With beautiful vistas and fantastic trails, Valley of Fire was definitely worth the return visit.
The color of the sandstone rocks of Nevada’s Valley of Fire State Park gives the park its name. However, the desert environment does get a bit toasty in the summer months. The first time I visited it was in July, not the best idea on my part. I also overslept and came later in the day than I should have and then I fell on a trail. You would think I wouldn’t want to come back. Nope. I just came back in March instead, when it was a lovely 60-70 degrees. Although my Valley of Fire curse did strike earlier in the day when my car got hit by a chunk of a semi tire on the highway while driving there. I was fine. My car somehow survived. After that bit of delay, I finally made it to Nevada and the Valley of Fire.
The first trail I picked was the Rainbow Vista Trail, a trail I skipped on my first visit due to the heat. It’s a nice, easy trail, with fantastic rock formations.
They are not kidding around with their heat warnings here.
The color here is fantastic.
The trail is a becomes a bit more free range. You just walk along the canyon edge in a big oval.
Some hoodoos are trying to form here.
Some desert landscapes can be colorful just from rocks, sand and a few plants.
The Rainbow Vista. If you look closely, you can see the different colors in the rock, with pink and yellow hues.
A little off the main trail is this wonderful view down a canyon.
Next up was the White Domes Loop, another fantastic trail on the north side of the park.
The trail starts by going down into this awesome canyon.
Eventually the trail leads you to this tiny slot canyon. At the time, everyone was turning around here because there was water at the bottom. I have waterproof hiking shoes, so I figured why not. I still got water in my shoes. Meh.
I’m so glad I went through that slot canyon. There was such an interesting landscape on the other side.
I just love colors of these rocks.
The desert can just be amazing sometimes.
Sherbet rocks!
My last trail was the Fire Wave, a new trail in the park.
The trail leads you around the other side of this ginormous outcrop of rock.
A lovely bighorn sheep that I luckily got to see before a bunch of people scared it away.
The bighorn sheep was probably trying to find some water that was pooled in the area on the rocks from the rain the night before.
The Fire Wave. Pretty cool actually.
Valley of Fire State Park is a great excursion for some nature and hiking from Las Vegas. There are a ton of trails that are in the easy to moderate range and you can do several in one day. There are also a few trails for the more serious hiker. This park is perfect a great, inexpensive day out.
Check out my next update where I explore two more Las Vegas area parks!
or
Check out my first visit to Valley of Fire State Park!
