Day Trip from Las Vegas: Valley of Fire State Park
We realized a long time ago that we were not likely to get rich in Las Vegas via our play on quarter slot machines, dollar video poker or the occasional $5 blackjack hand. We have learned, however, that during our visits to Sin City, we can enrich ourselves and expand our experiences by occasionally Leaving Las Vegas and hitting the road for day trips to nearby sights and attractions.
Las Vegas day trip to the Valley of Fire State Park
There are a number of great treasures found within a couple of hours of Sin City's city limits. They offer extreme variety in elevation, environment, and temperature. From the 12,000 ft. Mt. Charleston to the minus 282 ft below sea level Badwater Basin, an array of geologic and geographic adventures await your beck and call. We have chronicled some of these excursions on this site, and if you find yourself wanting a manageable day trip from Las Vegas, allow me to recommend the Valley of Fire State Park, located about 50 miles east of Vegas.
Hike just a half a mile to a captivating fire wave
We decide to make a repeat visit to this state park on a recent trip to Las Vegas because we always enjoy our time there, and we wanted to witness it on the cool and beautiful February day we were presented with on this journey.
After a few hours of getting reacquainted with some old and familiar visual friends, we decided to drive down the main park road a few more miles before turning around to head toward the park's exit. We pulled into a parking area that we had used before and got out to read the informational signs describing the nearby highlights this parking area gave access to. The signs refreshed our memory banks of a short hike we had taken a few years back, and because lunch was already overdue, we opted to not go down that path again. As we were returning to the car, we noticed a few people emerging from a trail on the opposite side of the road. A sign, that we had not noticed before, read Fire Wave .6 miles ahead. A photo depicting the attraction was present and it lured us in as quick as a thermometer rises here in the summer.
We followed the trail that was etched in the sand and marked by the footprints of others. Occasionally, a sign or a small stack of rocks would direct us when the obvious became less so and when the trail sort of melted into the open expanse. Within 15 minutes, we came to an area that was a distant cousin of the photo we had seen. We thought that perhaps this was our destination and that we just needed to view it from a different angle or something. While trying to answer the eternal and universal question of "are we there, yet", we noticed a couple of hikers about 100 yards ahead who were convinced that they were not there yet.
We mutually concurred that the best was yet to come, and we headed out in the direction of the others. The sandy surface soon was replaced by solid rock that offered a steady but gentle climb toward its defined but subtle crest. As we walked, we noticed that parallel and multi-hued veins, that were either straight or rolling depending on the topography, appeared on the smooth rock top. It was as though they were leading us to The Fire Wave, and they did.
The Fire Wave is just as advertised. It dips and curls and rises and falls, like a wave.
Its color can be like the red in a flame, depending on the time of day and the position of the sun. We have been fortunate enough to hike to The Wave on the Arizona/Utah border, and this is a mini version of that major league bucket list item. And, unlike The Wave, this smaller version is much more accessible for those interested. No winning the lottery required, no 6-mile hike, no hiring a guide, etc.
We were excited to see this Fire Wave. Thrilled, in fact. We bounced around taking photos trying to best capture its movements and color. We posed in it and with it. We sat on it and felt it.
We saw it and looked at it. We studied it and appreciated it. This unique geologic occurrence conjured up thoughts of swirly marble chocolate icing and cakes of multi-layers. It was delicious to experience it. And, then it reminded us that we had not yet eaten lunch.
We lingered a few more minutes before we turned our back on this graceful sculpture of the earth's surface. Our short jaunt back to the car seemed much shorter than the walk in since I guess a walk to the known is quicker than the walk to the unknown.
We were so glad that we went the extra mile (well, 1.2 miles in total), to explore the Fire Wave. The temperature was only about 70 degrees the day we visited, but it felt much warmer. Shade is a rare commodity in these parts, and bringing in your own water is a must. In the summer, this hike, though relatively short, is probably best suited for the early morning. We have seen temps of near 120 in this park so some discretion and planning is advised.
This Nevada State Park, The Valley of Fire, is well worth the journey down I-15 for a memorable day trip from Las Vegas. Unique rock formations, petroglyphs, dazzling geologic colors and endless vistas are all made accessible by good roads that wind up and down around and through the park's heart and soul.
The Valley of Fire is a hot property, in more ways than one, and a great way to burn off some steam before heading back to the nonstop excitement that is Las Vegas.
Do you have a favorite Las Vegas day trip?
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.