The Valley of Fire State Park is known for it's bright red Aztec sandstone outcrops combined with gray and tan limestone. When the light is right the valley can appear to be "on fire". There are also ancient petrified trees and petroglyphs dating back 2000 years or more. It's Visitor Center houses exhibits on the geology, ecology and history of the park and area. Open year around the park offers two campgrounds(Atlatl Campground and Arch Rock Campground) with shaded tables, grills, water and many trails to explore this amazing area.
We entered the park from the eastern entrance.
There is a pay station for the $10 per vehicle fee.
We found this sign outlining the park fees.
We stopped at the visitor center in hopes of buying a tee-shirt but the store was closed due to a computer system upgrade. The exhibits on the geology, ecology and history were still accessible.
Valley of Fire is Nevada's oldest state park.
John J. Clark was born in Canada in 1844. He enlisted as a private in Company F of the New York Infantry in 1862, serving actively in the Civil War. After being shot in the hand and contracting typhoid fever, he was honorably discharged on 6 March, 1863 as a sergeant in Company B of the New York Calvary. Following his discharge, Sargeant Clark emigrated to Southern California. While traveling from Bakersfield to Salt Lake City on a Buckboard(a light, four-wheeled carriage), he stopped in Valley of Fire, tied his horse to the back of the wagon and wandered around, possibly looking for water. Eventually, he crawled under his buckboard and died, presumably from thrist, several days before his body was found on 30 June, 1915.
One of the attractions is a hiking trail to Mouse's Tank. It is about 3/8 mile to the tank, a shaded stone basin which would catch and hold rain runoff sometimes for several weeks.
You will find several locations in the park with vault style out house.
A hiker examines the petroglyphs found on the walls of this canyon.
This photo does not show the true size of this outcrop.
A small example of the petroglyphs.
Beautiful bright red Aztec sandstone canyon.
The tank was empty and is hard to see in the dark shade it hides in.
Fire Canyon
This photo was taken from a veiw point and is one place I would like to walk back into. But if you chose to do any hiking make sure you carry plenty of water since you won't find any.
Farther up the road we found this rest area at White Dome.
I hiked this 1.25 mile loop and have a few pictures from that loop.
They made a western movie back in here.
The narrow canyons are awesome.
It looks like an elephant to me.
You will find Aztec sandstone mixed with gray and tan limestone along the trail here.
As I researched the park I was amazed at how many times a photo from this location came up.
If you are really into petroglyph Atlatl Rock is the place to visit.
The parking area for Atlatl Rock.
The Beehives.
A desert view.
One of the several picnic areas is at the Seven Sisters.
These cabins were built by the Civilian Conservation Corp in the 1930s and served as shelter for travelers on the Arrowhead Trail.
A lonely desert sheep grazing near the entrance to the park.
