Old Arrowhead Trail: What to Know Before You Go
Before I-15, before US-91, there was the Arrowhead Trail — the first all-weather auto road connecting Los Angeles to Salt Lake City through Las Vegas, established in 1916. A remnant of that historic route survives inside Valley of Fire as a genuine hiking trail, running roughly 6.8 to 7.1 miles one-way between the park's west and east entrance areas. Like several other Valley of Fire trails, it closes every summer for heat safety. Welcome to the Old Arrowhead Trail, real automotive history you can walk.
Before You Go: This trail is closed annually from May 15 through September 30 for heat safety, along with several other Valley of Fire trails. It reopens around October 1. A separate, much shorter spur trail called Arrowhead Arch (about 0.7 miles, near Elephant Rock) leads to an actual arrowhead-shaped double arch — its closure status wasn't clearly confirmed alongside this longer trail's, so check current signage before assuming it's open. Check parks.nv.gov for current status.
Trail Snapshot
Distance | 6.8–7.1 miles one-way
Elevation | ~800 ft net elevation change, west to east
Difficulty | Moderate
Hike Time | 3.5+ hours one-way
Fee | $10 per vehicle (Nevada plates), $15 per vehicle (non-Nevada)
Restrooms | Not confirmed at either trailhead
Pets | Not explicitly confirmed
Elevation | ~800 ft net elevation change, west to east
Difficulty | Moderate
Hike Time | 3.5+ hours one-way
Fee | $10 per vehicle (Nevada plates), $15 per vehicle (non-Nevada)
Restrooms | Not confirmed at either trailhead
Pets | Not explicitly confirmed
How to Reach the Trailhead
The western trailhead sits about half a mile from the park's West Entrance, near the Beehives formation; the eastern trailhead is a dirt lot near the Elephant Rock Loop, close to the East Entrance. Standard entrance fee applies.
What to Expect on the Trail
A long point-to-point route across washes and single/doubletrack terrain, with a net elevation loss heading west to east. Rated moderate given the distance rather than any technical difficulty. Rattlesnake activity is noted specifically in warmer months, a real reason to favor cooler-season hikes here beyond the mandatory summer closure.
The Highway That Became I-15
The name traces to the Arrowhead Trail Highway Association, which established this route in 1916 as the first all-weather auto road linking Los Angeles and Salt Lake City via Las Vegas. The name likely derives from a railroad company's arrowhead logo. Much of the original route eventually became US-91 and later I-15 — this stretch inside Valley of Fire is preserved as the park's own "Old Arrowhead Trail."
Best Time to Visit and Conditions
Closed May 15 through September 30 every year. Winter, once the trail reopens in October, is doubly recommended given both cooler temperatures and reduced rattlesnake activity.
Practical Advice for New Visitors
- Bring at least 3 liters of water per person given the distance.
- Plan a shuttle or be willing to do a long out-and-back.
- Wear sturdy hiking shoes.
- Confirm current open status before you go.
- Watch for rattlesnakes, especially outside the coolest months.
- Not recommended for young kids given the distance.
- Closed May 15 through September 30 every year.
- Plan your return logistics before starting — this is a one-way trail.
For hikers who want genuine automotive history combined with a real desert traverse, the Old Arrowhead Trail delivers something distinct from the park's more scenery-focused trails. Plan your route carefully, respect the closure, and appreciate a real piece of Southern Nevada's transportation history.
