Valley of Fire State Park is a public recreation and nature preservation area covering nearly 46,000 acres (19,000 ha) located 16 miles (26 km) south of Overton, Nevada.[4] The state park derives its name from red sandstone formations, the Aztec Sandstone, which formed from shifting sand dunes 150 million years ago.[5] These features, which are the centerpiece of the park's attractions, often appear to be on fire when reflecting the sun's rays.[6] It is Nevada's oldest state park, as commemorated with Nevada Historical Marker #150.[7] It was designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1968.[8]
Complex uplifting and faulting of the region, followed by extensive erosion, have created the present 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.[5]
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 span of occupation 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.[5]
The creation of Valley of Fire State Park began with transfer of 8,760 acres (3,550 ha) of federal land to the state of Nevada in 1931.[7] Work on the park was initiated by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933. During the years of their employment, which continued into the early 1940s, the CCC workers built campgrounds, trails, stone visitor cabins, ramadas, and roads.[9] The park opened in 1934; it achieved official designation by the state legislature in 1935.[6]
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 54 °F (12 °C) to 75 °F (24 °C). 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 winter months. Daily summer highs usually range from 100 °F (38 °C) to 115 °F (46 °C) and on occasion may reach near 120 °F (49 °C). Thunderstorms from the Southwestern Monsoon can produce heavy showers during summer. The average annual precipitation is 6.50" (165.1mm).
Climate data for Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1972–present)
Valley of Fire Road is the main road accessing and traversing through the park. The 10.5-mile (16.9 km) section of the road between the east and west entrances of the park was officially designated as a Nevada Scenic Byway on June 30, 1995.[12]
Activities and amenities
The park has a visitors center plus facilities for picnicking, camping, and hiking.[4] 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.[5] The park also preserves three stone cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Film history
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 scenes from planet Veridian III from Star Trek Generations were filmed here in 1994.[15] The Silica Dome is particularly highlighted for Star Trek fans as the site of iconic starship captain James T. Kirk's death and burial.
Law enforcement incidents
On July 10, 2024, a park ranger shot and killed a man in relation to some kind of disturbance call. As of July 11th, the justification for the shooting and the identities of the ranger and the man killed have not been released and the park was closed for two days.[16]
