Valley of Fire Tours and Guided Activities

Kinds of tours and activities

The guided Drop Slot and Pinnacles hike is a very strenuous loop of about 3 miles on an unmarked route, with 700 feet of elevation gain. Indoor talks of about 30 minutes on park history, geology and wildlife have been held in the Visitor Center front theater.

Park staff and kiosks hold the program schedules, and group presentations can be arranged on request. Hike suggestions of varying length and terrain come from asking at the Visitor Center. Rock climbing is allowed only in specific areas, and the Visitor Center is the place to ask about them.

A pale dirt road curves past desert scrub toward red sandstone rock formations under a clear blue sky. — A dirt road winds through dry desert scrub toward rugged red sandstone outcrops beneath a deep blue sky. Photo: Bernard Spragg. NZ, CC0

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Seasons and timing

The summer-heat closure of many Valley of Fire trails runs annually from May 15 to September 30. White Domes Loop and Fire Wave fall under the same closure dates every year. Park trails are also closed from sunset to sunrise each day, except on the specific trails and dates of special night hikes.

The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset, and the visitor center keeps hours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In spring, desert marigold, indigo bush and desert mallow often bloom spectacularly along park roads.

Length and terrain of listed options

Length, duration and terrain of listed options
Option	Length or duration	Detail
Drop Slot and Pinnacles guided hike	About 3 miles	Very strenuous loop, 700 feet of elevation gain, unmarked route
Elephant Rock Loop	1.25 miles	Sandy and rugged terrain, one area of uneven carved stone steps
Visitor Center indoor talk	About 30 minutes	History, geology and wildlife, held in the front theater
Fire Wave trailhead	Five miles north of the Visitor Center	Parking lot P3

Sand and rugged ground make up the Elephant Rock Loop, a 1.25-mile circuit where one stretch has uneven carved stone steps. The Drop Slot and Pinnacles route is described as very strenuous, with 700 feet of elevation gain over about 3 miles.

Reservations, permits and park rules

Day-use visits to the park involve no reservation. At the park gate, a self-serve kiosk takes the day-use entrance fee on arrival. The park has two campgrounds with 72 camping units in total, plus three group-use campsites, each for up to 45 people and bookable by reservation only.

Pets are welcome on a leash no longer than six feet, but not in the Visitor Center. Visitors using Uber or Lyft can be stranded in the park; return rides are often unavailable.

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Tours and activities

Tour questions

What guided hike is listed for Valley of Fire?

The guided Drop Slot and Pinnacles hike is a very strenuous loop of about 3 miles with 700 feet of elevation gain on an unmarked route.

Are there indoor talks?

Short talks of about 30 minutes on park history, geology and wildlife have been held in the Visitor Center front theater.

Where can visitors find program schedules?

Park staff and kiosks have them, and group presentations can be arranged on request.

When are many trails closed?

Many trails, including White Domes Loop and Fire Wave, are closed every year from May 15 to September 30.

Are trails open after dark?

Park trails are closed from sunset to sunrise each day, apart from the specific trails and dates of special night hikes.

Do day visitors have to book ahead?

No booking is required for a day-use visit. Campsites are handled differently, with every one booked by reservation.

Where is rock climbing allowed?

Only in specific areas, which the Visitor Center can point out.

Are pets allowed?

Pets are welcome on a leash of six feet at most, but they are not allowed in the Visitor Center.

Tours and Guided Activities at Valley of Fire