I set out to systematically explore Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada in 5 or 6 days, given 6 1/2 hours per day (about 6:30am – 1:00pm). Feel free to follow my strategy or mix it up and either accelerate your own discovery to 2 or 3 days or pace it out over 2 weeks or more. My adventures occurred during January and early February.

Here’s how my exploration went:

Day 1

Day #1 Exploration of Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada

• Bee Hives Rock Formations (A quick stop on the main scenic road. Surprise appearance of big horn sheep!).
• Petrified Logs Loop (.3 mile loop with some ancient petrified logs next to the Bee Hives)
• Atlatl Rock (Climb a 4-5 story staircase to view fascinating petroglyphs, just off the scenic loop across from the Petrified Logs loop trail.)
• Pinnacles Loop (a 4.5 mile loop trail next to the Atlatl Rock parking area–I missed the trail and wandered an extra mile or two!)
• Arch Rock (beautiful natural arch next to Atlatl Rock)
• Visitor Center (on the main scenic drive at the beginning of White Dome Road)
• Mouses Tank Trail and Canyon (.7 miles, the greatest concentration of petroglyphs in the State of Nevada. On White Dome Road just beyond the visitor center.)

Total: 5.5 miles (This is a lighter mileage day due to viewing lots of interpretative displays and petroglyphs).

Day 2

Day #2 Exploration of Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

• Balancing Rock (Trail begins at the Visitor Center parking area. Look closely or you’ll miss it!)
• Rainbow Vista Trail (1.0 mile x 2 out and back. Trailhead is just beyond the Mouse’s Tank Trailhead on White Dome Road)
• Fire Canyon (5-6 miles; Descend into the Fire Canyon Overlook at the end of the Rainbow Vista Trail, then exit at Silica Dome.)

Total: 7.1 miles

Day 3

Day #3 Exploration of Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

• Prospect Trail (5.5 miles X 2)
• White Domes Loop (1.0 mile)

Total: 12.0 miles

Day 4

Day #4 Exploration of Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

• Old Arrowhead Trail (6.8 miles x 2)
• Elephant Rock Loop (1 mile)

Total: 17-18 miles (Including overshooting Elephant Rock Loop by a mile or two and traversing a large formation of red rocks to get back on course.)

Day 5

Day #5 Exploration of Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

• Charlie’s Spring Trail (4.7 miles x 2) (Add 2 miles-extended length approx 1 mile. Trail end not clear.)
• Natural Arches Trail – This is actually the East end of Fire Canyon (2.5 miles x 2) (Add 1 mile-extended length approx. 1/2 mile. Trail end not clear.)

Total: 18.9 miles

Day 6

Day #6 Exploration of Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

• Elephant Rock Loop Redo Video (1 mile)
• Eastern Petrified Logs Trail (.1 mile)
• Silica Dome Loop (1.5 miles)
• Firewave (1.5 miles)
• Panoramic View of Valley of Fire State Park from the Southern Boundary Ridge (Muddy Mountains/Keystone Thrust)
• Valley of Fire Scenic Drives Video Tour Filming

Total: 8-9 Miles