Hiking Valley Of Fire State Park (Outside Of Las Vegas Nevada)

World-renowned for its 40,000 acres of bright red Aztec sandstone outcrops nestled in gray and tan limestone, Valley of Fire State Park contains ancient, petrified trees and petroglyphs dating back more than 2,000 years. We had the opportunity to go hiking at the Valley of Fire State Park on a June trip to the Las Vegas area. This Las Vegas Hiking Adventure, was a breath taking escape from the concrete jungle that is Las Vegas and we highly recommend you take some time to explore the rock formations and hiking trails at the Valley Of Fire State Park.

Directions to Valley Of Fire State Park: Valley of Fire State Park is a public recreation and nature preservation area covering nearly 46,000 acres located 16 miles south of Overton, Nevada. The state park derives its name from red sandstone formations, the Aztec Sandstone, which formed from shifting sand dunes 150 million years ago. It is located at Moapa Valley, NV 89040. Coming from Las Vegas, take the 15 freeway north until you reach the exit for the Valley Of Fire Highway, which will take you to the Valley of Fire State Park. It is approximately a 45-minute drive each way from Las Vegas. The entry fee when we went was $10 for Nevada residents and $15 for out-of-state visitors.

Description of Hike: Multiple hikes in the park are available to visitors. We visited in June when the weather was very warm. It is important to note that several of the hiking trails have seasonal closures. The Fire Wave Trail and Seven Wonders Loop are closed from June 1 of each year to October 1, 2023. This is due to the excessive heat that can place hikers in danger. While we were there we hiked the White Domes Loop, which is a 1.25-mile roundtrip hike through beautiful scenery. We also went to the visitor center and saw the Beehives and petroglyphs. One of the most popular hikes is the Fire Wave Trail, which was unfortunately closed when we visited due to the extreme heat.

The location of the White Domes Loop is at the end of White Domes Road, which is a beautiful drive to get to. The White Domes Day Use Area has picnic tables and bathrooms along with a kiosk describing the area’s history and geology. The surrounding rock along the trail is colored pink, yellow, orange, and beige. And when placed with the backdrop of a blue sky, it is a spectacular location.

It is important to note that there are some film ruins approximately a third of a mile from the start of the hike. The stone with timbers and plaster is a leftover set from a 1965 movie production. A sign next to the hiking trail explains that the fake ruins were used in the film. Valley of Fire State Park has been a filming location for many movies according to IMDB, including Transformers in 2007, Casino in 1995, Conair in 1997, Total Recall in 1990, Star Trek: Generations in 1994, and Austin Powers in 1997.

Further Thoughts: For those looking for a more extended stay, there are two campgrounds with a combined total of 72 units. Campsites are equipped with shaded tables, grills, water, and restrooms. A dump station and showers are available. All campsites are first-come, first-served. A camping limit of 14 days in 30 days is enforced.

Valley of Fire is located in the Mojave Desert 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Las Vegas, at an elevation between 1,320–3,009 feet (402–917 m). It abuts the Lake Mead National Recreation Area on the east at the Virgin River confluence. It is Nevada's oldest state park

If you travel to this area during the warm summer months, come prepared with the appropriate gear to withstand the heat. You will need plenty of water to stay cool because it is hot in this park during the warm summer months.

Further Education & Hiking Tools: For those looking for more reading on hikes or landmarks in the area, Amazon has several books that you can purchase (and yes, we do earn a small commission from any sale, but that is what funds this website so we appreciate any purchase using our links) Check out the following books Best Hikes Las Vegas, Las Vegas Travel Guide, or if you need a new insect repellant to use on your hikes that works well check out Sawyer Products SP564 Premium Insect Repellent with 20% Picaridin, Lotion or if you need a great towel to keep you cool while hiking on the trail you might want to check out the Sukeen [4 Pack] Cooling Towel.

Rating: Elevation Gain: 150 ft. (Easy), Distance: 1.25 Miles Roundtrip (Easy).

Time to Complete White Dome Loop Hike: 30 minutes to 1 hour.