Valley of Fire State Park

Fiery Red Rocks and Ancient Art

Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada showcases striking red sandstone formations shaped by wind and time. The landscape features towering spires, deep canyons and smooth boulders that change color with sunlight. Visitors explore trails like White Domes and Mouse’s Tank to see petroglyphs left by ancient peoples. The park provides camping spots and stargazing opportunities under clear desert skies. Its unique geology makes it a popular spot for photographers and hikers seeking dramatic scenery in the American Southwest.

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National Park in United States

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Safety: 7.2

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	4
Tap water:	8

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5/5

English is spoken everywhere, and all signage, maps, and ranger programs are in English. Staff at the visitor center are helpful, and basic information is available in other languages for international visitors.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Valley of Fire State Park Summary

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Outstanding for desert rock formations. Hike through red sandstone valleys, photograph natural arches, explore petroglyph sites and enjoy scenic desert drives.

Place score

7.4

Best at:

Natural sites

Spotless

Deserts

Guided tours

Hiking

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

🌈 8

LGBTQ+

United States – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	US Dollar (USD) £1 ≈ US$1.33
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 The U.S. is highly cashless, with credit and debit cards accepted almost everywhere. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary and expected in the U.S. In restaurants, 15-20% is standard. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also expect tips, usually around 10-20% depending on the service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking laws vary by state, but it is generally prohibited in public spaces without a permit.
Public smoking:	Smoking is restricted in most indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Local laws vary.
Etiquette:	Greet with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, respect personal space, and avoid discussing politics or income unless invited to share opinions. Politeness and friendliness are appreciated.

Thanksgiving (November)	A major holiday with closures and domestic travel surges.
Independence Day (July)	Expect parades, fireworks, and celebrations nationwide.
Christmas (December)	Markets, festive events, and crowded tourist spots.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Lyft, Bolt
Helpful links:	Wikipedia Visa regulations Customs & border control Travel with medicine
Other:	The U.S. is known for its diverse landscapes, cultural experiences, and regional cuisines. Public transport is efficient in cities but less so in rural areas. Renting a car is recommended for exploring national parks.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

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Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Valley of Fire State Park, United States

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High season:	Feb. - April, Oct. - Nov.
Shoulder season:	Jan., May, Sep., Dec.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

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Climate details

Summer highs regularly exceed 40°C: hike only at sunrise, carry plenty of water, and note that heat-related rescues are common

Monsoon thunderstorms July to September can cause flash floods in washes and slot canyons

Open daily year-round; parking at popular spots such as Fire Wave fills by mid-morning in spring

Don't miss

🌈 Hike Fire Wave trail to see swirling sandstone colors
🪨 Climb Atlatl Rock staircase to view ancient petroglyphs
🐘 Visit Elephant Rock natural arch near East Entrance
🖼️ Explore Mouse’s Tank Trail with historic Native American art
🚗 Drive Rainbow Vista for panoramic red rock views

You've been here?

Why travel to Valley of Fire State Park?

You’ll love Valley of Fire if you’re into hiking, geology or just want to see some of the most vibrant natural colors in the American Southwest. The park’s trails wind past arches, slot canyons and 2,500-year-old rock art, making it a paradise for explorers and photographers. It’s also close enough to Las Vegas for an easy day trip, but feels worlds away from the city’s buzz. Be prepared for extreme heat in summer – temperatures can soar above 45°C (113°F)-so spring and fall are the best times to visit. Bring plenty of water, sun protection and avoid strenuous hikes in the midday sun. There’s limited shade and cell service can be spotty. Camping is first-come, first-served and fills up fast in peak season.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Atlatl Rock
2 Valley of Fire Visitor Center

🎡Places for activities

1 Elephant Rock Trail
2 Fire Wave Trail
3 Petroglyph Canyon Trail
4 White Domes Trail

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Arch Rock
2 Beehives Rock Formations
3 Elephant Rock
4 Fire Canyon Wash
5 Fire Wave
6 Mouse's Tank
7 Rainbow Vista Trail
8 Seven Sisters
9 Silica Dome
10 White Domes

🎈Events

Guided ranger hikes (seasonal)
Photography workshops
Astronomy nights
Wildflower walks (spring)
Junior Ranger programs
Park clean-up days
Interpretive talks
Holiday events
Nature art classes
Birdwatching weekends

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Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Go early; desert heat and crowds peak fast.
Bring lots of water, sun protection and snacks; there are no in-park restaurants.
Stay on marked trails; petroglyphs and sandstone are protected and easily damaged.
Drive Mouse’s Tank Road near golden hour for dramatic colors and quick access viewpoints.

How to travel to Valley of Fire State Park

Valley of Fire is about an hour’s drive northeast of Las Vegas. Take I-15 to exit 75 for the west entrance or exit 93 for the east. The nearest major airport is Las Vegas McCarran International. There’s no direct bus service, so rental cars or tours are the best options.

Access summary

From Las Vegas Harry Reid Airport (LAS): Rental car, about 1 hour’s drive.
From Las Vegas Strip/downtown: Drive via I-15 and NV-169, roughly 1 hour.
From St. George, Utah: Scenic desert drive on I-15 and NV-169, about 2–2.5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Valley of Fire State Park

The park has two campgrounds (Atlatl Rock and Arch Rock) with 72 sites, shaded tables, water and restrooms. Camping is first-come, first-served and can fill up quickly. There are no hotels in the park, but plenty of options in nearby Overton or Las Vegas.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

We couldn't find any nearby hotels for now.

How to get around Valley of Fire State Park

Most visitors drive through the park on the Main Road and Scenic Drive, stopping at trailheads and viewpoints. Parking is available at major sites. There’s no public transport inside the park, so a car is essential. The park is open sunrise to sunset; camping is allowed in designated campgrounds.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

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+6 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 6% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend more on meals and getting around.

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The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for North Las Vegas, United States - 63 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£51	£124	£342
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£11	£38	£90
🍝 Food per day	£33	£79	£224
🚕 Transportation per day	£7	£8	£28

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£33
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£17
🍟 Fast food combo	£9
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£11.50
☕ Cappuccino	£4.30
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4.70

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.90
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£16
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.70

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£10.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£70
🤧 Cold medication	£7.50
💇 Basic haircut	£13

Safety information overview

General safety

The park is very safe, but the biggest risks are heat exhaustion and dehydration. Always carry water, avoid hiking in peak heat and watch for snakes and uneven terrain. There’s little shade and limited cell service.

Health & Medical

There are no medical facilities in the park — nearest hospitals are in Las Vegas or Overton. Bring any needed medications and a basic first aid kit. Emergency help may take time to arrive, so plan accordingly.

Accessibility

Some viewpoints and picnic areas are accessible, but many trails have uneven, sandy or rocky ground. Wheelchair access is limited. The visitor center is accessible and has restrooms for all visitors.

Tap water

Drinking water is available at the visitor center and campgrounds, but not at most trailheads. Always fill up before heading out, especially in hot weather.