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If you find the lights and noise of Las Vegas a bit overwhelming after a couple of days, explore the Valley of Fire State Park. Located six miles from Lake Mead and 55 miles NE of Las Vegas, the Valley of Fire is Nevada's oldest and biggest state park. With 42,000 acres of diverse vegetation and wildlife, rock outcroppings, 3,000 year-old petroglyphs and petrified wood, the Valley of Fire can be as interesting as the Vegas Strip.

The Valley of Fire is a popular destination for many visitors. Groups of school children; special interest organizations; campers; hikers; geology students; area residents and tourists all head to the Valley of Fire for both its breathtaking beauty and rich history. The park is open 24/7 and offers a full-scale visitor center (open daily until 4:30 PM) with lots of interesting and interpretative displays. It also has 72 designated camping, spaces, 3 large group areas and a plethora of hiking trails.

As with any "go to" natural destination, your visit can be more enjoyable by having a fundamental understanding of the location's history and highlights.

Shifting Dunes Create Rock Formations

The stunning red rock formations that give this area its name were formed more than 150 million years ago when dinosaurs still roamed the land. Major geographic shifting and erosion from wind and water turned the rock into the beautiful sculptures you see today. Ancient native drawings, known as petroglyphs, are abundant throughout the park and tell the story of what life was like long before the modern history of man. Some of the most unique rock formations include:

• Beehives – layered sandstone mounds that look like their namesake.
• Petrified Logs – very colorful fossils that are close to the road, but fenced off to keep away vandals and souvenir hunters.
• Seven Sisters – a grouping of seven large boulders surrounded by sand that is a good picnicking spot.
• Elephant Rock – located close to the east entrance of the park and is one of the most photographed rock formations in the park due to its resemblance to the large animal.

Petroglyphs Span 1,500 Years

Originally occupied by the Basket Maker people and Anasazi Pueblo farmers from around 300 BC to 1150 AD, the Valley of Fire rock formations offered protection from the weather as well as a primitive form of lodging. The petroglyphs tell the story of life during that time, including hunting expeditions, food gathering, and some detail regarding religious ceremonies. Some tools and weapons are also identifiable in the ancient drawings.Two main areas for petroglyphs, Mouses's Tank and Atlatl Rock, are easily accessible and perfect for capturing a photographic record of your trip. Most rock formations are open to the public to climb on throughout the year, with a few well-marked exceptions. Named after a renegade Indian outlaw who hid there in the 1890s, "Mouse's Tank" is one of the few rock formations that you cannot climb. It's part of a sandy-trail loop that features the best examples of petroglyphs.

There's a lot of flora

Although at first glance it may seem desolate and void of any plants, the Valley of Fire is home to a variety of life! A discerning eye will note the huge variety plants, including Beavertail cactus, Creosote bush, Burro bush, Brittlebush and Cholla cactus. In the spring, you'll see a lot of flora along the park roads, including the desert mallow, the desert marigold and the indigo bush. The desert comes alive in the spring and is the optimum time to visit the park due to the favorable weather and volume of wildflowers in bloom.

All the flowers and plants in the park are steadfastly protected by Nevada state law and may not be removed or tampered with in any way.

There's a lot of fauna

Wildlife abounds in the Valley of Fire. While many migrating birds pass through the area en route to their seasonal destinations. The Valley of Fire is home to many birds including:

• The Red-tailed Hawk
• The Raven
• The House Finch
• The Sage Sparrow
• Gambel's Quail
• The beloved Southwestern Roadrunner

With temperatures often soaring off the charts in the hotter months, it's no surprise most of the desert critters at the park are nocturnal. What you may not be aware of, however, is the diversity of wildlife found here, including:

• Bighorn sheep
• Lizards
• Snakes
• Coyotes
• Kit Fox
• Spotted Skunk
• Black-tailed Jackrabbit
• Antelope Ground Squirrels

Even more of a wondrous (and rare) creature to behold is the desert tortoise. Like the vegetation at the Valley of Fire, all animals, artifacts, petrified wood, minerals, and rocks are protected by law.

Plus, there’s a lot of movies and shows featuring this beautiful state park.

For decades, the Valley of Fire has been the selected setting for many movies, creative projects, and TV shows, including:

• The Professionals (Movie)
• Total Recall
• Star Trek Generations (Movie)
• Transformers (Movie)
• Airwolf (TV Show)
• Criss Angel Mindfreak (TV Special)
• Need for Speed: The Run (Video Game)
• Ride by Lana Del Rey (Music Video)

BONUS FACT – You can get married there!

Maverick Helicopters offers Valley of Fire Wedding packages that put you right in the middle of the bright red Aztec sandstone. Exchange your vows surrounded by the natural beauty of the Valley of Fire and then conclude your wedding day with a breathtaking flight where you’ll enjoy views of the Las Vegas Strip and Downtown Las Vegas.