| Valley of Fire State Park | |
| Nevada State Park | |
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Valley of Fire State Park
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| Country | United States |
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| State | Nevada |
| County | Clark |
| Location | Overton |
| - elevation | 2,464 ft (751 m) [1] |
| - coordinates | |
| Area | 34,880 acres (14,115 ha) |
| Founded | 1935 |
| Management | Nevada Division of State Parks |
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Location of Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada
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| Reference #: | 150 |
Valley of Fire State Park is the oldest state park in Nevada, USA. It covers an area of 34,880 acres (14,120 ha) and was dedicated in 1935. It derives its name from red sandstone formations, formed from great shifting sand dunes during the age of dinosaurs. These features, which are the centerpiece of the park's attractions, often appear to be on fire when reflecting the sun's rays.
Valley of Fire is located 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Las Vegas, at an elevation between 2,000–2,600 feet (610–790 m). It abuts the Lake Mead National Recreation Area at the Virgin River confluence. It lies in a 4 by 6 mi (6.4 by 9.7 km) basin.
Complex uplifting and faulting of the region, followed by extensive erosion, have created the present landscape. The rough floor and jagged walls of the park contain brilliant formations of eroded sandstone and sand dunes more than 150 million years old. Other important rock formations include limestones, shales, and conglomerates.
The park entry from Interstate 15 passes through the Moapa Indian Reservation. The park has a visitor center that should be visited by anyone planning any off-road activities.
The site is marked as Nevada Historical Marker #150.
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Prehistoric users of the Valley of Fire included the Ancient Pueblo Peoples, also known as the Anasazi, who were farmers from the nearby fertile Moapa Valley. Their approximate span of occupation has been dated from 300 BC to 1150 AD. Their visits probably involved hunting, food gathering, and religious ceremonies, although scarcity of water would have limited their stay. Fine examples of rock art left by these ancient peoples can be found at several sites within the park.
Winters are mild with temperatures ranging from 32 °F (0 °C) to 75 °F (24 °C). Daily summer highs usually exceed 100 °F (38 °C) and may reach 120 °F (49 °C). Summer temperatures can vary widely from day to night. Light winter showers and summer thunderstorms bring an average annual rainfall of 4 inches (100 mm).
Spring and fall are the preferred seasons for visiting the Valley of Fire.
Valley of Fire Road is the main road through the park. The 10.5 mi (16.9 km) road connects the east and west entrances of the park. It was designated as a Nevada Scenic Byway on June 30, 1995.[2]
Although petroglyphs are present throughout the entire park, Mouse's Tank and Atlatl Rock are two areas in particular which have many petroglyphs while being relatively easily accessible.
The park also features three cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, which were once used by overnight campers (now prohibited).
Valley of Fire is a popular location to shoot automobile commercials and other commercial photography. The park is a popular getaway for locals and visitors alike. The park provides facilities for picnicking, camping, and hiking.