The visitor center is the payment point if the entrance station is unmanned as it was on our visit and has flush restrooms behind the main building. See which label you think it resembles most. The state park service switched to the more noble sounding name in the late 70's I think. It was originally known as Mosquito Arch, and it does indeed resemble an insect with a long needle nose. I didn't see the resemblance at first, as it is quite an emaciated elephant. ![]() If you enter from the Lake Mead side, the first formation you encounter as the firy red rocks rise out of the desert is Elephant Arch with a short trail to view it. Johnny Cash probably never set foot here, but his hit song about his love of June Carter could have just as easily been about a hike in the Valley of Fire, especially the colorful fire wave area. And it burns burns burns the ring of fire. I went down down down and the flames went higher. Our kids and I love naming the different rock formations as we see them.’ did you see that looks like a turtle? Or a dinosaur. Take time to do all the scenic loops as you never know what you may see. My hubby on the other hand is warm, so he had on a wind breaker for only the early part of the morning, then it was off about 9 am. I am almost always cold and required a light jacket with a 32 degree shirt. In winter you will like to have a jacket as the weather can be deceiving. The visitors center has a gift shop and museum of many desert animals and about the ancient peoples of the area. Many birds at the “Atlatl” petroglyphs rock. We saw many birds, desert sheep that if you drive slowly will let you come near (stay in your car) and get pictures! But please don’t feed them! We saw a herd near the “petrified log” near the west entrance. If you plan to arrive at sunrise it is the best time to see the natural wildlife. ![]() Many trails are just sand/ dirt, some have gravel. If coming with small children be prepared to have snacks and drinks on hand. ![]() You need gallons of water and sunscreen if you come in summertime. We came once in May and it was so hot my kids hardly got out of the car. Definitely recommend to arrive early as within an hour’s time 3xs as many people arrive on scene. This trip we left our hotel in time to arrive at sunrise. I have had the most relaxing time, it gives you a sense of peace and quiet as you drive around looking at all the natural wonders. The weather gets really hot especially in the middle of the day, so bring lots of water, and try to visit earlier in the day if you can. Wear shoes, not flip-flops, crocs, or anything else of the sort. The White Domes are unique because it's the only part of the park that has these large white dome rocks situated within it, providing a sharp contrast to the rest of park where it is all red.Ĭoncluding Thoughts: There are a couple tips I would give to people interested in visiting. You'll also have some of the most expansive views of the canyons here. If you walk far enough, you can see the rainbow-like shades of colors on the tan rocks. The views from Rainbow Vista are simply breathtaking! It feels like walking along a desert with cactus everywhere. The most popular stops (which were also my favorite) were the Rainbow Vista, and the White Domes. That may not have as much value to other people, but I found it really interesting! ![]() The next stop was this area called Atlatl Rock, where you'll have to climb up several stairs to get to the top, but the view from the top of this rock is absolutely amazing! You'll also get to see drawings on the rocks (petroglyphs) made from people in the past, some of which you can tell, some of which are hard to decipher. The beehives are beautiful rocks that have a unique cross bedding design like a beehive spread out in a vast area. The Beehives are the first stopping point in the park. You can drive anywhere in the park, and get off and take pictures anywhere as well, so you have a ton of freedom to just enjoy the experience and the view. The entrance fee is $10, and you get a park map to guide you to all the different locations to see. It is absolutely beautiful, and from someone who is generally not a fan of travelling to historic sites just to take pictures, that says a lot. These features, which are the centerpiece of the park's attractions, often appear to be on fire when reflecting the sun's rays. The state park derives its name from red sandstone formations, which formed from shifting sand dunes 150 million years ago.
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