Searching for an out of doors journey in Nevada? The 46,000-acre Valley of Fireplace State Park ought to be added to your bucket record. The US has a lot of stunning nationwide parks, however their State Parks are fairly spectacular as nicely. The truth is, the Valley of Fireplace is without doubt one of the greatest state parks in Nevada. The park is legendary for its attribute Aztec sandstone, which provides the park a memorable purple glow and it’s stuffed with fascinating rock formations and mountain climbing trails. Earn some stamps in your Nevada state parks passport and put together for some thrilling experiences.
So, what are the very best issues to do within the Valley of Fireplace? From the very best hikes to the very best pure points of interest and viewpoints, this information will cowl all the very best issues to do within the Valley of Fireplace. Let’s dive straight in.
Greatest Hikes within the Valley of Fireplace State Park
In the event you love mountain climbing, you’ll love the Valley of Fireplace State Park. The Valley of Fireplace hikes are sometimes difficult however all the time rewarding. The routes move fascinating pure points of interest – be it petrified logs or an enormous, bizarrely formed rock formation.
Nevertheless, these Valley of Fireplace hikes are the very best of the very best.
1. Outdated Arrowhead Path
Outdated Arrowhead path is a brief and candy hike within the Valley of Fireplace. Only one.1km out and again, the path takes round fifteen minutes to finish. If you would like a straightforward introduction to exploring the park on foot, we suggest selecting the Outdated Arrowhead path.
What’s there to see en route? Properly, if you’re fortunate, a herd of Bighorn Sheep and one of many park’s most well-known websites. Wildlife within the Valley of Fireplace could be elusive, so animal lovers ought to strive their luck mountain climbing this route. Other than Bighorn Sheep, hikers can spot the Arrowhead Arch, views of Lake Mead, and get a way of that stunning Nevada desert surroundings.
Arrowhead trailhead could be discovered solely 0.8 km from the west entrance, simply off the Valley of Fireplace Freeway. You possibly can rapidly acknowledge the path by its arrowhead signpost.
2. White Domes Path
The White Domes hike is the path for you if you would like minimal effort and a excessive reward. This 1.8 km path has been used for a lot of a Hollywood setting with its dramatic geological constructions, and a slot canyon to navigate. Solely half-hour lengthy, the observe packs lots into a brief interval. For the enjoyable lovers amongst you and people on a time restrict, the White Domes path is a good possibility.
Watch the Sixties western movie The Professionals earlier than mountain climbing the White Domes path. This fashion, you’ll doubtless spot many movie places when strolling the trail. Squeezing by the slot canyon on the finish can also be a enjoyable technique to finish the expertise.
The White Domes trailhead is accessed off of the primary street. Flip onto Mouse’s Tank Street, which ultimately switches to White Domes Street and involves a lifeless finish on the hike’s trailhead.
3. Seven Wonders Loop
Google Maps is a should for this hike. You’ll want wonderful navigation expertise, a way of journey, and unflappability beneath stress. Why? The entire path is unmarked and unofficial.
You’ll need to depend on faintly trodden paths and a navigation app to stroll by canyon slots, move multi-colored sandstone rock formations, and over the sandy desert panorama. Nevertheless, you’ll mix most of the park’s greatest points of interest in a single hike. The perfect pure points of interest en route are Fireplace Cave, Thunderstorm Arch, Loopy Hill, Pastel Canyon, and Fireplace Wave. After the Fireplace Wave, you observe the Fireplace Wave path again to your place to begin on the Fireplace Wave car parking zone.
The path is just 4 km lengthy and will take lower than two hours to finish. Nevertheless, all the time go away your self further time in case you’re taking a incorrect flip. The Seven Wonders Loop just isn’t one to deal with an hour earlier than darkish.
4. Fireplace Wave Path
Whereas we’ve briefly coated Fireplace Wave within the Seven Wonders path, Fireplace Wave can also be a worthy hike by itself. The truth is, some might say that it’s the greatest (if not hottest) path to hike within the Valley of Fireplace.
The two.5 km path is extraordinarily newbie pleasant and well-marked for easy navigation. You’ll traverse giant rocks and boulders, recognizing yellow indicators and cairns alongside the best way for instructions. Fireplace Wave is situated on the path’s finish and is a surprising pure attraction. The sandstone formation has completely different rock colours, organized in wave-like patterns which can be extremely photogenic. Fireplace Wave is a fantastic place to be at sundown or dawn, and the comfortable lighting is ideal for admiring the phenomenon.
Permit round an hour to hike there and again, plus somewhat longer to admire the Fireplace Wave. The Fireplace Wave trailhead could be discovered off Mouse’s Tank Street, simply earlier than the White Domes trailhead. Chances are you’ll want to mix these two trails for an final expertise.
Ensure that to verify the Nevada State Park Web site for path closures. Each the Seven Wonders and the Fireplace Wave trails have been closed for the summer time of 2022 due to excessive warmth.
5. Elephant Rock Path
Elephant Rock is one in every of our absolute favourite Valley of Fireplace hikes. It doesn’t take a lot thought to guess what the rock formation on the path’s finish appears like. It actually does give the impression of an elephant – trunk and all.
This simple path is simply 0.5 km lengthy. The truth is, you may truly full it in round ten minutes. You’ll barely get a sweat on and get to see one of many park’s greatest pure points of interest. Due to its brief size and recognition amongst guests, Elephant Rock is ceaselessly included on Valley of Fireplace excursions. And, due to its location, we suggest dropping by Elephant Rock as you exit or go away the park, relying on whether or not you discover the park from its west to east or vice versa.
Elephant Rock is situated on the roadside of the Valley of Fireplace Freeway, simply after the East Entrance. We advise parking within the East Entrance automobile park and strolling 5 minutes to the Elephant Rock trailhead.
6. Pink Canyon Path
Searching for a photogenic hike? Pink Canyon is the one for you. The canyon will get its two names from its distinctive, pastel pink colour. Solely 0.6 km lengthy, the canyon hike takes round half-hour to finish and is well probably the greatest issues to do within the Valley of Fireplace.
Hikers can get pleasure from strolling by the superbly coloured sandstone canyon, which has a comfortable sandy flooring that helps hold the hike cool earlier than the noon solar. We suggest visiting within the early morning, as other than being cooler, you’ll discover the canyon colours extra enhanced. The pastel pink is damaged up by stripes of orange, brown, white, and even inexperienced – a surprising show of geology.
Like most of the hikes on this information, Pink Canyon is situated off of Mouse’s Tank Street. The trailhead is situated a ten-minute drive alongside the street from the Valley of Fireplace Customer Middle.
7. Petrified Wooden Path
Have you ever ever needed to see the petrified wooden phenomenon in particular person? Questioning what I’m speaking about? Properly, it’s a complicated, attention-grabbing course of the place logs are buried beneath sediment. With out oxygen, wooden step by step turns to stone because the log begins to rot. When these logs ultimately work their method as much as the floor, they seem petrified.
The Valley of Fireplace has a petrified logs loop that guests can hike and look at the aftermath of the method for themselves. The path is just 0.5 km lengthy and passes quite a few logs. The trailhead is situated simply after the turn-off for Campground Street, and also you’ll need to hold your eyes peeled for a gravel observe on the correct with petrified log indicators. The trailhead just isn’t obtainable on Google Maps, however you may all the time drop by the customer middle in the event you get caught.
8. Loopy Hill Path
Only one km lengthy with 23 meters in elevation, the Loopy Hill path is an effective possibility for rookies. The ‘hill’ is a big sandstone mound formed by erosion over tens of millions of years. It’s an summary pure attraction, and the weird combine of colours is fascinating and nicely price strolling to.
Once more, you’ll discover it greatest to go to in softer gentle hours like sundown or dawn. It solely takes round ten minutes to hike the Loopy Hill path, so you may all the time squeeze it in on the finish of your day within the Valley of Fireplace. The trailhead is centrally situated on Mouse’s Tank Street, which is useful when slotting it into your itinerary.
9. Pure Arches Path
Prepared for a problem? Pure Arch path is a 6.8 km out and again route that takes roughly an hour and a half to finish relying in your health. The prize of the path sadly fell resulting from erosion, however the Pure Arches path nonetheless has stunning views and different arches to see for individuals who are as much as the problem.
The problem is the thick sand, which makes mountain climbing far more tough. The Pure Arch trailhead is simple to seek out and marked on Google Maps. You’ll discover a parking lot in the event you flip off the Valley of Fireplace Freeway. It’s situated between the historic cabins and Elephant Rock.
10. Prime of the World Arch Path
The Prime of the World Arch path is comparatively brief however positively not candy. At 7 km lengthy, you is likely to be forgiven for considering this path is a medium-difficulty possibility. Nevertheless, the route is solely unmarked and requires a whole lot of navigational expertise. You’ll have to arrive armed with an offline navigational app and you must know easy methods to learn a map with orienteering expertise.
The path has an actual backcountry ambiance and is implausible for supplying you with the ‘desert hike’ expertise. Plus, there’s a large sandstone arch midway to maintain you motivated. Permit round two hours to finish the path, though longer in the event you doubt your sense of route. Anticipate a whole lot of giggles, pack water, and time your hike with noon temperatures in thoughts.
11. Prospect Path
Acquired the health and motivation for an extended path? Good for you. Prospect path is a 15 km out and again path that’s thought-about reasonably difficult and requires loads of scrambling. You’ll want a sturdy pair of footwear and be prepared to get caught in.
It isn’t all problem after problem, although. Strolling the Prospect path is without doubt one of the hottest issues to do within the Valley of Fireplace for a purpose; it has beautiful views over the state park. You’ll spot the Fireplace Canyon, Arch Rock, and Atlatl Rock from the summit of Prospect path move.
Don’t miss the trailhead, as it’s simple to drive previous. Go the 2 turn-offs for Arch Rock Campground and search for a small gravel car parking zone by the roadside. Google Maps ought to assist and has the path marked.
12. Rainbow Vista Path
The Rainbow Vista path is a straightforward hike that leads you to a viewpoint overlooking Fireplace Canyon. At solely 2km lengthy, permit round half an hour to finish this out and again stroll, plus somewhat longer to admire the views. The path is well-maintained and straightforward to navigate – ultimate for rookies or these brief on time.
Rainbow Vista could be mixed with a hike by Fireplace Canyon, because it offers a special perspective. The combination of colours is gorgeous, particularly throughout hours of softer lighting. Chances are you’ll want to hike this path at dawn or sundown.
Begin the path on the Rainbow Vista car parking zone. Rainbow Vista car parking zone could be discovered alongside Mouse’s Tank Street, simply 5 minutes drive from the Valley of Fireplace Customer Middle.
13. Mouse’s Tank Path
You’ve heard lots about Mouse’s Tank Street up to now, however what concerning the path that gave it its namesake? Mouse’s Tank path is just one.2 km lengthy, but one of the crucial entertaining issues to do within the Valley of Fireplace.
Mouse’s Tank path is a sandy observe by the bottom of a canyon. You possibly can expertise the sensation of strolling by a canyon – which is a must-do in the event you haven’t accomplished so earlier than. Nevertheless, Mouse’s Tank additionally has a whole lot of petroglyphs. In the event you get pleasure from studying about historical historical past or are an artwork fanatic, you must positively think about mountain climbing this path.
14. Fireplace Canyon Path
Fireplace Canyon is a implausible addition if you wish to make the Mouse’s Tank path more difficult. Merely proceed previous the Mouse’s Tank and take the trail additional. You’ll ultimately attain Fireplace Canyon Wash – a surprising part with a blur of orange and purple alongside the canyon partitions.
The Fireplace Canyon extension is difficult, and you ought to be ready for scrambling and narrows to navigate. At 11.5 km, Fireplace Canyon is not any simple feat, particularly in sizzling climate. You’ll have to fastidiously plan your hike and time it to coincide with cooler temperatures. The route takes three to 4 hours to finish, relying on the place you flip round and the way lengthy you cease at points of interest alongside the best way.
15. Silica Dome Path
Silica Dome is without doubt one of the most original pure points of interest within the Valley of Fireplace. Visiting is undoubtedly probably the greatest issues to do within the park. The dome is a brilliant white, due to its geological composition. The excessive silica focus provides the Silica Dome its white colour, which is a surprising distinction to the orange and purple sandstone surroundings round it.
The Silica Dome path is lower than 2 km lengthy and takes round thirty minutes to finish. Be ready to climb the dome itself, so the ultimate part is sort of steep. Nevertheless, anybody with a reasonable health degree ought to simply full the path – so long as they’ve water and a sturdy pair of trainers. After all, permit your self longer to admire the dome and the views from the highest.
Silica Dome is accessed by the trailhead on the finish of Fireplace Canyon Street. The street is well reached, and you’re taking a proper onto Fireplace Canyon Street after turning off the freeway down Mouse’s Tank Street.
Greatest Viewpoints within the Valley of Fireplace State Park
If you wish to go to Valley of Fireplace State Park, you don’t have to seize your mountain climbing boots in the event you don’t wish to. This part covers all the very best viewpoints within the park.
You possibly can simply drive to those points of interest and they’re reachable from the roadside. It’s secure to say that you simply gained’t be lacking out, and none of those choices contain strolling additional than 500 ft.
16. Atlatl Rock
Prepared for some historical past? Atlatl Rock is an enormous sandstone rock coated in historical petroglyphs. Atlatl Rock is accessed by a brief path solely round 250 ft lengthy, and that primarily consists of metallic steps.
To assist guests see all of the Atlatl Rock petroglyphs, an extra metallic staircase has been constructed into the aspect of the rock face. You possibly can climb the ultimate set of stairs to achieve a viewpoint the place you will get near all of the etchings.
The viewing space is a pleasant contact and useful for these with restricted eyesight. Atlatl Rock is our high advice if you would like a rewarding viewpoint within the Valley of Fireplace. It’s conveniently situated off the Valley of Fireplace Freeway on the smaller Campground Street.
17. Fireplace Cave
Fireplace Cave is only a brief drive from Atlatl Rock, and you could want to go to them each concurrently. Fireplace Cave is an immersive, photogenic, and thrilling attraction. Situated simply subsequent to the street, it’s a handy place to rapidly go to a pure attraction.
Fireplace Cave is often known as Windstone Arch, however it’s positively completely different from the opposite arches that you simply’ll see within the Valley of Fireplace. The arch is within the cave, hidden from sight from the street. You’ll want to move alongside Campground Street with sharp eyes and particular directions to seek out this particular viewpoint.
Slightly than having a proper viewing space, guests can enter the Fireplace Cave itself. Discover the little entrance gap and marvel on the brilliant orange, curving cave partitions up shut.
18. Seven Sisters
You need to embody the Seven Sisters in your itinerary while you go to Valley of Fireplace State Park. The seven sandstone rock formations are spectacular rock towers, left standing alone following tens of millions of years of abrasion. The surroundings is otherworldly, and also you’ll really feel such as you’ve leaped straight into a movie set.
The Seven Sisters are a implausible roadside attraction. You possibly can attain the rocks in seconds, so it’s good for individuals who don’t wish to hike within the Valley of Fireplace. You’ll see the Seven Sisters simply after passing the turn-off for Mouse’s Tank Street.
Valley of Fireplace Widespread FAQs
Now that we’ve coated the very best issues to do within the Valley of Fireplace let’s take a fast take a look at some widespread FAQs.
Learn how to get to the Valley of Fireplace State Park
The best technique to attain the Valley of Fireplace is by flying into Las Vegas and renting a automobile. You possibly can fly immediately into town from most worldwide departure cities and simply take an inside flight from completely different US states. From town middle, simply drive north for thirty minutes, turning onto the Valley of Fireplace Scenic Byway to enter the park. The spherical journey ought to take lower than two hours, though you must permit a full day (or a number of days if you wish to camp) to discover the park.
Alternatively, you may fly into Las Vegas and guide one of many many Valley of Fireplace excursions. A Valley of Fireplace day journey tour contains transfers and is an effective possibility for individuals who can’t drive or don’t wish to fear about navigating their technique to the Valley of Fireplace.
Lastly, you may take a street journey to the Valley of Fireplace. By far essentially the most adventurous possibility, street tripping to the Valley of Fireplace is greatest suited to these with the freest time.For extra inspiration, you may take a look at our guides on the very best US street journeys right here.
Learn how to Go to as a Day Journey from Las Vegas
Probably the most widespread Las Vegas actions is visiting the Valley of Fireplace as a day journey. If you would like issues to do exterior the Las Vegas strip (which now we have a whole information on right here), escaping town’s chaos for a day is a refreshing addition to your itinerary. Because you’ll doubtless fly into Las Vegas to go to the state park, why not mix the 2? A Valley of Fireplace day journey, right here you come.
It’s a 1.5-hour spherical journey to the Valley of Fireplace from Las Vegas metropolis middle, taking forty minutes every method. You possibly can simply lease a automobile in Las Vegas, and we suggest renting a automobile so you may discover the park independently and at leisure. You’ll have extra selection about the place and the way lengthy you may cease, plus a better sense of freedom and journey.
After all, you may additionally guide one of many park excursions in the event you don’t fancy driving. The excursions go away from Las Vegas and sometimes supply lodge pick-up companies, which is good if you would like the final word comfort. You’ll have a set route, so that you gained’t have to plan an itinerary both – good if you’re taking a last-minute journey or simply dislike planning journeys.
Getting Across the Valley of Fireplace State Park
Sorry public transport lovers, to get across the Valley of Fireplace, you will have a automobile or coach. As we’ve coated above, your two choices are to lease a automobile or guide a tour from Las Vegas. You gained’t be capable of discover on foot, and there are positively no buses or trains operating across the Valley of Fireplace.
Fortunately navigating your method across the park is simple. Google Maps is sweet to have on standby, however you shouldn’t want it as there may be one simply most important street that runs by the entire park. It’s price mentioning that you must obtain a map of the park, although, as cell service could be patchy.
You possibly can verify the official web sites for street closures, particular entrance charges, and climate warnings.
Greatest Time to Go to the Valley of Fireplace State Park
Earlier than we get to the very best time to go to the Valley of Fireplace, let’s simply say keep away from visiting in the summertime months. The Valley of Fireplace is within the desert, and in the summertime months, the warmth turns into insufferable and generally harmful. Belief us after we say mountain climbing and even driving by the Valley of Fireplace in summer time is disagreeable.
Equally, you’ll discover a tenting restrict at most group campsites in spring and fall. Throughout these durations, the park is far busier, and you’ll discover extra crowds at every attraction and booked-out campsites. This could possibly be a optimistic if you’re a solo feminine traveler on the lookout for security in numbers, however in the event you don’t desire a crowd, skip spring and fall.
So, when is the very best time to go to? Winter. In December and January, the typical temperature is 14 levels Celsius – ultimate for mountain climbing and lengthy, enjoyable drives. And if that sounds a bit too chilly, simply plan a visit in November when the temperatures are a median of 19 levels Celsius. Winter has the best temperatures and barely any crowds, which is a win-win in the event you ask us.
Remaining ideas
The Valley of Fireplace is an thrilling Nevada State Park and probably the greatest locations to go to within the US. Whether or not you’re taking a tour from Las Vegas, camp for a weekend, or lease a automobile to drive your self for the day, you’ll have reminiscences to final a lifetime.
There are infinite issues to do within the Valley of Fireplace, and these eighteen are simply the very best of a implausible bunch of choices. We hope you will have an exquisite time visiting the Valley of Fireplace.
