Lynn WiezyckiThere are some places you are drawn to over and over! Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada is one of those places for me.
I was on my way to Death Valley National Park after flying into Las Vegas. I picked up my rental SUV and decided I had enough time for a side trip to the Valley of Fire before heading west.
The Valley of Fire State Park is not far from Las Vegas but not exactly on the way to Death Valley but I really wanted to go back there!
As I came through a gap in the ridge just before the west gate to the park, I knew I had made the right decision. My first ever sight of Long-Horned Sheep! I grabbed my camera and shot from the window of the SUV!
There is a pull-off with an information kiosk and restrooms right after the gate. I stopped there to stretch my legs and get a good view of the valley.
I quickly got back on the road as my time was limited. The roads go up and down and around the many red rock formations.
I drove to the Visitor Center and spent a few minutes there.
The Visitor Center has a Gift Store (had to get my obligatory coffee mug and lapel pin) and Information Area. Behind the center are several bird feeders that the birds were flocking to but I did not have my long lens with me so I just got to enjoy them for a few minutes.
There is a trail that goes back toward the ridge so I walked back there and found a natural amphitheater with a few added stone benches.
There is a side road that goes in front of the Visitor Center and then straight up the ridge. I drove up there but did not have time to go to the end where the last time I had visited we had done some hiking!
I turned back and in this direction, the light was not quite so glaring!
As I headed up the Valley of Fire I stopped a few more times to make some more desert images!
I got down close (not too close) to a cactus.
At one point I pulled off at the Mouse Tanks parking area and then walked back down the road to a small ridge to get this grand vista view!
It was getting time for me to head back west so I turned back toward the west gate, happy that I had started my 2022 western adventure with a stop at the beautiful Valley of Fire State Park!
When you visit Las Vegas, take some time away from the hustle and bustle of that crazy place and take in the colors and sights of this wonderful state park!
Click on any image for a larger version and to purchase a print OR visit my gallery for these and even more images: Valley of Fire
My next post will be Part 1 of my visit to Death Valley National Park in California!
That is all for now!
Lynn
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