Valley of Fire State Park
Dedicated in 1935, Valley of Fire is Nevada’s oldest and largest state park. Its dramatic name comes from the red sandstone formations that make up this equally dramatic landscape These features, which are the centerpiece of the park’s attractions, often appear to be on fire when reflecting the sun’s rays.
Other important rock formations include limestones, shales, and conglomerates. Prehistoric users of the Valley of Fire included the Basket Maker people and later the Anasazi Pueblo farmers from the nearby fertile Moapa Valley. Fine examples of rock art left by these ancient peoples can be found at several sites within the park inrock formations that are covered in petroglyphs.
Valley of Fire itself is composed largely of a vibrantly red, iron oxide bearing form of sandstone, contains numerous natural arches and has been a scenic setting for several films and television shows.
