You can explore Valley of Fire State Park in a day. Leave Las Vegas as early as possible, and bring snacks, a pack-out lunch, and plenty of water. You’ll enter the state park via the West Entrance, and your first stop will be the Beehives, where you can climb and hike around these awe-inspiring rock formations.

Then make your way to the visitor center and do the short hike to Balancing Rock. Next, drive Mouse’s Tank Road. Stop at the Rainbow Vista parking lot for stunning views of the scenic drive.

After this, detour down Fire Canyon Road to Fire Canyon Overlook. Then head to the Fire Wave/Seven Wonders parking lot. This hike is a moderately challenging 3.2-mile loop. So you might need to eat your lunch before you start hiking or bring it with you.

Next, head back to the visitor center and turn onto Valley of Fire Road headed towards the East Entrance. Lone rock and its lone picnic table are a fun photo, then park at Elephant Rock.

I highly recommend doing the entire Elephant Rock Loop (1.25 miles, easy, takes about an hour). But if you’re getting tired, you can just make the short walk from the parking lot to Elephant Rock. Then head back to Las Vegas or your next destination!

Yes!

Know Before You Go:

1. The entrance fee for Valley of Fire is $15/car for non-Nevada vehicles and $10/car for in-state vehicles.

2. There are two campgrounds inside the park with 72 sites. Campsites have shaded tables, grills, water, and restrooms. A dump station and showers are also available. All campsites are first-come, first-served, and there’s a camping limit of 14 days in a 30-day period.

3. There are bathrooms in many of the parking lots, but water is only available at the visitor center.

4. There is no food available in the park, so you’ll need to pack out all your meals and always have snacks with you.

5. There is little to no cell service inside the park.

6. Don’t take an Uber or Lyft here. You could get stranded in the park because it’s almost always impossible to get a return ride from Valley of Fire.

7. Pets are allowed everywhere in the park (except inside the visitor center) as long as they’re kept on a leash no more than six feet long.

8. There is no gas inside the park, so make sure you have a full tank before getting to the park entrance.

Valley of Fire is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. After sunset, you must leave or stay at one of the two campsites inside the park. The visitor center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Fall and Spring are the best times to visit. Daytime temperatures will be pleasant, and the crowds will be fewer than in the summer and winter months.

Winter temperatures are mild during the day, but they can get to freezing at night, so bring layers. High winds are common in December, January, and February, so hike with caution and always have appropriate clothes, footwear, and plenty of water.

Summer is the busiest season for families. So to avoid some of the crowds, go on weekdays. Daytime temperatures in June, July, and August are hot (averaging in the 100s), and there’s little to no shade on the trails. So start early in the morning and always have more water than you think you’ll need, a hat, and sunscreen.

The Fire Wave/Seven Wonders hike is closed from June 1 to September 30 because of dangerously high temperatures.

Yes! You’ll want to drive the Valley of Fire State Park Scenic Byway and Mouse’s Tank Road.