The notebook of Valley of Fire
Make every climb a discovery.
Red sandstone, arches and petroglyphs in the desert.
At your own pace
Identity summary
1 to 3 days
Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
Recommended car
Desert · Heritage · Nature
Variable accessibility
Sweet rhythm
General presentation
Valley of Fire
Red sandstone, arches and petroglyphs in the desert.
To understand what Valley of Fire is, you have to look at Fire Wave, Elephant Rock and Atlatl Rock. These places give us a view of a territory marked by desert areas, heritage and natural spaces and allow us to move from emblematic sites to more intimate stages.
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For a stay of 1 to 3 days, a quiet rhythm works well. Also to be anticipated: conditions to be checked according to the season. A car is usually the easiest way to connect the different sectors. Accessibility varies from site to site and deserves to be verified step by step.
Strengths and constraints
Strengths
- Fire Wave
- Elephant Rock
- Atlatl Rock
Before you choose
- Car often useful
- Conditions to be checked by season
Places worth visiting
A selection to start dreaming and organizing the stay — not an exhaustive list of everything there is to see.
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Fire Wave
Fire Wave On the sandstone, the red, pink and white stripes give the impression of a wave frozen in the stone. The walk is short but exposed, so more pleasant sooner or later in the day; the shaving light brings out curves better than the vertical sun.
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Elephant Rock
Elephant Rock owes its name to a natural arch whose shape evokes a trunk and a massive body, just near the road of Valley of Fire. The site is quickly visible, but it illustrates the fantasy of local erosion, capable of turning the red sandstone into an almost figurative silhouette.
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Atlatl Rock
Atlatl Rock is known for its petroglyphs visible from a metal staircase, engraved on a dark wall of Valley of Fire Among the motifs, the atlatl, a propellant used to launch projectiles, gives its name to the site; the visit is brief, but it adds an ancient human presence to the sandstone decor.
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Mouse's Tank
The Mouses Tank follows a sandy wash between red walls covered with petroglyphs, until a natural bowl where the water can stay after the rains. The name refers to a Paiute nicknamed Mouse, associated with this rocky refuge; the trail thus combines easy walking, ancient traces and carved reliefs.
Practical tips
This information helps know if the destination matches the planned trip before starting a fuller search.
To go further
More activities
Restaurants, walks, culture, leisure and outings to search without leaving the destination card.
The nearest destinations
The closest ideas on the map, to extend your trip.
Similar destinations
Same landscapes and the same pace of travel, elsewhere in the world.
