Valley of Fire State Park
Nevada · State Park · Southwest Region
Valley of Fire is 40,000 acres of fiery red Aztec sandstone formed 150 million years ago, arches, beehives, elephant rocks, and rippled canyon walls 50 miles north of Las Vegas. The color is intense: deep crimson and rust and orange that at golden hour looks like the entire desert is on fire. The most accessible desert landscape near Las Vegas, and it feels completely removed from the strip.
- Best season
- October through April
- Permit required
- Yes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Max group size
- 30 people
- Permit info verified
- April 2026
Permit Information
Special Use Permit required from Nevada State Parks. Apply at least 60 days in advance via the park's SUP office. Permit typically under $500. Group use fees $25 $400 separately. Commercial activities including weddings are prohibited Dec 1 to 14 during the annual maintenance closure. Contact: 702 397 2088 or vofsp@parks.nv.gov.
Seasonal Planning
October through April is the prime window. Summer temperatures reach 110 to 120°F. Spring (March through April) is ideal: wildflowers, warm temperatures, manageable crowds. 90 minutes from Las Vegas.
Planning Your Day at Valley of Fire State Park
One-Spot Day
Fire Wave can carry the whole day for a small group. The 1.5 mile roundtrip is gentle, the swirling red and cream bands work as both ceremony backdrop and portrait set, and golden hour lights the wave patterns like no other rock in the Mojave. One short hike, one iconic location.
Ceremony + Portraits Split
Hold vows at the White Domes Loop where the red slot canyon and white sandstone domes meet, then drive a few minutes back up Valley of Fire Road to Fire Wave for portraits as the sun drops. Two of the most photographed formations in Nevada in one short evening.
A Note on Light
Late afternoon through the last hour before sunset is the headline window. The red Aztec sandstone saturates to deep crimson and shadows turn purple. Sunrise is quieter and lights the east faces in clean warm gold. Summer midday reaches 110 to 120 degrees and should be avoided.
Ceremony Spots at Valley of Fire State Park
- Fire Wave — Ceremony on swirling red and white sandstone waves, the most photogenic formation in the park
- White Domes Loop — Short loop through a narrow red sandstone slot canyon with white domed formations above