15 Best Things to do in the Valley of Fire, Nevada

So far, we have visited the Valley of Fire twice, first in 2017 and more recently in 2022. On our first visit, Tim and I were totally amazed at the landscapes here…they look like nothing you will see on the drive from Las Vegas. Our second visit was just as good, if not better, as we got to revisit some favorite spots and discover some new ones.

The Valley of Fire is our favorite day trip from Las Vegas. If you are looking for an escape from the neon lights and crowds on the Strip, venture out to this wonderful state park…and don’t forget your hiking shoes and your camera.

What is the Valley of Fire?

The Valley of Fire is Nevada’s oldest and largest state park. This park is located 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. Its 40,000+ acres are filled with red rock formations made from Aztec sandstone. On a sunny day, these rock formations look like they are on fire, giving the park its name, the Valley of Fire.

Several movies were filmed here, including Total Recall, Viva Las Vegas, The Professionals, and Star Trek Generations.

A visit to the Valley of Fire can last just an hour or two (if you drive through the park, only stopping at scenic overlooks and hiking one or two short trails) or all day, if you choose to explore every nook and cranny of this place.

There are two main roads in the Valley of Fire State Park.

The Valley of Fire Highway runs west to east across the southern part of the park. Both entrances into this park are located on this road (the west entrance and the east entrance). Sights along the Valley of Fire Highway include Atlatl Rock, the Beehives, Elephant Rock, and Seven Sisters.

Mouse’s Tank Road (the state park brochure calls this road “White Domes Road” and Google has this road labeled as “Mouse’s Tank Road”) heads north into the heart of the park. Driving this road, and seeing the sights here, is one of the best state park experiences we have had in the United States. The drive is gorgeous and the hiking trails that start along this road are short and sweet and tons of fun. When we visit the Valley of Fire, we spend most of our time along this road.

The visitor center is located next to the intersection of the Valley of Fire Highway and Mouse’s Tank Road.

Best Things to do in the Valley of Fire

Here is a map of the best things to do in the Valley of Fire, with hiking trailheads and photography locations.

#1 Enjoy the Landscapes

One of the best things about the Valley of Fire State Park is that you don’t have to be a hiker to enjoy it. Many of the most beautiful sights in the park can be seen right from the roads.

Mouse’s Tank Road | Best Things to Do in the Valley of Fire

Bighorn Sheep on Mouse’s Tank Road | Best Things to Do in the Valley of Fire

Driving through the Valley of Fire is the easiest way to enjoy the view. Pink, red, and orange sandstone rocks create amazing vistas that you can see from your car.

#2 The Beehives

These strange looking sandstone formations can be seen in just a few minutes. Get out of your car, take some photos, or climb up to the top of the highest dome for great views over the park.

The Beehives | Best Things to Do in the Valley of Fire

#3 Atlatl Rock

Climb the staircase at Atlatl Rock to see the best display of petroglyphs in the Valley of Fire.

Atlatl Rock | Best Things to Do in the Valley of Fire

#4 Arch Rock

This large arch in the sandstone can be seen from the Scenic Loop Road near Atlatl Rock.

#5 Fire Cave

Also located on the Scenic Loop Road is the Fire Cave, also called Windstone Arch, another arch that may be worth making the short hike to if you like caves and getting a bit off-the-beaten-path.

Edwin Verin/shutterstock.com

#6 Seven Sisters

Located on the Valley of Fire Highway, this is a quick stop to see a cluster of seven sandstone rock formations.

#7 Elephant Rock

Located next to the east entrance, this arch rock formation resembles an elephant, with a little bit of imagination.

It is a 0.2-mile out-and-back walk to get to Elephant Rock from the parking lot or you can hike the 1.25 mile loop.

Bill45/shutterstock.com

#8 Mouse’s Tank

Distance: 0.75 miles out-and-back | Difficulty: Easy | Time: 30 minutes

The hike to Mouse’s Tank is relatively short (only .75 miles round trip), ending at a natural rock basin where water collects after rainfall. This is an easy but unexciting hike and along the way you can spot petroglyphs on the rocks. If you are short on time, I’d skip this hike and save your time for some of the better trails in the park.

#9 Rainbow Vista

Distance: 1 mile out-and-back | Difficulty: Easy | Time: 30 to 60 minutes

This hike is more worthwhile than Mouse’s Tank. Only 1 mile round trip, this hike ends with a climb up onto a large hill for a panoramic view over the Valley of Fire.

Rainbow Vista | Best Things to Do in the Valley of Fire

#10 Viewpoint of Mouse’s Tank Road

This view of Mouse’s Tank Road is one of the most photographed spots in the Valley of Fire.

The first time we were here, we didn’t know about this viewpoint. On our most recent visit, Tim and I spent some time trying to find the exact location. We found several places to get a great view of Mouse’s Tank Road.

For the view in the photo above, you will park in a pull out and climb on top of a rock. To get to this pull out from the Rainbow Vista parking lot, drive south on Mouse’s Tank Road (like you are heading out of the park). The road will go downhill and bend to the right. Park in the pullout on the right side of the road and climb the rock for the view.

Below is a photo of parking location and the rock. The GPS coordinates of the parking area are 36°26’56.2″N 114°30’56.3″W.

You can also get a great view of Mouse’s Tank Road near the parking lot for Rainbow Vista. From the Rainbow Vista parking lot, cross the street and hike up onto the rocks for this view:

Mouse’s Tank Road | Best Things to Do in the Valley of Fire

#11 Pink Canyon

Pink Canyon, also called Pastel Canyon, is one of the prettiest places we saw in the Valley of Fire. Parking is limited to only one or two cars (GPS coordinates: 36°28’47” N 114°31’36” W). From the parking spot, head east into the canyon.

Pink Canyon can be combined with the Fire Wave into a big loop hike called the Seven Wonders. Keep reading for more information on how to do this.

Pink Canyon | Best Things to Do in the Valley of Fire

It only takes about 10 minutes to walk through this short, shallow canyon, and with its pink scalloped walls it’s a beauty.

#12 The Fire Wave

Distance: 1.5 mile out-and-back | Difficulty: Easy to moderate | Time: 30 to 60 minutes

This is one of the most gorgeous spots in the Valley of Fire. White and red zebra print sandstone creates a great photo opportunity. It’s a 1.5-mile round trip hike out to the Fire Wave.

On our second visit to the Valley of Fire, we arrived at the park a few hours before sunset. By the time we made it to the Fire Wave, most people were leaving, so we had it all to ourselves. If you want to visit the Valley of Fire with low crowds, plan your visit for the beginning or the end of the day.

#13 Seven Wonders Loop

Distance: 1.8 miles | Difficulty: Moderate | Time: 1 to 2 hours

This 1.8-mile loop combines some of the best scenery in the Valley of Fire into one hike. Hike the Fire Wave, walk through the Pink Canyon, and explore the pastel landscapes in this part of the park.

To do this hike, the best place to park is the parking lot for the Fire Wave. There are two parking lots here, one on either side of the road. I recommend parking in the one on the west side (the left side as you drive north on Mouse’s Tank Road). From this lot, you can also hike up to the viewpoint that I mention next.

You can hike the loop in either direction. I recommend doing this in a clockwise direction so you see the Fire Wave first. It’s so neat to hike down into the Fire Wave and see the surrounding vistas of yellow, orange, and pink colored rocks.

After visiting the Fire Wave, continue to the Pink Canyon. Cross the road and then you will head back to the parking lot, hiking through a beautiful landscape of pink, yellow, and coral sandstone. It is a beautiful hike!

Seven Wonders Trail | Best Things to Do in the Valley of Fire

#14 Viewpoint of White Domes

For a great view over White Domes and a panoramic view across the park, we have another short hike to recommend.

From the Fire Wave parking lot (on the west side of Mouse’s Tank Road), there is a trail that starts on the north side of the parking lot. It heads uphill to a viewpoint on top of a large hill.

To do this, it’s about 0.3 miles out-and-back and takes 30 minutes. Here is the view:

White Domes Viewpoint | Best Things to Do in the Valley of Fire

#15 White Domes Trail

Distance: 1.25 mile loop | Difficulty: Moderate | Time: 1 to 2 hours

This 1.25-mile loop hike is our favorite hike in the Valley of Fire. It’s also the most challenging, with a descent at the beginning and then a climb back up to the parking lot at the end. Even so, it’s not difficult, and it’s a great place to bring kids to let them climb over boulders on the trail. You even get to walk through a narrow slot canyon.

The easiest way to do this hike is to go clockwise, starting and ending in the car park. By doing it this way, you walk down the relatively steep, rocky path and later walk up a more gentle incline on a singletrack trail.

Top 5 Favorite Experiences

If you are short on time and want to see the best of the Valley of Fire, here are our five favorite spots:

• Fire Wave: This 1.5 mile hike takes you out to one of the most photogenic parts of the Valley of Fire.
• Mouse’s Tank Road: The main road through the park. There’s an amazing view around every turn.
• Pink Canyon (Pastel Canyon): A short but very pretty walk through a pastel pink slot canyon.
• The Beehives:  Scramble up to the top of the Beehives for a panoramic view over the Valley of Fire.
• White Domes Hike:  Another short hike that’s fun for all ages. 

Mouse’s Tank Road | Best Things to Do in the Valley of Fire

Getting Here

The Valley of Fire is located 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas. It takes roughly one hour to drive here. Most of the drive is on Interstate 15, a wide highway. Once you turn onto the Valley of Fire Highway, it becomes a two-lane road through a desert landscape.

If you don’t have plans to rent a car during your visit, there are numerous day trip tours to choose from, like this private tour from Las Vegas or this guided hiking tour from Las Vegas.

When to Visit the Valley of Fire

Spring and fall are the best seasons to visit the Valley of Fire. During this time, temperatures are mild and the days are relatively long.

Winter is also a great time to visit the Valley of Fire. Temperatures are cool but rarely get below freezing. However, the days are short so you will have limited daylight.

Summer is the worst time to visit. The Valley of Fire will be hot (high temperatures can reach 120°F), and during these months, both the Fire Wave and the Seven Wonders hike will close during high temperatures.

We visited the Valley of Fire in December and February. During both visits, the high temperature was in the upper 60’s.

Seven Wonders Hike | Best Things to Do in the Valley of Fire

How Much Time Do You Need in the Valley of Fire?

Plan on spending at least half a of a day here, although even more time is better.

With half of a day, you can do everything on our Top 5 list: visit the Beehives, take your photos of Mouse’s Tank Road as you drive through the park, visit the Pink Canyon and hike the Fire Wave (consider hiking the full loop) and end at White Domes.

With more time, you can add on Rainbow Vista, Elephant Rock, Atlatl, and the Fire Cave.

Valley of Fire Day Trip from Las Vegas

The Valley of Fire makes a great day trip from Las Vegas. Here’s how to do it.

Start early. The Valley of Fire is the least crowded early in the morning. It might be a bit tough to get here at sunrise, but if you did, I imagine you would have some parts of the park all to yourself. I recommend getting here by the more reasonable hour of 8 am, but that means that you will have to leave Las Vegas no later than 7 am.

Here is how to plan your time. Doing it in this order allows you to visit some of the more popular sights early, before they get crowded, leaving the less popular sights for the end of your visit. 

• Enter at the west entrance
• Visit the Beehives
• Drive Mouse’s Tank Road and take lots of photos
• Visit the Pink Canyon
• Hike the Fire Wave (1.5 miles out-and-back). Consider hiking the entire Seven Wonders Loop, since it is only 0.3 miles longer and includes the Pink Canyon.
• Optional: Hike up to the viewpoint over White Domes
• White Domes Hike
• As you drive back down Mouse’s Tank Road, you have the option to hike Rainbow Vista and/or Mouse’s Tank.
• Optional: Elephant Rock
• Atlatl Rock
• Optional: Fire Cave
• Return to Las Vegas

There are no restaurants in the Valley of Fire State Park. Pack a picnic lunch if you plan to stay here for more than half of a day.

Fire Wave | Best Things to Do in the Valley of Fire

Important Information about the Valley of Fire

To enter the park, it costs $10 per vehicle for in-state residents and $15 per vehicle for out-of-state residents, which you will pay at the fee booth before entering. You will be given a map of the park with suggested spots to visit. 

If you plan to camp at the Valley of Fire, the cost is $20 per night ($25 for out of state residents).

The Valley of Fire is open year round from sunrise to sunset. The visitor center is open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. 

For more information, visit the official Valley of Fire website.

Tours of the Valley of Fire

If you have any questions about the best things to do in the Valley of Fire, or if you would like to share your experience, let us know in the comment section below.

More Information for Your Trip to Las Vegas:

• LAS VEGAS: Best of Las Vegas: Things to Do, Day Trip Ideas & Sample Itineraries
• LAS VEGAS:  15 Things to do in Las Vegas with Teenagers
• SLOT CANYONS:  10 Amazing Slot Canyons to Explore in the American Southwest
• DEATH VALLEY:  2 Amazing Days in Death Valley: Our Itinerary from Las Vegas
• RED ROCK CANYON:  Two Fun, Short Hikes to do in Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas
• ROAD TRIP IDEA:  10 Days in the American Southwest: The Ultimate Road Trip

You Might Also Like:

• UTAH:  Utah’s Mighty 5: Travel Guide and Road Trip Itinerary
• CALIFORNIA:  Yosemite for First-Timers: Best Hikes, Best Views & the Best Things To Do
• WYOMING: Grand Teton, Yellowstone & Glacier National Parks: 10 Day Road Trip Itinerary
• ARIZONA:  16 Amazing Viewpoints on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon
• ARIZONA:  The Ultimate Guide to Monument Valley for First-Time Visitors