Beginner’s Guide to Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
A Quick Stop in Nevada’s Oldest State Park
After leaving Kanarraville (see our last blog), we made the drive south to Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada. It felt like a long drive that night, but once we arrived, we knew it was worth it. We made it into the park just in time for sunset and quickly set up camp at Arch Rock Campground.
This ended up being Aspen’s favourite campground of the trip—she loved climbing the red sandstone formations right next to our trailer, making it an instant hit for her!
Mouses’s Tank Road, Valley of Fire State Park
Sunrise at Mouse’s Tank Road
We woke up early, packed up camp, and parked the trailer at the Visitor Centre before setting off to explore. Our first stop was the famous Mouse’s Tank Road viewpoint, where we snapped some photos of the winding road lit up by the sunrise. If you’re visiting, sunrise is the best time to capture this iconic view—the soft morning light makes the red rock glow.
After taking in the views, we hiked Fire Canyon Trail before the heat of the day set in.
📍 Fire Canyon Trail Stats:
Distance: 1.6 km (1 mile) return
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy
Trailhead: Near the Visitor Centre
This short hike took us through dramatic rock formations, with deep red and orange hues that made the early start totally worth it.
Fire Canyon, Valley of Fire State Park
Exploring Valley of Fire’s Scenic Roads
After our morning hike, we drove the full length of Mouse’s Tank Road, stopping at several roadside viewpoints to take in the incredible sandstone formations. We also made a detour onto Fire Canyon Road, which led us to even more stunning rock features.
One of the highlights of Valley of Fire is that even if you’re short on time, you can still see a lot just by driving through the park.
Valley of Fire State Park
What’s on Our List for Next Time?
Our visit to Valley of Fire was short, but we already have plans to return!
Next time, we’d love to hike the Fire Wave Trail, one of the most famous hikes in the park, known for its striped sandstone formations that look like a painted wave.
📍 Fire Wave Trail Stats:
Distance: 2.4 km (1.5 miles) return
Elevation Gain: 30 m (98 ft)
Difficulty: Easy
Trailhead: Near Parking Lot #3 on Mouse’s Tank Road
If you’re planning a trip, be sure to hike this trail early in the morning or later in the evening—there’s no shade, and the heat can be intense!
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