Valley of Fire adds color to Nevada landscape
With jagged limestone mounds of fiery scarlet, vermilion and mauve rising out of the Mojave Desert, Valley of Fire State Park could have inspired fantastical artwork of a Martian landscape.
But the 56.000-acre attraction only looks like something out of this world. It's really just over 55 miles northeast of Las Vegas via Interstate 15.
Dedicated in 1935 as Nevada’s first state park, the Valley of Fire takes its name from its distinctive coloration. The red sandstone formations that make up this surreal scene were formed by great sand dunes during the Jurassic period. Complex uplifting and faulting in the region, followed by 100 million years of erosion, have carved this 6-mile-long and 4-mile-wide crimson-hued valley in the desert.
In the process, water and wind have shaped the land into arches, domes, spirals and serrated ridges. Many of the area’s rock formations have been weathered into unusual shapes resembling elephants, beehives, ducks, cobras and even people, pianos and more.
Valley of Fire is famous for its petroglyphs — ancient rock art — left behind by the prehistoric Basketmaker people and Anasazi farmers believed to be North America’s earliest inhabitants. They lived along the Muddy River between 300 BC and AD 1150.
At Petroglyph Canyon and Atlatl Rock, visitors can see the rock art up close The latter is on the west end of the park – a steep metal staircase climbs up to the Atlatl Rcok, where you’ll find a rare petroglyph of an atlatl, a notched stick used to throw primitive spears.
Another point of interest is Mouse’s Tank, named for a local Native American who hid from the law there at the turn of the century. The large rock catchment, or tank, at the trail’s end, catches and preserves rainwater, providing an oasis for wildlife. Interesting rock formations in that area include the Beehives, Seven Sisters and White Domes.
Besides sightseeing, hiking, rock hunting, camping and picnicking, there are other things to enjoy here. It’s a good idea to stop at the visitor center before exploring the area. There you can pick up maps, trail guides and books and learn about the ecology, geography and history of the region.
There is also a desert tortoise habitat where you can see the endangered animals at close range. The driving tour through the valley takes about 15-20 minutes — longer if you get out of the car to see some of the fascinating sites along the way.
You’ll definitely want to bring a camera. If you can, catch this otherworldly natural site at sunrise or sunset, when the light is especially spectacular. A word to the wise, however — If you can’t take the heat, stay out of the Fire in summer. The best times to visit are September to June.
- by Bobbie Katz, Las Vegas Reporter for HelloMetro
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