Las Vegas to Valley of Fire. How to plan and what else to add?
 

Hi,

We are staying on Strip. On our last day we will get rental car and will have full day to see places outside Las Vegas before taking flight at 9:00 PM. If I consider dropping rental car time then we may have time from 11 am till 7 pm when we will drop rental car.

We are planning to visit Valley of Fire and looking for scenic route to cover. This is where I need help if I am getting it correct or should I modify it for better.

Las Vegas Strip - drive to 215 - Henderson - 564— 167 - Roger Springs - St Thomas - Seven Sisters - Mouse Tanks - White Domes - Fire Waves - backtrack to Valley of Fire Hwy - get to 15 and back to Las Vegas Airport.

Here is map link - https://maps.app.goo.gl/W2KpXaN5Mqy1SbZu7?g_st=it

Please advise, if I can add something else too for our day or any interesting stop or need to change something.

Thanks

The day that I went to see Valley of Fire, I went north on I-15 and went there first. The other main attraction that I saw that day was Hoover Dam.
I would skip St. Thomas and Callville Bay. The lake is now at such a low level that you will be shocked. The structure of Hoover Dam is impressive no matter how little water is above it. I took the Lakeshore Road to come out about 3 miles west of the dam. Sometimes there are helicopter rides from a small hill next to the Hoover Dam Hotel Casino parking lot. After you clear the checkpoint to go over the dam, go to the Arizona side (across the dam) to get to free parking. I consider the covered parking garage in Nevada ($$) to be a rip off. When you come back up from the dam, stop at the parking lot to go see the big bridge that towers over Hoover Dam. It has a good walkway on the dam side of the highway. The apex of the bridge and the state line are marked on the walkway.
The reason that I went to Valley of Fire first was to get there before it got hot. The other place to visit to the west outside Las Vegas is Red Rocks.

thanks for suggestions. On some of old posts I read recommendation to visit Roger Springs, St Thomas and Lake Mead, and that is reason I was thinking of going from that route instead of I-15.

I agree with Tomfuller, go north on 15 to get to VOF. Do pick up food and drinks before you get there as there is no dining place in the park. When you get off 15 there was a gas station/quickie mart where you might find snacks etc.

the road comes out on one that runs along Lake Meade and you can continue on up to Hoover Dam.

Before anything else, make sure do download the OFFLINE MAPS of the area you'll be driving around. Just like any other Canyon or N.P. there will be no cell phone reception for the most part.

I was just up there couple of days ago. Just like others mentioned, I'd start with Valley of Fire. I's only 1 hour drive to get there from the Strip. Here's what I can tell you. First, if you're currently in the Vegas right now (you didn't state the travel dates), no need to warry about getting too hut. Right now you have more chances of cold mornings than hot afternoon.
The thing I like about Valley of Fire, it's not that big of an area to drive around and for the most part, once you stop the car, everything is right there. You just step off the road/parking lot and you can physically touch things! It’s a perfect place for a short visit. The trail walk I’d recommend would be to the Fire Wave trail loop. It’s 1.5 miles round trip on foot, 1.8 if you go as far as the Pink/Pastel Canyon. And it’s fairly easy hike.

All the other attractions are very short walks, you’ll understand when you’ll get there. The pictures will show you how far the parked cars are.

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So, I’d take I-15 to Valley of Fire. Short ride past the Park entrance boot, on your left, you’ll see rocks formation with a gravel road leading to it. It’s the start of a Scenic Loop, you can drive any vehicle on it, and it turns into paved road 1/3 down the drive. It’ll lead you to the Atlatl Rock parking lot. After visiting the rock, walk past it, you may see a Big Horns around that wall, they are frequently spotted there, every day.

Once you get back on the main road, turn right (very short drive back) to stop at the Beehives. After that Take that road toward Visitor Center. Gorgeous road there. Drive to the Fire Canyon Overlook. Again, all fairly short drives. From there, continue driving up all the way to the Fire Wave parking lot. This will be the most crowded lot you’ll encounter. Go back past the visitor center, turn left at the main road again and you’ll see Seven Sisters with some picnic tables between them. The Elephant Rock is last, right before the other end park entrance boot.

With this, you’re in control of what you want to see and pace you’re time on stops and site seeing. Below are the driving distances & times to realize how compact this place. Once you’re done, you’ll see how much time you’ll have left in a daylight and where else you could stop.


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Thank you so much for detailed information, very helpful

You're welcome. I've been to quite of few N.P. and found this little one to be quite charming. And it's so accessible, you don't have to walk long and difficult trails to enjoy it. Here's few more picks from there.
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The Wave

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If you are interested in ancient rock art. Check out thr petroglyphs along the left side of the trail to Mouse’s tank and also atl atl rock.

We're passing through there next month and this is great info. im looking at the park map Attachment 7972

and trying to match up what andy lists to what the park lists...i don't see a 1 for 1 match (names andy listed above don't show up on the park map).... I'll do my own homework to reconcile the two. Typically I use alltrails app (with offline maps as well) for hiking trails. I'm sure they have all the VoF trails available... https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/n...-state-park--2

Try this:
VOF_PDF_Map_-_All-Year_FINAL_Updated_11-21-21.pdf (nv.gov)

perfect!
thank you.

You're welcome. And don't worry about trail maps. You'd have to try really hard to get lost in there. It's a small Park. But quite enjoyable for a short visit.

I would completely skip Hoover Dam and go to Valley of Fire.

Hoover Dam is a WOW factor. Quick stop worthy

I agree. I've been to Hoover Dam several times in my life. I don't intend to go back to Valley of Fire unless I'm with someone who has never seen it before. The other good sightseeing thing in the LV area is Red Rocks west of town out Charleston.

I'm the opposite. Been to Hoover Dam and don't need to go back. It was definitely amazing though. Have been to Valley of Fire several times and could go back many more times. It's a magical place and not to be missed (except in summer!!). The hikes are not long but you do need to get out of the car to see things.

I went to Hoover Dam as a teen and was bored. Never been back nor do I want to. Maybe it appeals to guys. I love anything with red rocks, rock art and big horn sheep.

We just visited VoF on our way from Vegas to Zion. The details provided by andy are spot on. Really enjoyed our several hours there.

A note of caution though…. The payment process at the single lane west entrance booth was verrrry inefficient, taking 2 or 3 minutes per car…. With cars arriving about once a minute over a few hour stretch on a glorious spring weekend there was a loooong backup wait just to get into the park. I expect the east entrance is not as busy, but caveat viator…