Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles.

No A.I. was used in this post.

Less than an hour from Vegas is incredibly gorgeous Valley of Fire State Park.

We stopped by the new (and under construction) visitor centre

Ranger recommended Fire Wave and Seven Wonders Loop.

• 3.1km
• 57m elevation gain

We could decide whether or not to add the White Domes trail when we got to the turn-off.

From the parking lot, we had to decide which direction to hike. The signage is minimal in this park, for good and bad.

Most people seemed to be going clockwise (looking from the top) so we joined them.

It’s ALL good. Endless impressive desert vistas.

Temperatures moderate in early January. Winter is an ideal time to hike the Nevada deserts. This trail was busy with tourists.

(Note that I try not to post photos & videos of people without their permission.)

Slot canyons are almost always dry. But over Christmas / New Years 2025, this area had rains for several days. We had water in some of the canyons.

… Somehow we missed the turnoff to White Domes. Oops.

Next drove to Petroglyph Canyon via Mouse’s Tank Trail.

Here’s the Mouse’s Tank.

Finally we stopped at Atlatl Rock Viewpoint for lunch.

Stairs take you up close to some of the best petroglyphs in the park.

How did they get up there 40,000 years ago?

On the way out, we saw a large herd of Bighorn Sheep.  They seemed entirely nonplussed by tourists. 

We’re already planning future trips. The campgrounds here are excellent.

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