo op cut out sign that says Greetings from Valley of Fire State Park with the red rock scenery in the background
Photo-op near the east entrance of the park

Valley of Fire, being only an hour away from Vegas, is great for a full-day trip or even a half-day trip from Vegas, allowing you to escape the party atmosphere of the Strip and be in the outdoors. Very red other-worldly outdoors, if I may say so!

Anu’s Pro-tip: Valley of Fire is a great stop in a road trip from Las Vegas to Zion National Park, as it is on the way! If you are planning to visit Zion, you can stop by Valley of Fire on the way to Zion or while coming back.

Ways to travel from Vegas to Valley Of Fire

There are really only two options to travel from Las Vegas to Valley of Fire – drive yourself or take a tour from Las Vegas.

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are not an option because of the distance from Vegas and the difficulty of getting a return ride from the Valley of Fire State Park to Las Vegas. Plus, the park is really large, and it is not feasible to explore it all on foot once you let the Uber go.

Drive yourself to Valley of Fire – If you are planning to rent a car in Vegas, then you can drive yourself to Valley of Fire. This is what we did.

Valley of Fire tours from Las Vegas – The next best option to drive, and the more common one, is to take a tour from Vegas. I recommend this small group Valley of Fire Hiking Tour from Las Vegas.

Most folks avoid renting a car in Vegas due to the steep parking prices on the Strip. So, taking a tour is the way to go. Out of our ten visits to Vegas, this is the first time we rented a car!

Stunning red rock landscape at Valley of Fire. Visiting Valley of Fire from Las Vegas is a great day trip
Stunning Red rock formations everywhere in Valley of Fire

Valley of Fire to Las Vegas

If you drove yourself to Valley of Fire Las Vegas, you most probably entered from the West Entrance on Valley of Fire Hwy.

To return to Las Vegas from Valley of Fire, you can either go back the way you came or do the full loop and go out of the East Entrance and then reconnect to I-15N via NV-169 N.

We had time in our day and wanted to see the entire park, especially the Elephant Rock, which is near the East Entrance, so we drove the full loop.

You can also drive to Elephant Rock and still return via the West Entrance. The road through the state park is two-way, so you can turn around at designated spots.

Things to do at Valley of Fire State Park

Visiting Valley of Fire is one of the best outdoor things to do in Vegas besides gambling! The top things to do on my list for Valley of Fire were the scenic drive through Mouse’s Tank Road and the Fire Wave hike.

There are only two main roads in the park – The Valley of Fire Road and the Mouse’s Tank Road. All the attractions are on one of these routes.

Below are some of the top Valley of Fire attractions we explored:

Valley of Fire Road

The Valley of Fire Hwy is the road that connects the west and the east entrances of the park. It is around 7 miles one-way between the two roads.

Valley of Fire road with beautiful panoramic landscape on both sides
Scenic drive through the Valley of Fire Road I was in awe of this vast landscape!

It is the road that you will be on once you enter the park. We saw 360-degree panoramic views of the park as soon as we entered and glimpses of the red hills and the beehive rocks.

There are some attractions on this road, like the Arch Rock, Atlatl Rock, Elephant Rock, and Seven Sisters Picnic Area.

We drove all the way from the West Entrance to the East Entrance of the park and explored attractions along the way.

Mouse’s Tank Road Scenic Drive

Mouse’s Tank Road (also called the White Domes Road) is somewhere between the East and West Entrances and is the most scenic part of the state park. Do not miss driving on this road! This is the road that you see in most photos of Valley of Fire.

Stunning Mouse's Tank Road with fiery red rock cliffs on both sides of a winding road - in Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada.
Stunning Mouse’s Tank Road scenic drive

The Valley of Fire Visitor Center is at the start of the Mouse’s Tank Road, and the road ends at the White Domes Loop parking lot. It is around 5.5 miles one-way.

There are several parking lots along the side of the road to pull out for photos or just to admire the scenery. Several parking lots had picnic areas and restrooms.

There are several hiking trails along the Mouse’s Tank Road, like Mouse’s Tank Trail, Rainbow Vista, Fire Wave Trail, and White Domes Loop.

This scenic drive lived up to its hype. It was just so stunning with the windy road with dips and climbs and the red rock formations on both sides.

We visited in January around late afternoon, just before sunset, so that made the drive even more pleasant weather-wise, and the lighting was perfect.

Fire Wave Trail

We only had time to do one hike on our Valley of Fire day trip, so I checked at the Visitor Center, and the park ranger told me that the Fire Wave trail was the most popular one. So, we hiked the Fire Wave in Valley of Fire park.

Trail with loose red sand and huge red boulders in the background
Start of Fire Wave Trail with red loose sand on the trail

To reach the Fire Wave Trailhead, we drove towards the end of the Mouse’s Tank Road to Parking lot P3. It was late afternoon on a pleasant winter day, and the weather was just perfect for the hike.

The hike starts across the parking lot. There were many people on the trail. We walked through red sand and past some giant boulders to reach the trail part with the rocky rolling hills with striped colors.

A couple posing on the rolling striped hills of fire wave trail in Valley of Fire State Park
Me and hubby on Fire Wave Trail

The red boulders had wave-like formations, with red, pink, and white swirl-like patterns in the rocks.

There is a marked trail here, but folks were walking, taking pics on the red rocks everywhere. The entire area looked really scenic in the evening glow. We loved exploring the colorful rocky terrain.

The Fire Wave trail is 1.5 miles out and back in total. You can do a full loop by combining it with the Seven Wonders or Pink/Pastel Canyon trail, which is a little longer. We didn’t do the loop and did the out-and-back trail.

On the other side of the parking lot, there were incredible pink-colored rock formations. It was beautiful!

light pink colored rock formations in Valley of Fire State Park
Light pink colored rock formations

It took us around an hour total to explore the Fire Wave trail, but we stopped a lot for photos.

My entire family loved this hike, including my teen kids. I would say visiting Valley of Fire and doing the Fire Wave hike is one of the best Las Vegas attractions for kids.

There is no shade anywhere, so make sure to carry water with you. It was evening and pleasant when we went, but it can be very hot on a sunny day during mid-day.

Elephant Rock

The Elephant Rock is just before the east entrance of the park. There is a small 0.2-mile trail along the side of the road to see Elephant Rock.

The rock has an arch that looks like the trunk of an elephant, since the unique name.

Elephant shaped rock formation seen on top of a red rock boulder
Elephant Rock in Valley of Fire State Park – do you see the thin trunk on the upper left?

I took the picture from the road; hence, the rocks in the back are kind of making the elephant’s shape less distinct. I should have climbed up and taken a pic from behind to get a better photo! Nevertheless, it was a unique rock formation!

Also, from here, you can see panoramic views of the desert and the state park. It was amazing!

Beehives (Rock formations)

Beehives are rocks with holes in them. They were everywhere, but we saw most of them near the West Entrance at the Beehives parking lot and near the east entrance where the Elephant Rock is.

REd rocks with large holes that look like beehives at Valley of Fire State Park
A cluster of Beehive Rock Formations at Valley of Fire

Valley of Fire Visitor Center

The visitor center is at the start of the Mouse’s Tank Road. It’s a great place for a restroom break and to get information from the park rangers.

The Visitor Center has exhibits to help you learn more about the history and geology of the park. We got a park map at the West Entrance when we paid the entrance fee of $15.

Best Valley of Fire Tour from Las Vegas

If taking a tour to Valley of Fire from Vegas, I recommend this half-day small group Valley of Fire Hiking Tour from Las Vegas, which includes pickup from most Vegas hotels. Also includes water and snacks. Your group gets to choose the hiking level difficulty, and the tour guide tailors the hike as per your group’s needs.

FAQs about visiting Valley Of Fire

Below are answers to frequently asked questions about Valley of Fire to help plan your trip.

Are reservations needed for Valley of Fire?

We did not need any reservations to visit Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada. Reservations are needed for overnight camping in the park, though.

Do you need to pay to visit Valley of Fire?

Yes, the entrance fee is $10 per vehicle for Nevada residents and $15 for vehicles registered outside Nevada.

we paid $15 at the entrance booth to enter Valley of Fire State Park. The ranger gave us a park map, which was very helpful.

When is the best time to visit Valley of Fire State Park?

The best times to visit Valley of Fire are during the spring, winter, and fall months when temperatures are more moderate. Summer visits are possible but be prepared for high temperatures as they can go into triple digits.

Early mornings and evenings are better for hiking in the park. We visited in January and in the late afternoon, and the weather was pleasant for hiking.

Is camping available within Valley of Fire State Park?

Yes, Valley of Fire has two campgrounds near the west entrance at Atlatl Rock and Arch Rock. The campgrounds have regular camping sites, RV sites, and group sites, which can be reserved online at the Valley of Fire State Park official website.

Are there any facilities or services in Valley of Fire State Park?

Valley of Fire State Park has restrooms and picnic tables at most trailheads throughout the park. Most restrooms at trailheads are vault restrooms. The restroom at the visitor center had running water.

The visitor center also offers exhibits on the geology, ecology, and history of the park. However, there was no cafe or food to purchase anywhere in the park, so bring enough water and snacks/lunch for your visit.

How much time do you need at Valley of Fire?

We spent around 3 hours in Valley of Fire State Park. We drove on the Valley of Fire Road from the west to east entrance and also on the Mouse’s Tank Road while stopping at attractions. These are the only two roads in the park. We also spend an hour doing the Fire Wave hike.

I would suggest planning for 3 to 4 hours, depending on whether you plan to do any hiking or not.

Is Valley of Fire worth visiting?

Yes, Valley of Fire is totally worth visiting! I found it to be stunningly beautiful with its striking red rock formations, scenic drives, epic hikes, and otherworldly landscapes. Whether you’re into hiking, photography, or simply enjoying nature, I think you are going to love it. Plus, being only an hour away from Vegas, it is one of the best day trips or day tours from Vegas.

Scenic Mouses Tank road through Valley of Fire with red landscape on both sides of the road and blue skies
Scenic Mouse’s Tank road through Valley of Fire

Which one is better Valley of Fire or Red Rock Canyon?

Wondering if you should visit Valley of Fire or Red Rock Canyon if you only have time for one? I visited both Valley of Fire and Red Rock Canyon on my Vegas trip, and I found Valley of Fire to be better. It has so much beauty and fiery red rock formations compared to Red Rock, which only has the Calico Hills red rocks area. The scenic drive through Valley of Fire was much more dramatic and stunning than Red Rock Canyon.

Valley Of Fire Travel Tips

Below are some travel tips to help you plan your epic trip to Valley of Fire:

  • Visit Early or Late in the day: Dodge the heat and crowds by visiting in the morning or late afternoon/evening. Plus, the light’s better for photos.
  • Bring water and snacks: The desert’s dry. Bring more water than you think you’ll need, especially in summer. Aim for at least one gallon per person per day. Also, there is no cafe in this park, so bring your own snacks/lunch.
  • Sun Protection: Carrying sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats to protect from the sun is a good idea.
  • Right Shoes: Sturdy, comfortable footwear is crucial for navigating the park’s rocky terrain.
  • Check the Weather: Desert weather can be unpredictable. Check the forecast before heading out.
  • Leave No Trace: Take all trash with you to keep the park pristine for others.
Panoramic views seen from Fire Wave Trail in Valley of Fire
Panoramic views seen from Fire Wave Trail in Valley of Fire

Where to stay for Valley Of Fire

Staying in Las Vegas totally works for visiting the Valley of Fire, as it is only an hour away and can be easily done as a day trip or even a half-day trip from Vegas.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Vacations Club on the Las Vegas Strip, which was an ideal resort in Vegas for family stays. We had a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment suite with a full kitchen!

Final Takeaways: How to Visit Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

Taking a trip from Las Vegas to Valley of Fire State Park turned out to be one of the most memorable parts of our week-long Las Vegas itinerary!

With its breathtaking red scenery, unique rock formations, epic Fire Wave hike, and scenic drives, it was a day well spent. Valley of Fire would be a great place to explore in Vegas with friends!

So, pack some food and lots of water, and get ready to explore Valley of Fire – one of Nevada’s largest and oldest State Parks.

Or take this Valley of Fire Hiking Tour from Las Vegas and leave the logistics to someone else!

Up next, check out my day trip from Las Vegas to Hoover Dam.

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