Top 3 Best Hikes in Valley of Fire State Park for a One-Day Adventure

Valley of Fire State Park is a truly spectacular place to visit for a plethora of reasons. First and foremost, the vast array of colors sprayed across its landscape are spectacular. The hiking trails here are also suitable for people of all ages/athletic abilities. Many are short in length, with minimal elevation gain, making this the perfect weekend escape for families looking to spend some time outdoors. It’s also home to several iconic, naturally formed rocks like Elephant Rock and a natural arch.

Unfortunately, many of us do not have the luxury of time. Our busy schedules beckon us to our cubes Monday through Friday, with little time over the weekend to explore. Luckily, although expansive, many of Valley of Fire State Park’s highlights can be seen in just a single day. Before you plan your trip to this 48,000-acre wonder, check out our top 3 recommended hikes to get the most out of your time at Valley of Fire State Park.

Fire Wave Trail

No trip to Valley of Fire State Park would be complete without walking on the Fire Wave Trail. Likely you’ve seen photos of “The Wave” in Kanab, Utah. Similar to The Wave, the Fire Wave Trail features undulating forms on sandstone rock and dramatic stripes that resemble a wave. However, the main difference between The Wave and the Fire Wave Trail is you don’t need to enter a lottery system to hike here. At just 1.5 miles round trip and 175 feet of elevation change, the Fire Wave Trail is the perfect midday hike, when the shadows are subdued.

Elephant Rock

It’s rare to find a rock naturally formed to resemble an animal. It’s even more rare to find a rock shaped like an elephant. Valley of Fire State Park is home to the infamous and widely photographed “Elephant Rock”, a weathered sandstorm arch formed over the years. Elephant Rock is easily accessible, a convenient 0.5-mile out-and-back walk with minimal elevation gain. This is a good, quick last stop on your way out to watch the sunset dip behind the horizon and really turn this state park into fire.

Mouse’s Tank Trail

Like most hikes found at Valley of Fire State Park, Mouse’s Tank is short in length and visually stunning. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, Mouse’s Tank also features an abundance of Native American rock art. These petroglyphs may be thousands of years old but they are still clearly visible to this day. The name Mouse’s Tank is not to be confused with the small rodent. Instead the name comes from a Paiute Indian named Mouse who hid in this canyon. The “tank” is a stream-worn basin among the rocks that holds water during long, dry periods.

Bonus: White Domes

The White Domes Trail is a great add-on hike if you have the time and energy to take on one last trail. At just a little over a mile in length, this hike won’t take you long to complete and the views are worth the effort. A short loop takes you through a narrow slot canyon, across a wash, and past the remains of an old movie set. With its vast array of colors, wind-worn rocks, and staggering rock structures to climb for even better views, this one last hike is worth adding to your list. It was, after all, worthy of being the set of an old western film.