The Grand Canyon gets a lot of attention when it comes to natural wonders. But there are so many outdoor offerings around Nevada that are worth a visit: like Valley of Fire State Park.
From 2,000-year-old petroglyphs to slot canyons to spectacular sandstone formations, this 40,000-acre park is a true gem in Southern Nevada. It’s about an hour’s drive from Las Vegas, and visitors can choose from a number of hikes that show off its natural beauty.
The park’s dramatic name comes from the appearance of the dramatic, red sandstone formations, which were originally sand dunes that solidified over thousands of years and shaped by the forces of nature. In sunlight, they seem to light up—and almost catch on fire.
Fun fact about the park: It was once underwater, and the spectacular red sandstone formations were originally sand dunes. The dunes solidified over time and were then shaped by the forces of water and wind. When the sun hits them the right way, it looks like they’re on fire.
The park’s stunning natural beauty also has caught the attention of Hollywood. Several major movies, including classics like Viva Las Vegas, starring Elvis Presley, and modern hits like Transformers, have been filmed within the park. Knowing that you are walking through a landscape that has been featured on the silver screen adds an extra layer of excitement to the hiking experience at the park.
For first-time visitors, the Fire Wave Trail, the park’s best-known route, is a great starting off point. Getting there is easy, thanks to a well-marked trail with yellow-tipped signs and cairns (which are piles of stacked rocks that assist with wayfaring). The 1.5-mile trail is a short out-and-back stretch to the fire wave. It’s an awesome piece of nature’s artwork: The stone’s varying stripes look like they’ve been created by a single paintbrush stroke running along the rock. The colorful stripes are made of iron and manganese, which have been revealed after centuries of wind and water erosion.
The approximately 1.1-mile White Domes Trail is another popular trail that packs a lot of scenery into a short loop that’s well suited to most skill levels. Soon into the hike, you’ll make your way into the Kaolin Wash, with stunning, sheer sandstone walls. Be sure to keep an eye out for what looks like a ruin of sorts. But it’s actually the last remaining piece from the set of the 1965 movie The Professionals. The hike also includes a stretch through a shallow shot canyon, which eventually opens up to reveal beautiful striated white sandstone cliffs—these are the white domes the trail is named after. If you tackle this hike in the winter, be sure to check reports ahead of time, as sometimes rainy weather makes the canyon impassible.
Entry fee to the park is $10 per vehicle for Nevada residents (it’s $15 for non-residents), with extra fees for camping and utilities. Be sure to stop by the visitor center to see exhibits on the geology, ecology and history of the park—an ideal destination for a day trip or longer weekend adventure.
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