Las Vegas to Valley of Fire
Distance, hours, closures and weather for a day trip from the city
Distance, Route and Setting
Valley of Fire State Park lies in the Mojave Desert, and the drive from Las Vegas covers 50 miles (80 km) to the northeast. The closest settlement to the park is Overton. A notice on the park's page announces a temporary closure of the West Entrance, and the route from Las Vegas may be affected. Visitors who take Uber or Lyft from Las Vegas can be stranded, as a return ride is often unavailable.
Valley of Fire was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1968. Ancestral Puebloans, farmers from the nearby Moapa Valley, occupied the area from about 300 BC to 1150 AD.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Distance from Las Vegas | 50 miles (80 km), to the northeast |
| Desert setting | Mojave Desert |
| National Natural Landmark designation | 1968 |
| Ancestral Puebloan occupation | About 300 BC to 1150 AD |
Opening Hours and Day-Use Entry
The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset, and the visitor center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Day-trip visitors do not need a reservation for day use of the park. Each year the park closes to all visitors from December 1 through December 14, a span of 14 days.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Park hours | Daily, sunrise to sunset |
| Visitor center hours | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
| Reservation for day use | Not needed for day-trip visitors |
| Annual closure to all visitors | December 1 through December 14 |
Trail Closures, Heat and Weather
Many of the park's trails are closed each year from May 15 to September 30. Summer temperatures at Valley of Fire may on occasion reach near 120 °F (49 °C), and hiking in high heat is dangerous even on shorter trails. Southwestern Monsoon thunderstorms can produce heavy showers at Valley of Fire during summer. Winter overnight lows range from the mid 30s to low 50s °F (3 to 12 °C).
Tours from Las Vegas
Tours and activities
Questions About the Trip
How far is Valley of Fire from Las Vegas?
The distance is 50 miles (80 km), heading northeast from Las Vegas into the Mojave Desert.
Do day-trip visitors need a reservation?
No reservation is needed by day-trip visitors for day use of the park.
What are the opening hours?
The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset, and the visitor center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
When is the park closed to all visitors?
The park closes to all visitors from December 1 through December 14 each year.
When are many trails closed?
Many of the park's trails are closed each year from May 15 to September 30.
Is a ride-share a dependable way back to Las Vegas?
Visitors who take Uber or Lyft to the park can be stranded, as a return ride is often unavailable.
Is there a closure that may affect the route from Las Vegas?
The park's page carries a notice of a temporary closure of the West Entrance, which may affect the route.
Which settlement is closest to the park?
Overton is the settlement closest to Valley of Fire State Park.