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All the United States Nevada Clark County Valley of Fire

Valley of Fire

The drama of nature in full effect in this Nevada State Park.

Clark County, Nevada

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david pollard
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The gorgeous formations at Valley of Fire State Park.   Clément Bardot
A fascinating rock formation in Valley of Fire.   John Fowler
  jyackabonis / Atlas Obscura User
Make big horn sleep, right at the trailhead   jyackabonis / Atlas Obscura User
  Lampshade1660 / Atlas Obscura User
  sydneyliv / Atlas Obscura User
Fossil (“petrified”) log, on the Petrified Logs Loop near Atlatl Campground.   slgwv / Atlas Obscura User
Afternoon near the East Entrance leading to Bunkerville   michaelmm / Atlas Obscura User
Shady area in spring with wild flowers, man-made ruin in the background   michaelmm / Atlas Obscura User
Erosin in the rocks in Valley of Fire   michaelmm / Atlas Obscura User
Elephant Rock, Vally of Fire   michaelmm / Atlas Obscura User
Hideout, rock formations, Valley of Fire   michaelmm / Atlas Obscura User
Elephant Rock in the afternoon, Valley of Fire   michaelmm / Atlas Obscura User
Desert Flora, Valley of Fire   michaelmm / Atlas Obscura User
Anasazi rock art, Vally of Fire near the Mouse Tanks   michaelmm / Atlas Obscura User
Historic Stone Housing near the front of the park   michaelmm / Atlas Obscura User
View from within, Valley of Fire   michaelmm / Atlas Obscura User
Valley of Fire Big Horn Sheep   robertsides / Atlas Obscura User
Valley of Fire Big Horn Sheep   robertsides / Atlas Obscura User
Valley of Fire Big Horn Sheep   robertsides / Atlas Obscura User
  averybumbleybee / Atlas Obscura User
Paved two-lane scenic road through the park   TheColorDana / Atlas Obscura User
Wildlife is abundant within the park, a lizard is seen among the red rocks   TheColorDana / Atlas Obscura User
Paved two-lane scenic road into the park   TheColorDana / Atlas Obscura User
  jlord7 / Atlas Obscura User
Petroglyphs at Atlatl Rock   MarilynR / Atlas Obscura User
Valley of fire Panorama   ArgusFoto
Scorpion, deer, and water.   Wiki User: Clément Bardot
  breaingram / Atlas Obscura User
  sydneyliv / Atlas Obscura User
Old camp   Yorkshire / Atlas Obscura User
Coyote   Klara / Atlas Obscura User
Valley of Fire   shannonwitt / Atlas Obscura User
Valley of Fire in the Springtime   michaelmm / Atlas Obscura User
Rock Formations, Valley of Fire   michaelmm / Atlas Obscura User
  jlord7 / Atlas Obscura User
  sydneyliv / Atlas Obscura User
Petroglyph   Yorkshire / Atlas Obscura User
Fire Wave   Dominikus / Atlas Obscura User
Paved two-lane scenic road through the park   TheColorDana / Atlas Obscura User
Petroglyphs   Klara / Atlas Obscura User
  Avoiding Regret
  zackofalltrades
  zackofalltrades
  zackofalltrades
  zackofalltrades
  zackofalltrades
Windstone Arch   John Fowler
Hacienda wall from the movie The Professionals (1966), shot in the White Domes area   Avoiding Regret
  Avoiding Regret
  zackofalltrades
Elephant Rock   DancJen531 / Atlas Obscura User
Arch Rock   DancJen531 / Atlas Obscura User
Balancing Rock   DancJen531 / Atlas Obscura User
Short walking path from Visitor Center to Balancing Rock   DancJen531 / Atlas Obscura User
  stahlhut13 / Atlas Obscura User
  stahlhut13 / Atlas Obscura User
  stahlhut13 / Atlas Obscura User
  stahlhut13 / Atlas Obscura User
  stahlhut13 / Atlas Obscura User
  WhiskeyBristles / Atlas Obscura User
Valley of Fire   droopydogajna / Atlas Obscura User
  Lampshade1660 / Atlas Obscura User
Valley of Fire   droopydogajna / Atlas Obscura User
Petroglyphs   Lampshade1660 / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Dedicated in 1935, Valley of Fire is Nevada’s oldest and largest state park.

Its dramatic name comes from the red sandstone formations that make up this equally dramatic landscape  These features, which are the centerpiece of the park's attractions, often appear to be on fire when reflecting the sun's rays.

Other important rock formations include limestones, shales, and conglomerates. Prehistoric users of the Valley of Fire included the Basket Maker people and later the Anasazi Pueblo farmers from the nearby fertile Moapa Valley.

The span of approximate occupation has been dated from 300 B.C.E. to 1150 C.E. Their visits probably involved hunting, food gathering, and religious ceremonies, although scarcity of water would have limited the length of their stay. Fine examples of rock art left by these ancient peoples can be found at several sites within the park inrock formations that are covered in petroglyphs.

Scratched into the Desert Varnish (theorized to be a wind blown form of organism which adheres in dark, easily abraded layers over the red desert rocks) by the Anasazi who inhabited the Valley of Fire between 300 BC to 1150 AD, petroglyphs can be found in many locations throughout the park, the most accessible of which are at Mouse's Tank and Atlatl Rock. Valley of Fire itself is composed largely of a vibrantly red, iron oxide bearing form of sandstone, contains numerous natural arches and has been a scenic setting for several films and television shows.

Resident birds include the raven, house finch, sage sparrow, and roadrunner. Many migrant birds also pass through the park. Most desert animals are nocturnal and not frequently seen by the passing motorist. Many species of lizards and snakes are common in the park, as well as the coyote, kit fox, desert tortoise, spotted skunk, black tailed jackrabbit, and antelope ground squirrel.

Related Tags

Rocks Geological Oddities Geology Dinosaurs Travelnevada Animals

Know Before You Go

Take I15 north from Las Vegas and exit at Valley of Fire Hwy. It's an approximately one-hour drive from the Strip. There's a $10/vehicle entrance fee.

Community Contributors

Added By

pollardld

Edited By

Rachel, argusfoto, DancJen531, Avoiding Regret...

  • Rachel
  • argusfoto
  • DancJen531
  • Avoiding Regret
  • arteek001
  • WhiskeyBristles
  • robertsides
  • Klara
  • breaingram
  • stahlhut13
  • Lampshade1660
  • Dominikus
  • MarilynR
  • michaelmm
  • averybumbleybee
  • slgwv
  • droopydogajna
  • jyackabonis
  • jlord7
  • Yorkshire
  • TheColorDana
  • shannonwitt
  • sydneyliv

Published

January 5, 2013

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Sources
  • http://parks.nv.gov/parks/valley-of-fire-state-park/
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valley_of_Fire_State_Park
  • http://www.valley-of-fire.com
Valley of Fire
Valley of Fire Highway
Clark County, Nevada, 89040
United States
36.438889, -114.5325
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Nearby Places

Mouse's Tank

Moapa Valley, Nevada

miles away

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Explore the Destination Guide

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