5 Reasons to Visit Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada

Explore the Best of the Southwest at Nevada’s Valley of Fire State Park

Valley of Fire State Park is Nevada’s oldest and largest state park, and it’s a wonderful place for hiking, camping, and photography. Make sure you have a full memory card for your camera – the scenery is otherworldly. While visiting Valley of Fire you’ll explore trails marked by ancient petroglyphs while soaking in the sights of the vibrant red rocks and open desert that surround you in all directions.

1. Valley of Fire State Park is a quick trip from Las Vegas

From Las Vegas, you can reach Valley of Fire State Park in approximately one hour. It’s an easy 50 miles from Vegas via Interstate 15, making it a perfect day trip. Be prepared for boiling hot temperatures in the summer, though! Daytime highs can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Spring and fall offer much milder, and more pleasant, temperatures.

2. The scenery resembles Mars…on Earth

This state park has definitely earned its dramatic name – the red sandstone rock formations look like fire sprouting from the desert sands. This impressive geology was molded over 150 million years ago via erosion, shifting sand dunes, and moving fault lines. There are a number of fun trails to explore that will allow you to get up close and personal with the “fire” of the park. When you arrive, make a quick stop at the Visitors Center. The staff will have tons of information about where to go.

3. Take a walk through history

For an excellent introduction to the petroglyphs of the park (which are over 3,000 years old!), try Mouse’s Trail. It’s an easy 1.4-mile trip that takes hikers to a natural rock aquifer (which holds rainwater to keep the ecosystem functioning through long, dry periods.) This particular trail is one of the best places to spot these markings, so be sure to keep an eye out for the symbols! As you walk, think about the ancient, nomadic groups that once traveled through the area. You’ll, quite literally, be strolling through history.

4. Silence never sounded so wonderful

Valley of Fire State Park tends to be a fairly quiet place. There will be occasional tourist buses coming through, but for the most part, it doesn’t see the hoards of visitors that other nearby attractions bring. There’s something enchanting about being in the middle of the desert, encircled by bright sandstone and scraggly vegetation. Take a deep breath and enjoy the peace and quiet.

5. Getting around Valley of Fire is a breeze

The majority of the park’s most interesting sights are easy to reach, even for children and the elderly. The park rangers will have plenty of information about the trails and can direct you toward paths that your group will love. The trails are all well marked and easy to follow. If hiking doesn’t sound like much fun, driving through the park will still give you access to the best of the park’s scenery.

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The natural marvels of Arizona could keep any traveler enthralled for decades. However, if a visitor just has a few days to spend in the Grand Canyon State, here are 5 must see sights.

Grand Canyon South Rim

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Top 5 National Parks in the U.S.

Visit the 5 Best National Parks in the United States

There are currently 59 national parks scattered throughout the United States. Each one is worth visiting, but it could take an entire lifetime to experience every single park. If you’re looking for the best of the best, start planning your trips to these top 5 national parks in the U.S.

5. Acadia National Park, Maine

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What to pack for a Grand Canyon day tour

One of the most common questions people ask when booking their Grand Canyon day tours is “What should I bring?” The answer depends on the time of year and the weather.

Grand Canyon Weather and Seasons:

Believe it or not, the temperature at the Grand Canyon can vary up to 100 degrees over the course of the year. The bottom of the canyon, near the river and at Phantom Ranch, is almost always warmer than at the Rim. The North Rim is also about 1,000 feet higher in elevation than the South Rim, usually making the temperature about 10 degrees cooler on the north side.

Grand Canyon landscape

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Top 5 Day Trips from Las Vegas, Nevada

Headed to Vegas? If you want to get the most out of your trip to Sin City, be sure to venture off The Strip and explore your surroundings. The desert Southwest is one of the most incredible places on Earth and is peppered with one-of-a-kind sites you won’t want to miss. The best part?

You can visit most of them on an easy day trip from Vegas, so get ready to hit the highway and check out some of the top tourist attractions in and around Nevada!

1. Red Rock Canyon

Just a few miles beyond the bright lights of Las Vegas lies the hidden gem of Red Rock Canyon. The Nevada attraction is famous for its bright red rock formations and offers a welcome distraction from the temptations of Sin City. Spend a few hours hiking or biking through miles of marked trails or simply soak in the views from the canyon’s 13-mile scenic road. Make sure to keep an eye out for the deer, foxes, burros, and hawks that call Red Rock home!

Red Rock Canyon

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5 Reasons to Take Flight on a Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour

If you need some convincing as to why Grand Canyon helicopter tours are the best way to visit the canyon, look no further

It can be difficult to choose the best way to experience the Grand Canyon and it’s intense scenery. However, a helicopter tour offers views that many visitors don’t get to experience. Experts estimate that the canyon took anywhere from 3-6 million years to form, but you can get amazing views of the West and South rims in a single day.

5. Grand Canyon helicopter tours from Las Vegas are readily available 

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Explore Magical Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park in Southwestern Utah is a magical place where the effects of water, ice and wind over millions of years have created a dramatic wonderland worthy of your next trip. Famous for its unique geology, Bryce Canyon features colorful limestone rock in the form of wonderfully bizarre shapes including slot canyons, windows, and spires called “hoodoos.” These whimsically arranged rocks in hues of red, orange, pink and white create a wondrous landscape of mazes, offering some of the most exhilarating hikes imaginable.

Bryce Canyon Water Fall

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