One Day in Valley of Fire State Park: A Perfect Day Trip from Las Vegas

About 50 miles Northeast of Las Vegas lies a hidden gem, the Valley of Fire State Park. Spending one day in Valley of Fire State Park is the perfect day trip from Las Vegas for outdoor lovers. This park contains 46,000 acres of sandstone formations and sand dunes, creating a stunning landscape. It is Nevada’s oldest state park and is totally worth a visit. The main road cuts a 10.5-mile path through the park and offers many scenic stops along the way. 

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The sign for Valley of Fire State Park #nevadastateparks #nevada #lasvegasdaytrip #valleyoffire #lasvegashiking

History of the Valley of Fire

Many of the sandstone formations in the Valley of Fire date back to 150  million years ago. It is believed to originally be the settlement of the Anasazi from 300BC to 1150AD. Throughout this time, they hunted, gathered, held religious ceremonies, and left many petroglyphs in their wake.

After the Anasazi left, the area was eventually taken over by some Morman settlements. Later in 1931, control of the land was shifted from the federal to the state government and it officially became the Valley of Fire State Park. In 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) worked to clean up the park, built the trails and the roads used throughout the park today. Finally, 1934 brought about the official opening of the park.  

Best Time to Spend One Day in Valley of Fire

The Valley of Fire State Park is named the Valley of Fire for a reason. I DO NOT recommend visiting anytime during the summer (May-September). We were there at the end of May and even then it was too hot to complete some of the hikes. The trails are not shaded and will leave you exposed to the sun. Opt to spend one day in Valley of Fire State Park in the wintertime when the temperatures are much cooler, which will make the hikes easier. 

A road winding through a desert sandstone scape in Valley of Fire. #nevadastateparks #nevada #lasvegasdaytrip #valleyoffire #lasvegashiking

How to Get To the Valley of Fire

To get to Valley of Fire State Park from Las Vegas, head out on the 15-N. Take exit 75 and head east. This will take you to the West Entrance Station. There is also an East Entrance station accessible from the opposite end of the park. Note that both entrance stations are on the south side of the park and there is no exit to the north. 

Transportation Around the Valley of Fire

The cheapest and easiest way to spend one day in Valley of Fire is to rent a car. This gives you the ability to go at your own pace and stop at whichever sites you would like. All of the stops are along the main road and clearly marked so it is not difficult to find anything. Note that driving is only allowed along the main road. Off-road driving is prohibited. 

Hours and Admission

The entrance fee to spend one day in Valley of Fire is $10 per car. The park is open from sunrise to sunset unless you are staying at the campgrounds. This makes for a very affordable day trip from Las Vegas! 

The fire wave views in Valley of Fire. #nevadastateparks #nevada #lasvegasdaytrip #valleyoffire #lasvegashiking

Where to Stay

If you do not want to camp in the Valley of Fire State Park, the best place to stay would be Las Vegas. Depending on what you would like to do in Las Vegas, there are tons of options for hotels. If interested in the Strip, opt to stay at one of the hotels along the strip. Downtown/Fremont Street is a little cheaper and is walkable to Fremont Street, which contains plenty of entertainment.

If planning on using Las Vegas as a base for day trips, save some money by staying in Henderson, Summerlin, or North Las Vegas. Note that many of the hotels may have an added resort fee, so pay attention to that when booking. The Hampton Inn Las Vegas Convention Center is a great option. There are also a plethora of Airbnbs in the area. New to Airbnb? Sign up here to get $55 off your first stay.

What to See During One Day in Valley of Fire

There are multiple different trails and sites to see during one day in Valley of Fire. Each site offers impressive views and great opportunities for photos. 

Fire Wave

A woman sitting on a sandstone formation in Valley of Fire. #nevadastateparks #nevada #lasvegasdaytrip #valleyoffire #lasvegashiking

Length: 1.5 miles round trip

Begin your one day in Valley of Fire with the iconic Fire Wave hike. This hike should take you about an hour. If you have ever seen any pictures of Valley of Fire, you most likely have seen a picture of the end of the fire wave hike. This 1.5-mile out and back hike takes you to these iconic pink waves. Do not do this hike in the heat as there is no shade. Also, make sure to stay on the marked path. 

White Domes 

Many sandstone formations. #nevadastateparks #nevada #lasvegasdaytrip #valleyoffire #lasvegashiking
A woman walking through a slot canyon in Valley of Fire White Domes Trail. #nevadastateparks #nevada #lasvegasdaytrip #valleyoffire #lasvegashiking

Length: 1.25 loop trail

Next, head out to the White Domes Trail. The White Domes trail is known for its sandstone formations and slot canyons. This loop trail takes you through the old film set of the movie “The Professionals” and then to a set of slot canyons. In total, plan to spend about 45 minutes completing this hike. 

Atlatl Rock

Length: 0.1 mile climb

After lunch during your one day in Valley of Fire, head out on the scenic loop road. Your first stop along this road will be Atlatl Rock. At this stop, you will climb a set of stairs up to a set of petroglyphs. Petroglyphs are an example of Ancient Indian art carved into rocks. Petroglyphs tended to tell stories. 

Arch Rock

A red arch rock in Valley of Fire. #nevadastateparks #nevada #lasvegasdaytrip #valleyoffire #lasvegashiking

Next, stop at Arch Rock. This quick stop gives you a view of some awesome naturally formed rock arches. You can also check out Piano Rock at this stop. 

Beehives

A beehive rock formation in Valley of Fire. #nevadastateparks #nevada #lasvegasdaytrip #valleyoffire #lasvegashiking

Another interesting stop along the scenic loop road is the Beehives. These sandstone formations were eroded by wind and water and look like big beehives. 

All of these stops and viewpoints will make for the perfect one day in Valley of Fire State Park. 

More Than One Day in Valley of Fire?

Although you can pretty much see most of the main site during one day in Valley of Fire, if you have an extra day, you can basically see the entire park. Check out these other sites if you have more time. 

The trailhead of Rainbow Vista in Valley of Fire. #nevadastateparks #nevada #lasvegasdaytrip #valleyoffire #lasvegashiking

Rainbow Vista

Length: 0.7-mile round trip

Begin your second day at Valley of Fire by stopping at the Rainbow Vista viewpoint. This stop offers panoramic views of the park and the gorgeous multi-colored sandstone formations. You can opt to hike out the shorter trail to the 360-degree viewpoint, or you can hike a little further (1.5-miles total) to the Fire Canyon Overlook.

Mouse’s Tank (Petroglyph Canyon) 

Length: 0.75-mile round trip

After Rainbow Vista, stop at Mouse’s Tank. Mouse’s Tank is a short trail that leads you to an area with a ton of Petroglyphs. It is named after an outlaw who hid in the area during the 1890s. This is a great hike to do with children or people less into hiking. It should take under an hour to complete. 

Elephant Rock

Another fun sight to see during one day in Valley of Fire is Elephant Rock. This rock is close to the east entrance station. If you look closely, it is shaped like an elephant. It is just a short hike from the road. 

Final Tips for Spending One Day in Valley of Fire

Spending one day in Valley of Fire is the perfect day trip to escape from the endless casinos of Las Vegas. It is also the perfect stop along a road trip, especially if headed to Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, the Grand Canyon or Page, Arizona. Make sure to bring snacks, food, and plenty of water as there are minimal services available in the park. A hat, sunglasses, and appropriate hiking shoes are also a wise decision. 

A road through the Valley of Fire
A road through the Valley of Fire

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16 thoughts on “One Day in Valley of Fire State Park: A Perfect Day Trip from Las Vegas”

  1. I really wish I had more time to do Valley of Fire during my Southwest road trip over the summer. It seriously looks so amazing! Next time I’m in Vegas, I’m definitely not missing out on this epic spot! 🙂

  2. Wow, the Valley of Fire looks incredible! I’ve visited Vegas a couple of times on work trips and I’ve never visited the national park, but the landscape around Vegas always amazes me…it’s so different from the UK! I’d love to try out these hikes you’ve suggested as they all look so picturesque! Fire Wave looks especially beautiful! Thanks for the great guide!

  3. I kind of stumbled on this park when we got snowed out of Bryce Canyon last spring. So happy to spend a few days here. It was so incredibly beautiful. You have represented it well in photos and helpful information.

  4. I’ve been to Valley of Fire about 10 times and I never get tired of it! It is so easy to get to and so beautiful I enjoy it each and every time I go.

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