Welcome to the Park of the Week Newsletter for September 19, 2024. This week we’re featuring a park known for its petroglyphs and otherworldly rock formations.
Valley of Fire State Park
Location
Southern Nevada, United States
Claim to fame
Valley of Fire State Park is renowned for its colorful rock formations, petroglyphs, and scenic highway. The park’s otherworldly sandstone rocks were formed 150 million years ago and have attracted visitors for thousands of years, including the Ancestral Puebloans, who left behind art that is still visible today. Valley of Fire is the oldest and largest of Nevada’s state parks, and is one of the most popular natural attractions in the state.
Reason to visit
Valley of Fire State Park has numerous hiking trails of all difficulty levels, some of which provide easy access to stunning petroglyphs and rock formations. Slot canyons, natural paths whittled down through hundreds or even thousands of feet of rock, provide narrow trails unlike any other. Cycling or driving the park’s scenic road is also popular.
Wild Fact
The alien landscapes of Valley of Fire State Park have provided film-lovers with some iconic scenery. Elvis Presley, Burt Lancaster, and Arnold Schwarzenegger have all filmed among the park’s colorful rocks. The park has often represented other worlds in film, as when it’s Silica Dome was featured as the death and burial site of Star Trek’s Captain Kirk.
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