Established in 1935, Valley of Fire is Nevada's oldest state park, named for the vivid red Aztec sandstone formations that appear to glow at sunrise and sunset, especially along the park's most photographed trails.
Day Use Doesn't Require a Reservation
Valley of Fire moved camping and group-use sites to the Reserve Nevada online booking system in 2023 — but general day-use entry to the park does not require a reservation, just the standard per-vehicle fee at the gate.
A New Visitor Center
A new $30 million visitor center opened in November 2025, replacing the previous facility — check current hours directly before your visit since this is a recent change.
Heat Is a Real Safety Issue Here
The park closes many trails from May 15 through September 30 each year specifically because that period has a documented history of medical emergencies and search-and-rescue calls. If you're visiting in summer, plan around early morning and don't rely on rideshare for trailhead drop-off — return rides are often unavailable, and getting stranded here in the heat is a real risk the park itself warns about.
Explore More at Valley of Fire — Already on LvLocal
Camping
- Atlatl Rock Campground — the only hookup/shower campground in the park.
- Arch Rock Campground — more primitive, vault toilets only.
Hiking
- Fire Wave Trail Guide — the park's most-photographed hike.
- White Domes Loop and Mouse's Tank Trail — an easy slot canyon and a year-round petroglyph walk.
- Rainbow Vista, Prospect Trail, Atlatl Rock petroglyphs, and Arch Rock round out the shorter options.
Book a Guided Trip
Adrenaline ATV Tours runs ATV tours specifically into Valley of Fire. Jeep/off-road options covering this area include Jeepers Las Vegas, Pink Jeep Tours Las Vegas, Las Vegas Rock Crawlers, and GTO Tours. 5 Star Helicopter Tours, Gray Line Las Vegas, and Max Tour LLC also offer trips out this way.
(Some of the guides linked above are still in draft while we review them — the links will resolve as soon as they're published.)
Practical Advice
- Stick to designated roads and parking areas — off-route driving isn't allowed.
- Check the seasonal trail closures (May 15-Sept 30) before planning a hike-heavy visit.
- Bring your own water and don't count on rideshare for trailhead pickup — the park explicitly flags this as a real hazard.
Bottom line for a first-time visitor: day-use entry is simple and reservation-free, but respect the heat warnings — this park has a real history of visitors getting into trouble in summer.
