Valley of Fire is located in the Mojave Desert approximately 58 miles Northeast of the Las Vegas Strip. Valley of Fire is the oldest Nevada State Park and was dedicated in 1935. Valley of Fire State Park covers an area of approximately 35,000 acres. Valley of Fire was named for the magnificent red sandstone formations that were formed from great shifting sand dunes during the age of the dinosaurs more than 150 million years ago (Mesozoic Era). These brilliant sandstone formations can appear to be on fire when reflecting the sun’s rays. Other important rock formations include limestone, shale, and conglomerates.
Valley of Fire is marked as Nevada Historical Marker #150 (Nevada’s First State Park). Valley of Fire Road is the main road through the park. The 10.5 mile (16.9 km) road connects the east and west entrances of the park and was designated as a Nevada Scenic Byway in 1995.
Prehistoric people of Valley of Fire included the Anasazi, who were famers from the nearby fertile Moapa Valley. Their visits to Valley of Fire probably involved hunting, food gathering, and religious ceremonies. There are fine examples of rock art (petroglyphs) at several locations throughout Valley of Fire.
Valley of Fire Plants and Flowers
Valley of Fire is dominated by creosote bush, burro bush, and brittlebush. Cactus species such as beaver tail and cholla are also abundant. The springtime blooms with desert marigold, indigo bush, and desert mallow. This makes the park look especially spectacular in the spring.
Valley of Fire Wildlife
Valley of Fire is teeming with wildlife, but most of the animals that reside in Valley of Fire are nocturnal. There are many species of lizards and snakes, as well as coyote, bobcat, kit fox, skunk, jackrabbit, and antelope ground squirrel. It is always a nice treat to see desert big horn sheep and you are likely to see sheep in the middle of the day. The desert tortoise is a rare species and is protected by state law.
Valley of Fire Climate
Winters are mild with temperatures ranging from freezing to 75 degrees. Daily summer highs often exceed 100 degrees. Summer temperatures can vary significantly from day to night. Average annual rainfall is four inches, coming from light winter showers and summer thunderstorms.
Regent - Michele Mueller
Vice Regent - Sharon Stingley
Chaplain - Mary Like
Recording Secretary - Alexx Killgore
Corresponding Secretary - Sherri McMahon
Treasurer - Kristine Uravich
Registrar - Vickie Bloxham
Historian - Victoria Guy
Librarian - Pamela Sitton
Parliamentarian - Ann Phillips
Advisors: Alexx Killgore
Joan Dimmitt
Rosalie O'Grady
Esther Lee Clevens
Martha Gordon
Louise May Ray
Elizabeth Green
Patricia Dell'aira
Wilda Seward
Rebecca Eisenman
Wendy Kelly
Vikki Allen-Kyger
Shirley Dunphy
Alexx Killgore (formerly Green)
