Exploring the natural sites in the Valley of Fire State Park is one of the best activities to partake in within this beautifully scenic state park. As I had mentioned in my guide covering visiting the Valley of Fire, examining this region is among the top things to do outside Las Vegas. So, if you’re planning to be in the Vegas area, I highly recommend checking out this geological wonder.
Of course, the ideal means to experience this place is by hiking one of the trails situated within the Valley of Fire region. There are various great routes here, ranging from brief nature walks that can be undertaken with children, to more extended, solitary off-road treks.
To help you choose which trail to take, I’m sharing the 10 best hikes in Valley of Fire. I’ll also provide some hiking tips and a trail map of Valley of Fire, so keep reading!
Table of Contents
1. Fire Wave Trail, the most popular Valley of Fire hike
The Fire Wave Trail is one of the top hikes in the Valley of Fire, thanks to its gorgeous scenery. It’s a heavily frequented route that’s good for all skill levels.
The Fire Wave trailhead is on the western side of Parking Lot #3. At the start, you’ll descend some sandstone ridges before hiking slightly uphill alongside White Domes Road. Then, the path levels out and curves past Gibraltar Rock.
In this section of the journey, the colorful rock formations will begin to appear in alternating shades of beige, orange and red. After approximately half a mile, there is a low-lying area that provides a good vantage point for observing these undulating stripes. Upon reaching the Fire Wave, take the time to admire its natural beauty, paying special attention to the most prominent bands visible on the western side.
The Valley of Fire scenic hiking trail is the one we undertook when we took a Valley of Fire excursion from Las Vegas. So, if you don’t want to drive to the state park yourself, I recommend booking this tour.
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Distance: 1.5 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Route type: Out & Back
- Obstacles: Descent into depression basin
- Altitude Increase 236 ft
2. White Domes Trail, another awesome hike in the Valley of Fire
Another scenic Valley of Fire hike is the White Domes Trail. The route is just over a mile long and gets plenty of foot traffic, so it’s good for kids. This loop trail will take you past various geological formations and beautiful vistas.
The beginning of the trail is on White Domes Road, and right away, you’ll hike through lovely sandstone structures. As you go down a slight incline, you can see an arrangement of rock formations and domes of varied colors. You’ll have to go up some stone steps that are part of a sizable boulder, then walk down to an open amphitheater area with old movie set ruins.
Continue along a narrow passageway between rock walls and emerge on the opposite side as you hike past even more astounding rock structures, dry riverbeds, and the White Domes. You have the option to connect to the Fire Wave Trail and tackle the Seven Wonders Loop, a path I`ll discuss next.
If you’d like to do this route, download our Valley of Fire White Domes Trail map below!
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Distance: 1.1 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Route type: Loop
- Obstacles: Stone steps
- Altitude Increase 177 ft
3. Seven Wonders Loop, an interesting Valley of Fire hike to do
If seeing multiple incredible sights on a single hike interests you, the Seven Wonders Loop may be fitting. As hinted by its name, this route takes travelers on a journey to experience some of the park`s most astonishing features, rendering it one of the best hikes in Valley of Fire.
That said, this hiking path in the Valley of Fire is relatively obscure and not detailed on many visitor guides. If you want to complete this route, I suggest downloading our trail map, so you don’t get lost. You can also combine this route with the White Domes Trail, which will add about another hour to the loop.
The Seven Wonders path starts at the parking area situated along White Domes Road, also known as Mouse`s Tank Road. From there, the trail travels southwest, passing the Fire Cave, Thunderstorm Arch, and Crazy Hill. As hikers traverse the White Domes landscape, they will arrive at Kaolin Wash, leading them to Striped Rock and Pink Canyon.
The last natural wonder you’ll see is the Fire Wave, a short Valley of Fire hike I mentioned earlier.
- Duration: 2 hours
- Distance: 1.8 miles
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Route type: Loop
- Obstacles:
- Altitude Increase 193 ft
4. Petroglyph Canyon via Mouse’s Tank Trail, an easy Valley of Fire trail you shouldn’t miss
If you have time to visit the Grand Canyon for three days, then I recommend hiking down to the canyon on the initial day, back up the next day and relax (if you still have vitality, perhaps you can head to a viewpoint to see the sunset), and take the excursion by helicopter or airplane to see the canyon from the air on your last day .♣
The starting point is a bit south of the Petroglyph Canyon Parking Lot. You’ll hike through a canyon watercourse and pass several examples of ancient Native American rock art.
The tail end of the trail takes a left turn and concludes at Mouse’s Tank. This natural hollow is named after a Paiute Indian nicknamed Mouse, who utilized the hollow as a watering hole while secreting himself in the canyon.
Considering its excellent collection of petroglyphs and easy terrain, this is one of the best Valley of Fire trails for younger visitors. All ages are sure to enjoy the hike!
- Duration: 45 minutes-1 hour
- Distance: 0.8 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Route type: Out & Back
- Obstacles: None
- Gain in elevation: 55 ft
5. Rainbow Vista Trail, the best hike in Valley of Fire for incredible views
The Rainbow Vista Trail at Valley of Fire is a colorful experience that you won’t forget. You can find the trailhead at the parking area on Mouse’s Tank Road, just south of Fire Canyon Road.
From the very beginning, you’ll have incredible views of the surrounding landscape featuring reds, pinks, oranges, yellows, greens, and whites. The sweeping panoramas reveal millions of years of erosion and oxidation, as seen in the canyons, ridges, and valleys along the trail.
After hiking past large sandstone formations, you’ll walk through the open desert, then climb to the Rainbow Vista crest and take in the views. The last part of this Valley of Fire hiking trail takes you to the Fire Canyon Overlook, another gorgeous vista.
Parts of the trail lack signage and require navigating uneven terrain. However, the route remains quite straightforward and rewarding.
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Distance: 1.1 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Route type: Out & Back
- Obstacles: Uneven terrain
- Gain in elevation: 95 ft
6. Elephant Rock Loop, one of the best Valley of Fire hikes to do with kids
If you’re visiting the park with kids, plan to see the Elephant Rock Loop hike. It’s a simple walk guiding visitors to one of the most recognizable geological structures in the Valley of Fire scenery.
The Elephant Rock formation stands out prominently due to its distinctive sandstone structure. Visitors of every age find delight in seeing it. Its shape that cannot be mistaken clearly depicts an elephant`s trunk and thick body. While it can be seen from the Scenic Drive Road, hikers will get the best views if they make the trek. Just be mindful of the resident lizards and snakes in the vicinity.
This attraction is near the park’s east entrance, so you shouldn’t have any difficulties locating it. Additionally, it’s a brief and simple Valley of Fire hike that can be done with little children.
- Duration: 20 minutes
- Distance: 0.3 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Route type: Out & Back
- Obstacles: Snakes
- Gain in elevation: 52 ft
7. Prospect Trail, a rewarding Valley of Fire hike
Experienced hikers wanting remote trails should explore the Valley of Fire Prospect Trail.
This off-road trail located within the Valley of Fire between the main highway and White Domes offers hiking through fascinating scenery. The White Domes Loop could also be included once reaching the end of the Prospect Trail, creating a rewarding though lengthy experience. That said, this route already provides a good amount to explore.
While much of the trail traverses a drainage area, also note diverse desert flora and fauna, watchfully for bighorn sheep and rattlesnakes!
The diverse rock formations are equally pleasing to behold, ranging widely in size, color and hue including red, orange, yellow, gray, and white. It’s truly a marvelous trail, but there is no water or shade along the path, so prepare accordingly.
- Duration: 4 hours
- Distance: 8.8 miles
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Route type: Out & Back
- Obstacles: Elevation gain, rattlesnakes
- Altitude Increase 800 ft
8. Natural Arches Trail, another beautiful Valley of Fire hiking trail
The route through the Valley of Fire’sNatural Arches Trail offers a tranquil path worthwhile considering if wanting a serene hike. As signified by its name, you’ll find natural arches along the route, but other sights too. The trail’s namesake arch has since collapsed, but there are several others visible.
In addition to the arches, this Valley of Fire hike is renowned for its geological beauty. Hikers traverse a wash and some lovely desert scenery with hints of color from the wildflowers and rock structures. Much of the path is sandy, creating an uneven terrain, but the white sand against the pink canyon walls is exquisite.
Similar to the Prospect Trail, this route is mostly unmarked, so be certain to download the below trail map. Using the park`s east entrance, you`ll find the trailhead shortly after passing the Elephant Rock Trailhead along Scenic Drive. A signpost should indicate the Natural Arches Trail to the north and Charlie`s Spring to the south.
- Duration: 2 hours
- Distance: 4.2 miles
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Route type: Out & Back
- Obstacles: Uneven terrain
- Altitude Increase 229 ft
In this depiction, you can see how each of the regions are apportioned at a glance. ♣
9. Pinnacles Loop, another Valley of Fire hike you should do
Pinnacles Loop is another off-road trail in the Valley of Fire unveiling a concealed natural wonder. This hidden gem provides a distinctive landscape of rugged spires and beautiful vistas, so don’t pass up the opportunity!
The initial part of the hike involves sandy and rocky terrain but proves worthwhile as the trail is clearly marked. Upon reaching the pinnacles, taking time to admire the clustered rocky peaks and intricately formed structures is worthwhile. A variety of cacti and colorful rock formations striped in red and purple can also be seen.
The final portion of this route requires a bit of climbing over rocks, though it is not too difficult.
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Distance: 4.8 miles
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Route type: Loop
- Obstacles: Uneven terrain, snakes
- Altitude Increase 429 ft
10. Balancing Rock Trail, another short Valley of Fire hike you’ll enjoy
Finally, the Balancing Rock Trail is a brief and effortless loop that you can find directly outside the Visitor Center. This Valley of Fire trail leads to one of the park’s most widely known formations, Balanced Rock.
Follow this narrow route as it guides you around this impressive formation. You’ll be able to view the rock from all angles and find petroglyphs along the way too. The trail is very easy, with only slight changes in elevation, so it’s great for families and inexperienced hikers. Plus, it’s near the main highway, so you can drive up Mouse’s Tank Road afterward to explore the other hikes I pointed out earlier.
- Duration: 15 minutes
- Distance: 0.3 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Route type: Out & Back
- Obstacles: None
- Elevation gained: 3 ft
Valley of Fire hiking tips
Now that I’ve shared the best Valley of Fire trails, here are some tips to keep in mind during your visit:
- The park typically experiences hot and dry weather, so prepare for conditions. Wear loose, light-colored clothing and hiking boots or shoes. Sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen are also essential.
- Bring plenty of water and snacks; you’ll want to stay hydrated the whole time. Note there is little shade and no water along these routes.
- Download the Valley of Fire hiking map below and retain it on your device. This way, you can access it even without cell service. It’ll be particularly useful if you take any of the unmarked trails.
Follow these tips and you’ll receive a excellent time hiking in the Valley of Fire!
Valley of Fire trail map
Lastly, I want to share this Valley of Fire trail map so you can easily plan your route itinerary. Downloading it in the Maps.me app allows keeping it handy on your device for quick access while exploring.
Reliable Mid-Range Hotel Option:NU Hotel or Even Hotel Brooklyn
If you have any inquiries, feel free to leave a comment below so I can offer assistance. Travel safely!
