{{short description|State park in Nevada, United States}} {{redirect|Valley of Fire|other uses|Valley of Fire (disambiguation)}} {{Use American English|date=February 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}} {{Infobox park | name = Valley of Fire State Park | image = Valley of fire State Park.jpg | image_size = 280 | image_alt = Landscape | image_caption = | map = Nevada | map_caption = Location in Nevada | map_size = 280 | relief = 1 | map_label = Valley of Fire State Park | location = Clark County, Nevada, United States | nearest_city = Las Vegas, Nevada | coordinates = {{coord|36|28|20|N|114|32|15|W|region:US-NV_dim:50000|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = <ref name=gnis/> | area = {{convert|45937.88|acre|abbr=on}}<ref name=statelands/> | elevation = {{convert|1581|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=gnis>{{cite gnis|844569|Valley of Fire}}</ref> | established = 1935 | free_label = Named for | free_data = | designation = Nevada state park | administrator = Nevada Division of State Parks | visitation_num = 174,533 vehicles | visitation_year = 2017 | visitation_ref = <ref>{{Cite web |date=2018 |title=Division of State Parks Performance Audit |url=https://www.leg.state.nv.us/division/audit/Full/BE2018/LA18-22%20Division%20of%20State%20Parks.pdf |website=Nevada Legislature}}</ref> | status = | website = {{Official website}} | module = {{designation list|embed=yes|designation1=NNL |designation1_date=1968|designation2=Nevada|designation2_number=150}} }}
'''Valley of Fire State Park''' is a public recreation and nature preservation area covering nearly {{convert|46000|acre|ha}} located {{convert|16|mi}} south of Overton, Nevada.<ref name=nsp/> The state park derives its name from red sandstone formations, the Aztec Sandstone, which formed from shifting dunes 150 million years ago.<ref name=plan/> These features, which are the centerpiece of the park's attractions, often appear to be on fire when reflecting the sun's rays.<ref name=parkhistory/> It is Nevada's oldest state park, as commemorated with Nevada Historical Marker #150.<ref name=markers/> It was designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1968.<ref name=nnl/>
Valley of Fire is located in the Mojave Desert {{convert|50|mi}} northeast of Las Vegas, at an elevation between {{convert|1320|-|3009|ft}}.<ref name=plan/> It abuts the Lake Mead National Recreation Area on the east at the Virgin River confluence. It lies in a {{convert|4|by|6|mi|abbr=on}} basin.
A new $30 million visitor center was opened November 10, 2025. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Announcing the Grand Opening of New Valley of Fire Visitor Center |url=https://parks.nv.gov/news/announcing-the-grand-opening-of-the-new-valley-of-fire-visitor-center |access-date=April 29, 2026 |website=Nevada State Parks}}</ref>
==Geology== [[File:Lake Mead and Valley of Fire State Park.jpg|thumb|left|Aerial view of Lake Mead]] Complex uplifting and faulting of the region, followed by extensive erosion, have created the landscape. The rough floor and jagged walls of the park contain brilliant formations of eroded sandstone and sand dunes more than 150 million years old. Other important rock formations include limestones, shales, and conglomerates.<ref name=plan/>
== History == [[File:Valley of Fire petroglyphs, Nevada.jpg|thumb|left|Petroglyphs]] Prehistoric inhabitants of the Valley of Fire included the Ancestral Puebloans, also known as the Anasazi, who were farmers from the nearby fertile Moapa Valley. Their approximate occupation span has been dated from 300 BC to 1150 AD. Their visits probably involved hunting, food gathering, and religious ceremonies, although scarcity of water would have limited their stay. Fine examples of rock art (petroglyphs) left by these ancient peoples can be found at several sites within the park.<ref name=plan/>
The creation of Valley of Fire State Park began with the transfer of {{convert|8760|acre}} of federal land to the state of Nevada in 1931.<ref name=markers/> Work on the park was initiated by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933. During their employment, which continued into the early 1940s, CCC workers built campgrounds, trails, stone visitor cabins, ramadas, and roads.<ref name=kolvetford/> The park opened in 1934; it achieved official designation by the state legislature in 1935.<ref name=parkhistory/>
== Climate == The Valley of Fire State Park has a dry and warm climate typical of the Mojave Desert in which it lies. Winters are mild with daytime temperatures ranging from {{convert|54|to|75|F|abbr=on}}. and over night lows in the mid 30 °F's to low 50 °F's (3-12 °C). Storms moving east from the Pacific Ocean occasionally bring rain during the winter months. Daily summer highs usually range from {{convert|100|to|115|F|abbr=on}} and on occasion may reach near {{convert|120|F|abbr=on}}. Thunderstorms from the Southwestern Monsoon can produce heavy showers during summer. The average annual precipitation is {{convert|6.50|in|mm|abbr=on}}.
{{Weather box | width = auto | collapsed = yes | single line = yes | location = Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1972–present) | Jan record high F = 75 | Feb record high F = 87 | Mar record high F = 96 | Apr record high F = 100 | May record high F = 111 | Jun record high F = 118 | Jul record high F = 120 | Aug record high F = 116 | Sep record high F = 114 | Oct record high F = 102 | Nov record high F = 87 | Dec record high F = 80 | year record high F = | Jan high F = 58.2 | Feb high F = 62.7 | Mar high F = 70.9 | Apr high F = 79.1 | May high F = 89.2 | Jun high F = 100.2 | Jul high F = 105.3 | Aug high F = 103.6 | Sep high F = 96.4 | Oct high F = 82.5 | Nov high F = 68.0 | Dec high F = 57.0 | year high F = 81.1 | Jan mean F = 49.2 | Feb mean F = 53.2 | Mar mean F = 60.3 | Apr mean F = 67.5 | May mean F = 77.2 | Jun mean F = 87.9 | Jul mean F = 93.7 | Aug mean F = 92.0 | Sep mean F = 84.4 | Oct mean F = 71.2 | Nov mean F = 57.9 | Dec mean F = 48.1 | year mean F = 70.2 | Jan low F = 40.1 | Feb low F = 43.7 | Mar low F = 49.8 | Apr low F = 55.9 | May low F = 65.2 | Jun low F = 75.7 | Jul low F = 82.1 | Aug low F = 80.3 | Sep low F = 72.5 | Oct low F = 60.0 | Nov low F = 47.7 | Dec low F = 39.3 | year low F = 59.4 | Jan record low F = 19 | Feb record low F = 18 | Mar record low F = 29 | Apr record low F = 29 | May record low F = 42 | Jun record low F = 48 | Jul record low F = 64 | Aug record low F = 61 | Sep record low F = 49 | Oct record low F = 38 | Nov record low F = 28 | Dec record low F = 12 | year record low F = | precipitation colour = green | Jan precipitation inch = 0.78 | Feb precipitation inch = 1.12 | Mar precipitation inch = 0.76 | Apr precipitation inch = 0.31 | May precipitation inch = 0.18 | Jun precipitation inch = 0.06 | Jul precipitation inch = 0.68 | Aug precipitation inch = 0.37 | Sep precipitation inch = 0.28 | Oct precipitation inch = 0.42 | Nov precipitation inch = 0.52 | Dec precipitation inch = 0.81 | year precipitation inch = 6.29 | unit precipitation days = 0.01 in | Jan precipitation days = 3.5 | Feb precipitation days = 4.2 | Mar precipitation days = 3.7 | Apr precipitation days = 1.9 | May precipitation days = 1.1 | Jun precipitation days = 0.6 | Jul precipitation days = 2.1 | Aug precipitation days = 2.1 | Sep precipitation days = 1.6 | Oct precipitation days = 2.2 | Nov precipitation days = 2.0 | Dec precipitation days = 3.5 | year precipitation days = 28.5 | Jan snow inch = 0.0 | Feb snow inch = 0.0 | Mar snow inch = 0.0 | Apr snow inch = 0.0 | May snow inch = 0.0 | Jun snow inch = 0.0 | Jul snow inch = 0.0 | Aug snow inch = 0.0 | Sep snow inch = 0.0 | Oct snow inch = 0.0 | Nov snow inch = 0.0 | Dec snow inch = 0.3 | year snow inch = 0.3 | unit snow days = 0.1 in | Jan snow days = 0.0 | Feb snow days = 0.1 | Mar snow days = 0.0 | Apr snow days = 0.0 | May snow days = 0.0 | Jun snow days = 0.0 | Jul snow days = 0.0 | Aug snow days = 0.0 | Sep snow days = 0.0 | Oct snow days = 0.0 | Nov snow days = 0.1 | Dec snow days = 0.1 | year snow days = 0.3 | source = NOAA<ref name="NOWData">{{cite web |url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=vef |title = NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date = December 16, 2023}}</ref><ref name="NCEI">{{cite web |url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00268588&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL |title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020 |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date = December 16, 2023}}</ref> }}
== Valley of Fire Road == thumb|Civilian Conservation Corps cabins Valley of Fire Road is the main road accessing and traversing through the park. The {{convert|10.5|mi|km|adj=on}} section of the route between the east and west entrances of the park was officially designated as a Nevada Scenic Byway on June 30, 1995.<ref name=byways/>
==Activities and amenities== alt=Striking rock formations within the Valley of Fire.|thumb|Striking rock formations within the Valley of Fire. The park has a visitor center plus facilities for picnicking, camping, and hiking.<ref name=nsp/> Petroglyphs are seen throughout the park, with Mouse's Tank and Atlatl Rock two areas in particular with numerous petroglyphs that are relatively easily accessible.<ref name=plan/> The park also preserves three stone cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. {{clear}}
==Film history== thumb|Ruin along the White Domes trail from the movie ''The Professionals'' Valley of Fire is a popular location for shooting automobile commercials and other commercial photography. It has provided a setting for the following films and television shows: * ''Viva Las Vegas'' starring Elvis Presley had multiple shots filmed in the park during the racing scenes for the film's finale in 1963. * ''The Professionals'' with Burt Lancaster, Jack Palance, Lee Marvin, and Claudia Cardinale was filmed in 1966. Valley of Fire was one of three locations used in the film. All that remains of the set is a portion of a rock wall of a hacienda.<ref name="moviesites"/> * The outside Mars scenes from ''Total Recall'', starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, were almost totally shot in Valley of Fire.<ref name="totalrecall"/> * The scenes from planet Veridian III from ''Star Trek Generations'' were filmed here in 1994.<ref name=moapa/> The Silica Dome is particularly highlighted for ''Star Trek'' fans as the site of iconic starship captain James T. Kirk's death and burial. {{clear}} <!-- Please don't add an image gallery here; instead, add to the Wikimedia gallery page linked just below. Thanks. -->
== Law enforcement incidents == On July 10, 2024, a park ranger shot and killed a man who allegedly charged at the ranger with a knife, which resulted in the park being closed for two days.<ref>{{Cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=2024-07-10 |title=Valley of Fire remains closed amid investigation into deadly shooting involving ranger |url=https://www.fox5vegas.com/2024/07/10/valley-fire-state-park-closes-after-ranger-fires-kills-1/ |access-date=2026-03-16 |website=www.fox5vegas.com |language=en}}</ref> An investigation later conducted by the Department of Public Safety said suicide notes were found; the suspect had knife wounds on his neck; blood was found inside the suspect's vehicle and on the knife, which indicated the wounds were likely self-inflicted, and occurred before he got out of his car.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hudspeth |first1=Christian |title=Authorities detail events that led to first fatal officer-involved shooting at Valley of Fire |url=https://www.ktnv.com/news/crime/authorities-detail-events-that-led-to-first-fatal-officer-involved-shooting-at-valley-of-fire |website=KTNV |date=17 July 2024}}</ref>
==See also== *{{commons-inline|extratext= (image gallery)}} *Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area *Little Finland and Gold Butte Backcountry Byway *Moapa River Indian Reservation
==References== <references> <ref name=nsp>{{cite web |url=http://parks.nv.gov/parks/valley-of-fire |title=Valley of Fire State Park |work=Nevada State Parks |publisher=Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |access-date=January 24, 2017}}</ref>
<ref name=parkhistory>{{cite web |url=http://parks.nv.gov/learn/park-histories/valley-of-fire-history |title=History of Valley of Fire State Park |work=Nevada State Parks |publisher=Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |access-date=January 24, 2017}}</ref>
<ref name=statelands>{{cite web |url=http://lands.nv.gov/uploads/documents/PORTFOLIO_Master_List_LATEST_ONE_-_PUBLIC_POSTING_NRS_331.110A.pdf |title=Inventory of State Lands |publisher=Nevada Division of State Lands |date= April 27, 2018 |access-date=November 25, 2019}}</ref>
<ref name=plan>{{cite web |url=http://parks.nv.gov/wp-content/uploads/2012/ValleyofFire/VF_2010_GMP.pdf |title=Valley of Fire State Park General Management Plan 2010 |publisher=Nevada Division of State Parks |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813114823/http://parks.nv.gov/wp-content/uploads/2012/ValleyofFire/VF_2010_GMP.pdf |archive-date=August 13, 2012 |access-date=August 4, 2016}}</ref>
<ref name=nnl>{{cite web |url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nnlandmarks/site.htm?Site=VAFI-NV |title=Valley of Fire |work=National Natural Landmarks |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=January 24, 2017}}</ref>
<ref name=byways>{{cite web |url=http://www.nevadadot.com/Content.aspx?id=398&terms=scenic%20byways |title=Nevada's Scenic Byways |publisher=Nevada Department of Transportation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517151502/http://www.nevadadot.com/Content.aspx?id=398&terms=scenic%20byways |archive-date=May 17, 2014 |access-date=September 19, 2008}}</ref>
<ref name=markers>{{cite web |url=http://shpo.nv.gov/nevadas-historical-markers/historical-markers/nevadas-first-state-park |title=Nevada's First State Park |work=Nevada’s State Historical Markers |publisher=State Historic Preservation Office |access-date=January 24, 2017}}</ref>
<ref name="moviesites">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iXC3BwAAQBAJ&pg=PA138 |title=In Search of Western Movie Sites |publisher=Jerry Schneider Enterprises |page=140 |author=Carlo Gaberscek, Kenny Stier |year=2014 |isbn=978-1312625020 |access-date=August 3, 2016}}</ref>
<ref name="totalrecall">{{cite web |url=https://www.nevadafilm.com/scene-in-nevada-total-recall/ |title=Scene in Nevada: Total Recall |date=May 16, 2016 |publisher=Nevada Film Office |access-date=July 7, 2016}}</ref>
<ref name=kolvetford>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jb7TpOojyRMC&pg=PA101 |title=The Civilian Conservation Corps in Nevada: From Boys to Men |author1=Renee Corona Kolvet |author2=Victoria Ford |publisher=University of Nevada Press |year=2006 |pages=101–102 |isbn=978-0-87417-676-6 |access-date=May 3, 2017}}</ref>
<ref name=moapa>{{cite web |url=http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/comprehensive-planning/advanced-planning/Documents/MoapaValleyResources.pdf |title=Moapa Valley Trails Study Pre-Design Existing Data Review |author1=Diane L. Winslow |author2=Jeffrey R. Wedding |publisher=University of Nevada |year=2009 |page=50 |access-date=May 3, 2017}}</ref> </references>
==External links== {{commons category}} *[http://parks.nv.gov/parks/valley-of-fire Valley of Fire State Park] Nevada State Parks *[http://parks.nv.gov/forms/Valley_of_Fire_Map_1_SE_HWY_162_NET_otln_reduced_2014-02-10.pdf Valley of Fire State Park Trail Map] Nevada State Parks
{{Nevada state parks}} {{Las Vegas Valley}}
{{authority control}}
Category:State parks of Nevada Category:Parks in Clark County, Nevada Category:Protected areas of the Mojave Desert Category:Protected areas established in 1935 Category:1935 establishments in Nevada Category:Civilian Conservation Corps in Nevada Category:Landforms of Clark County, Nevada Category:Geologic formations with imbedded sand dunes Category:Petroglyphs in Nevada Category:Rock formations of Nevada Category:Sandstone in the United States Category:National Natural Landmarks in Nevada Category:Nevada historical markers