How To See Valley Of Fire State Park in One Day

We talk a lot about National Parks, but what about State Parks? Valley of Fire State Park is Nevada’s first state park, and even though it’s a desert full of red rocks, petroglyphs, and gorgeous hikes now, it was once completely underwater and home to an entirely different array of wildlife to the lizards, snakes, and desert tortoises that call it home now. Valley of Fire State Park is a fairly small park next to Lake Mead, and while you can definitely spend more than one day here, it’s also more than possible to see it in less than 24 hours. This is the ultimate itinerary for seeing Valley of Fire State Park in one day. Let’s start at the West Entrance to the park…

(Do this itinerary backwards if you’re entering from the East Entrance)

The Basics

Valley of Fire State Park costs $10 USD per car per day. As budget travelers, this was the inspiration for our one day trip—we didn’t want to pay a second time! Valley of Fire is also extremely dog friendly and our Border Collie, Lassen, was able to join us on every trail we hiked that day. None of the trails are extremely hard, even the longer Fire Wave Trail. I hiked everything in trekking sandals just fine!

Stop 1: Atlatl Rock and Arch Rock

The first major stop you’ll want to make during your day trip to Valley of Fire is Atlatl Rock and Arch Rock. They’re really close to each other, and you’ll find them near Atlatl Campground. Atlatl Rock is one of the main petroglyph sites in the park, some of which are over 4,000 years old. Arch Rock is your classic arch, and the good news is, it’s right next to the road, so you won’t have to hike yet if you’re still waking up!

Stop 2: Visitor Center

This is the only place dogs aren’t allowed, but it’s a good stop for you to get the lay of the land, ask some rangers your questions about the park, see the museum, and hit up the gift shop!

Stop 3: White Domes Road

While this isn’t technically a stop, this is the next place you’ll go during your journey. This road is about 6 miles one way, and isn’t recommended for oversized vehicles (25 feet +). This is the view you see when you look up pictures of Valley of Fire. Our next two stops are on the White Domes Road, so keep your eye on the map so you don’t miss them! There are plenty of other things you can stop and do, but these next two hikes are a must-do as long as the weather is nice!

Stop 4: Fire Wave Trail

This 1.5 mile hike is rated easy-moderate, depending on your hiking style. I personally did this hike in trekking sandals and found it easy. This trail starts off sandy and then turns to a rock trail that you must follow cairn-style posts to hike. You’ll end at a beautiful rock formation (pictured below) that’s reminiscent of Arizona’s “The Wave,” which you need permits to hike.

Stop 5: White Domes Trail

This is one of my favorite trails in the southwest. This short hike is only about a mile long, and is rated easy-moderate. It is a bit hard to follow unless you know to look for cairns, but it features a slot canyon, colorful rocks, and a historic movie site.

Stop 6: Elephant Rock

Our last stop of the day was Elephant Rock, a trail that’s located at the East Entrance. Elephant Rock is exactly what it sounds like—a rock shaped like an elephant! It’s only about a half a mile hike, and it’s rated easy. Make sure you keep an eye out though! You might miss it!

Valley of Fire is a state park that needs to be on everyone’s list. With plenty of easy and dog friendly trails to hike, you can’t go wrong with spending a day at this underrated southwestern park.

Where To Go As a First Time Visitor: West

PART TWO

Last week I started a new series to help people venturing out west for the first time decide where exactly they should visit in each state or region. This week, we’re heading a little further from the coast, and visiting three of the most underrated western states. So, pack your car, and get ready to drive, these spots are about to change your whole view of the west.

Sawtooth Mountains, ID

Idaho: Sawtooth Mountains

I have heard from other travelers that Idaho is only okay, but in my opinion, it is a place that needs to be on everyone’s bucket list, and here’s why: The Sawtooths. The Sawtooth Mountains are some of the most unique peaks in the Rockies, and they’re home to countless lakes, and some of the most expansive landscapes I’ve seen in this part of the country. There are tons of boondocking spots nearby, and the town of Stanley is adorable. There are even opportunities for you to go rafting or rent kayaks when in town. Even the park has beautiful views, and the hiking and backpacking in the mountains in unmatched.

Things to do:

Backpack to Sawtooth Lake

Kayak on Pettit Lake

Go find a hot spring

Idaho is the best hidden gem out west, so seriously, don’t knock it ‘til you hit the Sawtooths for the first time.

Nevada: Valley of Fire State Park

Nevada to me is the gateway to the Southwest from California, where I grew up. It is the first place to find red rocks, and one of the most underrated deserts in the country. I’ve picked Valley of Fire State Park as my first destination for people visiting Nevada because it’s beautiful, it’s a great way to see some of the state’s most beautiful landscapes, it’s fairly close to places like Vegas, and it has its own campground. It’s also very close to Lake Mead, which you can hit if you’re on your way to Arizona from here.

Things to do:

Drive the scenic road

Find some Petroglyphs (I like AtlAtl Rock for this)

Go on a hike (but bring lots of water)

Valley of Fire was actually once underwater, and is home to so many desert animals (including the biggest lizards I’ve ever seen). It’s definitely the best place to go if you’re trying to truly experience Nevada’s desert on a trip out west.

Arizona: Sedona

I easily could’ve picked the Grand Canyon for Arizona, but since everyone who visits Arizona goes here anyway, I thought I’d mix it up a little bit. Sedona is a town known for its spiritual energy, red rocks, and vanlife friendly facilities. It’s a popular vacation spot, and many people flock here to hike trails like Devils Bridge. But it’s really the best way to truly experience what the Arizona landscape can hold, and embrace the desert in its fullness. Sedona is a place full of love, beautiful sunsets, and endless hikes, and I think it’s a great idea for anyone wanting to spend a longer trip in Arizona (since the Grand Canyon can be seen in about 3 days or less).

Things to do:

Hike Devils Bridge

Go see the Hononki and Palatki Ruins

Meditate on Cathedral Rock (after the best hike in the area)

Sedona is a place that I personally could spend weeks in. There are so many hikes, so many famous rock formations, and so much to see. It’s also largely dog and van friendly. For first time Arizona goers, there’s no place better.

Want help planning your trip? Give me a call! Schedule a phone call with me to day at the link below!

My Top 5 Favorite Campgrounds

Even though I do a lot of free camping in my vehicle, there’s something I absolutely love about staying in a campground. From the amenities to safety to that good campground getaway vibe, there’s nothing I don’t love about getting to stay in the middle of a beautiful place like a National or State Park.

I’ve stayed in so many campgrounds, I couldn’t even count them if I tried, but these are the five that have made the biggest impression on me. They put you right in the middle of some of the prettiest landscapes in the US, and they’re all incredibly unique. Of course, a lot of them are in more touristy places, but that doesn’t mean they’re not the best way to experience those places for yourself. So, pack a warm sleeping bag, tent, and some firewood, and let’s hit the road.

(To shop my favorite camping gear, head on over to MADERA OUTDOOR and get 20% your order)

Many Glacier, Glacier National Park, MT

5: Atl Atl Campground in Valley of Fire State Park, NV

It was so hard to put this one at number five, and the only reason I did is because if you visit in the summer like me, the potable water in the campground is too hot to drink. Atl Atl Campground is located right in the middle of Valley of Fire’s beautiful red rocks. It costs $20 for a site, and includes drinking water, showers, and after park hours access. The state park actually closes at sundown, and the campers are the only ones allowed to stay later than that. Each site comes with a parking spot, tent pad, and shaded picnic table (which is super necessary if you visit in June!). This campground will give you awesome views of the Nevada desert, and one of the prettiest sunrises you’ll ever see, if you can wake up for it.

To learn more about Valley of Fire State Park, head over to the Halle’s Wandering Soul YouTube channel to watch me explore the park.

Sunrise from Atl Atl Campground, Valley of Fire State Park, NV

4: Canyon Campground in Yellowstone National Park, WY

This is one of the most accessible campgrounds I’ve ever stayed in. There were nice and clean bathrooms and a dish washing station right across from my site, and I got a bear box, picnic table, and fire ring. The campground came with 2 free showers per night, laundry access, and it was nearby a café with WiFi access and a gas station. It felt like a little outdoor town in the middle of the Wyoming wilderness. The only downside was the price. I had to book ahead of time (like 6 months ahead of time), and it cost $35, which isn’t ideal if you’re on a budget, or if you’re a spontaneous traveler like myself. If price isn’t an issue, though, Canyon is located in North East Yellowstone, not too far from the Lamar Valley. You’ll pass Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone on your way there from the Southern section of the park, as well as plenty of other sites like Yellowstone Lake and the Mud Volcano.

Canyon Campground, Yellowstone National Park, WY

3: Mather Campground in the Grand Canyon, AZ

While this campground doesn’t have the canyon views you might be dreaming of for your trip to Grand Canyon National Park, the wildlife is what helped this campground make this list. Within twenty minutes of checking in, a herd of about 20 elk came through the campground snacking on the trees. They would hang out there every day, and weren’t very afraid to be in the vicinity of people.

It’s super important though, that I drop a Leave No Trace warning here: please stay at least 25 yards from all wildlife. They are wild animals, and can react like so if provoked, which can put you and the animal in danger.

From Mather, there is a super convenient shuttle system that can take you around the park so that you don’t have to worry about finding parking at trailheads or the visitor center, so definitely make sure you take advantage of that! This was also my first solo camping trip, and I felt 100% safe in Mather.

Mather costs $18 to camp in.

For more information about Mather Campground and the Grand Canyon, head to the Halle’s Wandering Soul YouTube channel.

Grand Canyon National Park, AZ (unfortunately, not the view from Mather Campground, but the view from Mather Point instead)

2: Camp 4 in Yosemite National Park, CA

It was so hard not to put this at number one. This is one of the first campgrounds I stayed in that wasn’t part of a family camping trip, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. This is the famous climbers campground of Yosemite, and you might recognize it from documentaries like Valley Uprising. It’s walk-up only, meaning tents only, and you actually share a site with other campers. Each registered camper ($6 per person per night) will receive a bear box, but you’ll share your fire ring with the other campers in your site. This makes for an incredible environment of bonding with your neighbors, and has allowed me to make friends I still talk to. Camp 4 is accessible by shuttle, and is home to one of the toughest bouldering spots in the state.

View of Yosemite Falls from Near Camp 4, Yosemite National Park, CA

1: Rising Sun in Glacier National Park, MT

Glacier National Park is number one on pretty much every list of mine, but Rising Sun Campground was actually incredible. It was “hard side only” when I was there, which meant it was closed to tent campers, so make sure you check with a ranger before camping in any part of Glacier National Park. I loved Rising Sun because it was located in East Glacier, the side of Glacier with the best views. The other campground here, St. Mary’s, requires reservations, and the other campgrounds are located in either West Glacier or Many Glacier, which are a bit out of the way of the true Glacier experience (although you need to stop in Many Glacier during your trip here—it’s incredible). Rising Sun has its own shuttle stop, restaurant, gift shop, and shower access, and costs $20. The site came with access to flush toilets and some of the best tasting campground water I’ve ever had.

Sunrise view from Rising Sun Campground, Glacier National Park, MT

Camping is the best way to truly experience the outdoors. From the red deserts of Nevada to the towering mountains of Yosemite, there are beautiful campgrounds all over the country. While these are my absolute favorites, some honorable mentions include: Jumbo Rocks Campground in Joshua Tree, Wooden Frog State Forest Campground in Minnesota, and Belle Fourche Campground in Devils Tower. So, grab your gear, hit the road, and get ready to spend a night under the stars.

---

I am currently writing an ebook covering everywhere I traveled during my first summer on the road, due to launch in the shop on December 1, 2019. For more information about most of the places on this list, subscribe to my weekly newsletter so you can be the first to know when the book is available.