Yes, it is hard to see, but once you do, you can’t unsee it. I felt better about not recognizing it at first when another visitor walked by and asked where it was. Well, I saw more than one elephant, and a couple of other shapes, but I did get the name. It wasn’t until I stopped in front of the sign and looked up when I noticed it. The short walk from the parking lot led to it, though at first I could not figure out where it was or what it was. Elephant Rockīefore leaving the park, we stopped to see Elephant Rock. Throughout the trail, we were surrounded by stunning rock formations, in all colors, shapes and sizes. Once past it, we had a mostly easy stroll, with only occasionally scrambling through rocks and boulders. The beginning was the only steep part of the trail. Descending on a steep slope through large boulders, we were surrounded by colorful rock formations with color swirls in all shades of red. We started the trail walking through sand, eventually passing through two large rock formations. Though we noticed quite a few cars at the trailhead parking lot, we were alone for long stretches of the trail. The 1.25-mile scenic trail lads through some gorgeous rock formations in shapes and colors, besides a few slot canyons. White Domesīy the time we got to White Domes we were ready for a hike.
The views are spectacular, and certainly worth the stop, though you should choose what to see and do in such a large park with many opportunities for scenic stops. We drove through the viewpoints and hiking trails at Rainbow Vista, Fire Canyon, and Fire Wave, only because these sites were crowded seemed to be the most popular stops in the park. Rainbow Vista, Fire Canyon, and Fire Wave If you want to spend the night at the park, one of the campgrounds is in the shadow of the rock formations where Arch Rock stands. You don’t have to hike to see it, the viewpoint is right on the road. Those of us who ever visited Arches or even Bryce Canyon, might find the small arch anticlimactic. 1100.īesides the historical significance, climbing up to the ancient rock art offers a higher views of the surroundings. They also lived in the nearby Moapa Valley in farming communities between 300 B.C. Far from the area I learned to associate with the Ancestral Puebloans, these petroglyphs are nevertheless their work. Other petroglyphs on this rock include different animal figures. A throwing stick, or dart thrower, the atlatl was used by ancient tribes of the area to propel their darts or spears, giving them more force. The rock is named for the petroglyph depicting an atlatl – giving you an opportunity to understand what the ancient tool is. Just climbing the metal stairs near the steep rock is an adventure, but if you take your time to examine the drawings, you’ll learn about the ancient people who lived in the area before us. You’ll find Atlatl Rock on the Scenic Loop Road, showcasing a number of petroglyphs on a rock face high enough to be only reachable by a long, steep staircase. We didn’t camp this time, but spend a good part of the day exploring the park, and here is what we found. And, if you’d like to spend more time there, you’ll find campsites surrounded by all shapes and shades of red rock formations.
Add a few short hikes, and you have an unforgettable experience. Just driving through it you’ll experience some of the most stunning shapes and colors of these sandstone rocks. Less than an hour drive from Vegas, it could not be more opposite from the famous city. Valley of Fire features sandstone rock formed millions of years ago, during the Jurassic period. Though used to red rocks closer to home, I still appreciated the colorful visual experience. We drove a different route, crossing the Valley of Fire. After exploring Death Valley, and returning to Las Vegas for the night, early next morning we got on the road back towards Phoenix. We visited the state park during a road trip adventure through the deserts of the US Southwest. Showcasing all shades of red, its natural hues and shapes rival the nearby Vegas Strip’s artificial colors and lights. In fact, the Nevada state park gets its name from these rocks. Beehive-like shapes, rainbow valleys, multicolored rocks with strips in wavelike patterns, Valley of Fire State Park showcases striking rock formations.
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