Valley of Fire, Nevada

Trip

Day Hike - Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

Hike #2 in Southern NV/UT. Three or four shorter hikes the same day in Valley of Fire State Park east of Las Vegas, NV. Atlati Rock Petroglyphs 0.1 mile, 50' gain; Prospect Trail/White Domes Trail/Seven Wonders Loop one-way shuttle hike 7.7 Miles, 1000' gain ; Rainbow Vista 1.1 miles, 180' gain; Petroglyph Canyon, up to 4.0 miles, 800' gain. This is part one of two hiking series/segments I will be leading in Southern Nevada/Utah (this trip) and then Death Valley NP 3/8-3/13.

  • *Varies*
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 13.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 2,000 ft
  • Pace: 1.25 in sand to 2.5 MPH on flat
  • FULL (9 capacity)
  • Sat, Jan 3, 2026 at 1:13 PM
  • Mon, Mar 2, 2026 at 5:00 PM
  • Cancellation & Refund Policy
  • iCal Google

Hike #2 A full day in Valley of Fire State Park with three day hikes and up to two short stops.  See below.

--Atlati Rock Petroglyphs 0.1 miles, 50' gain.  Gaia route:  https://www.gaiagps.com/public/cJ2grtmsAcsXrj20SOKi9ffT/

--Prospect Trail/White Dome Trail/Seven Wonders Loop one-way shuttle hike. 7.7 miles, 1000' gain Gaia route:  https://www.gaiagps.com/public/4bCyVdZ26mESYuHAmyVJ9VAu/

--Rainbow Vista, aka Fire Canyon Overlook, 1.1 miles RT, 180' gain.  Gaia route:  https://www.gaiagps.com/public/KIruEdydlFYtFloXzElSOIte/

--Petroglyph Canyon, 4.0 miles RT, 800' gain.  Trip can be shortened if needed.  Includes a potential but fully optional short scramble option to nearby viewpoint.  Gaia route: https://www.gaiagps.com/public/oBBR8CQ2Fu28HpKAW6As48R9/

--Optional very short hike or stop along the road on the way out or in to see Elephant Rock--near the East entrance to the State Park.

General Trip Plan

This is one of two amazing sets of day hikes offered in the warm desert areas  to the west and north of Las Vegas, NV.  This grouping of hikes is in Southern Nevada and Southern Utah. The Death Valley segment (immediately following this set of hikes) will include six day hikes in six consecutive days in Death Valley NP--see that separate posting for details.  Between these two sets of hikes there will also be a short hike on the drive from the two areas near Mt. Charleston, NV on 3/7 (explained in a different posting).   Early March is the prime time for blooming flowers and pleasant weather.  The day time temperatures should be around 70 degrees in Southern NV, cooler in Utah.  

The basic plan in Southern Nevada/Utah is for folks (at their choosing) to fly into Las Vegas on Monday 3/2 and be picked up at the airport by the leader or find their own transportation and then drive to their lodging choice near Mesquite, NV or St.George, UT.  I hope to have time that day we fly in for a short hike in Red Rocks Recreation Area, west of Las Vegas. The planned hikes are listed individual by date.  The particular hikes will need to be somewhat fluid as many roads have been damaged by recent floods.  Predicted weather may also necessitate reordering the hike order to ensure the most enjoyable time.  This trip is all Leader Permission Only.  All or nearly all hikes are currently full but cancellations may happen.

Lodging and Transportation Options

I am planning to rent a car at the Las Vegas/Harry Reid Airport.  I can pick folks up for this trip at about 12 PM for those wanting shared car/lodging.  I will be renting an Air B 'n B house in Mesquite, NV (3/2-3/7)- 5 nights.  Folks wanting this shared car and lodging option can also continue with me on the Death Valley trip that follows this one. I am also planning to rent an Air B 'n B house in Beatty, NV for 3/8-3/14, seven nights for those Death Valley hikes.  Those that want to stay with me at the house and share the rental car need to be those I know and have had a positive experience from the Mountaineers or can provide a Mountaineers Leader I know as a reference.  It is important that we all be compatible and responsible.  The cost for the housing/rental car will be divided by the number of participants that choose that option.  If we get five participants it should be less than $100 a night (times 5 nights).  Shared cost for the rental car should be about $25-30 per day (times 6 days).  I anticipate a shared grocery/cooking arrangement most nights and possibly one or two meals at a restaurant for those sharing lodging.  More details will come.  A initial deposit and full payment before the trip begins will be required for the housing option and the rental car option.  These arrangements are optional.  Folks are welcome to provide their own transportation and lodging.  The Mountaineers sponsored part of the trip are  only the hikes.

These hikes will be Leader Permission Only.    I will be choosing the most compatible group members.  First priority will be given to participants that desire to do both itineraries (southern Nevada/Utah and Death Valley) and desire to share lodging and car rental.  Second priority will be to folks desiring to do only one of the two sets of hikes (either southern Nevada/Utah or Death Valley) and desire to share accommodating and rental car. Finally, those wanting only one or more hikes and/or are providing their own accommodations and transportation will be free to sign-up as space allows, with leader permission.   Hikes will be limited to around 10-12 people per day.  They will be at a moderate to more difficult level and about 8-12 miles each day. 

Please use the Leader Permission requests tab on the right side-bar to express interest.  At this point, I am looking for the level of interest in our hiking community for this week(s) of hikes.  Please state whether you would do all the days of hiking or only a couple of days, have interest only in the Southern Nevada/Utah trip or also the adjacent/prior trip to Death Valley; and whether you have interest in shared transportation from the Las Vegas airport and in a shared Air B n B lodging  or plan to be on your own.   I will soon be posting the specific hikes and provide costs for those desiring shared transportation and lodging.  Thanks.  Rob Erickson, Hike Leader

time TBD.  Directions will be forthcoming

The shuttle hike--Prospect Trail/White Dome Trail/Seven Wonders Loop will require atleast three cars to do the shuttle.

There is $15 per vehicle charge to enter the State Park. 

Route/Place

Valley of Fire, Nevada


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Required Equipment

Required Equipment

The Ten Essentials

  • Navigation
  • Headlamp
  • Sun protection
  • First aid
  • Knife
  • Fire
  • Shelter
  • Extra food
  • Extra water
  • Extra clothes
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