My first inclination upon arriving in Las Vegas was to leave it. All right, my first inclination was to take shots at the hotel bar with a couple of cigar dealers. The next morning though, we rented a car and headed to the Mojave Desert. It was my first time seeing a desert, and I was excited to hike the Valley of Fire State Park.
Window to the Ancient Past
Valley of Fire is located about an hour northeast of Las Vegas by car, making it a great option for a day trip. The park’s name comes from the 40,000 acres of spectacular red sandstone formations throughout the park.
The outcrops were formed from shifting sand dunes 150 million years ago, when dinosaurs were enjoying the Jurassic period. Uplifting, faulting, and erosion created the present sandstone formations and grey and tan limestone mountains.
Valley of Fire is a window into this ancient past. Visitors can see petrified trees and petroglyphs created by the Basketmaker culture about 2,500 years ago.
The Basketmakers were followed by the Early Pueblo culture and then Paiutes. In 1912, part of the Arrowhead Trail was built through the area connecting Salt Lake City and Los Angeles. An AAA traveler in the 1920s gave the area its nickname because the valley looked like it was on fire at sunset. Valley of Fire became Nevada’s first state park in 1934.
Valley of Fire Today
If you hike or drive through the Valley of Fire, you’ll notice diverse plant and animal life in this dramatic setting. Creosote bush, burro bush, brittlebush, and several kinds of cactus grow among the colorful swirling patterns of the landscape.
Birders might spot roadrunners, ravens, house finches, or sage sparrows. The animals who live in the Valley of Fire are mostly nocturnal. Snakes, lizards, coyote, fox, skunk, bobcats, jackrabbits, and antelope ground squirrels call the area home. If you happen to see a desert tortoise, know that they are rare and protected by law.
Hiking the Valley of Fire
The best time to visit is in the spring and fall when temperatures are milder. Temps were in the 60s during my trip in early February—a nice break from Chicago’s winter!
Visitors should begin their trip at the visitor center to learn some background on the area and decide what features to see. Exhibits cover the region’s geology, ecology, and history. If you’re not sure where to start, rangers will point you to the areas that best fit your timeframe.
Valley of Fire contains several short hikes that you can knock out in a day. Elevations range from 1,500 feet to 3,000 feet. Although the mileage is low, give yourself plenty of time to travel safely on the rocky trails and absorb the stunning surroundings.
In addition to petroglyphs, petrified wood, and canyons, keep an eye out for rock formations that resemble beehives, an arch, and even an elephant. Stick around for sunset to see the hills glowing bright red.
Fire Wave Hike and White Domes
We only had time for one hike, and Fire Wave was the perfect choice. It’s a sunny 1.2-mile out-and-back trail offering breathtaking views and gorgeous photo ops while not too strenuous for those of us who spent the previous night at the bar.
After crossing the street from the parking lot and navigating around a rock wall, the trail opens into an ocean of sandstone. The undulating waves in the orange rocks looked a bit psychedelic. Hikers scrambled up small formations for photos, and it was tempting to wander the area for fresh perspectives and dizzying views.
From Fire Wave, we took a quick drive to the nearby White Domes. We didn’t have time to hike the 1.25-mile trail, but it gave us the opportunity to check out some formations that looked different from Fire Wave. We spotted some birds perched on the rocks and enjoyed this quick window into their home.
The plants and animals, formations, and colors of Valley of Fire are burned into my memory. The best part? Hiking the sandstone formations with my parents and soon-to-be husband. It’s not often that you take in a totally new landscape, and my first desert experience was nothing short of inspiring.
Valley of Fire State Park
29450 Valley of Fire Hwy.
Overton, NV 89040
Sources
- “Valley of Fire State Park.” Nevada State Parks.
- “Valley of Fire State Park: Valley of Fire Camping & Hikes.” Travel Nevada.
Jessica Mlinaric founded Urban Explorer in 2010 to inspire curious travelers by highlighting history, culture, and hidden gems in Chicago and beyond. She is the author of ‘Secret Chicago’ and ‘Chicago Scavenger.’ Jessica has visited 20+ countries and 30+ U.S. states. She has more than 16 years of experience as a marketing strategist and works as a freelance writer and photographer.
