Atlatl Rock Campground
Details- Booking
- 3 days to 11 months ahead through Reserve Nevada.
- Sites
- Tent and RV sites, including the park's utility hookup sites.
- The first check for RVs and anyone who wants hookups under the sandstone.
State Park · Nevada
Valley of Fire State Park
Nevada's red-rock showpiece an hour from Las Vegas: the Fire Wave, petroglyphs, a scenic drive, summer trail closures, and two reservable campgrounds.
Field briefing
Valley of Fire State Park changes fast with season and elevation.
Before you go
Valley of Fire is a cool-season park.
From October to mid-May it is one of the best red-rock days in the Southwest; from May 15 to September 30 the marquee trails close for heat, and the park closes outright December 1 to 14 for maintenance. Day use needs no reservation, but campsites now do.
- Best window
- October to April; many signature trails close May 15 to September 30 for heat
- Signature routes
- Fire Wave, Mouse's Tank and Atlatl Rock
- Pack focus
- Water, layers
Valley of Fire in photos
The landmarks worth the trip. Tap any photo to enlarge.
Location
Nevada
Best time
October to April; many signature trails close May 15 to September 30 for heat
Entrance
$10 per vehicle for Nevada plates, $15 for non-Nevada vehicles
When to go
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Spring
High crowds
Warm, bright, and excellent for hiking until trail closures begin May 15.
Pack Sun protection, more water than the mileage suggests, and early starts.
Summer
Moderate crowds
Dangerously hot. The Fire Wave, White Domes, and most marquee trails are closed.
Pack Treat it as a scenic drive with short stops: water, shade discipline, and a dawn timeline.
Fall
High crowds
Cooling fast through October, when closed trails reopen and conditions turn prime.
Pack Sun layer, warm evening layer, and a campsite reservation locked early.
Winter
14F
Moderate crowds
Cool, clear hiking weather with cold nights. The park closes entirely December 1 to 14 for maintenance.
Pack Warm camp insulation, wind layer, and a date check against the December closure.
Top things to do
Fire Wave
The park's modern icon: striped sandstone that earns the name. Closed annually May 15 to September 30 along with most other marquee trails.
Mouse's Tank and Atlatl Rock
The petroglyph core of the park. Mouse's Tank is a short sandy wash lined with rock art, and Atlatl Rock puts a staircase right up to a dense panel.
Mouse's Tank Road and White Domes
The scenic drive north through the best color in the park, ending at the White Domes loop when it is open in the cooler months.
How long to spend
Anchor the day around Fire Wave
Put the access rule first: shuttle, parking, timed-entry, or reservation windows should decide the order of the day. For one day in Valley of Fire State Park, make Fire Wave the non-negotiable, add Mouse's Tank and Atlatl Rock only if the first stop runs clean, and keep Mouse's Tank Road and White Domes as the flexible finish.
- 1Start with Fire Wave: The park's modern icon: striped sandstone that earns the name. Closed annually May 15 to September 30 along with most other marquee trails.
- 2Add Mouse's Tank and Atlatl Rock: The petroglyph core of the park. Mouse's Tank is a short sandy wash lined with rock art, and Atlatl Rock puts a staircase right up to a dense panel.
- 3Use Mouse's Tank Road and White Domes as the optional finish, not as a reason to rush the whole day.
Plan your trip
Turn Valley of Fire's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around conditions
Let season, elevation, and weather set the plan.
Plan your trip
4 quick tools, already seeded for Valley of Fire State Park. Tune the numbers around temperature swings, footing, layers, and how much margin the route needs.
What to pack
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Valley of Fire State Park packing list
0 of 22 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Decide what Valley of Fire State Park asks of your kit before you start checking boxes.
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
- First constraintHydration and exposureWater, Electrolyte mix, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, 4 more
- Route realityFooting and tractionHiking boots, Hiking socks, Trekking poles
- Load choicePack and carry systemDaypack
- If overnightSleep and shelterTent, Sleeping bag, Sleeping pad
Checklist mode
22 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
- Dates and season are set.
- Primary route, campground, or lodge is chosen.
- Water, footwear, and overnight needs are sized.
Gear for Valley of Fire
The buying guides that match what Valley of Fire asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Where to stay
Camp in the park if you can: Atlatl Rock and Arch Rock campgrounds put you inside the sandstone for sunset, dark skies, and dawn starts. Otherwise, Overton and Moapa Valley are the close-by bases, and Las Vegas works as a day-trip launch point about an hour away.
Camping reservations
Camping reservations
Valley of Fire campsites are now reservation-based, not first-come.
The park's long-running first-come campground system is gone: Nevada State Parks now lists all Valley of Fire campsites as available by reservation through Reserve Nevada, and winter-to-spring weekends go fast.
Reviewed June 8, 2026
Booking window
Nevada State Parks camping reservations can be made from 3 days to 11 months in advance through Reserve Nevada.
- Camping costs $20 per vehicle per night for Nevada residents and $25 for non-Nevada vehicles, plus $10 for sites with utility hookups.
- The two campgrounds hold a combined 72 units with shaded tables, grills, water, restrooms, showers, and a dump station. A 14-day limit in any 30-day period applies.
- The entire park closes December 1 to 14 each year for maintenance, with no camping reservations available during the closure.
Where to book or verify
Valley of Fire official page
Official Nevada State Parks page with fees, closures, campground details, and trail notices.
Reserve Nevada
Official Nevada State Parks reservation portal for campsites and group areas.
Search Recreation.gov
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Campgrounds to know
Arch Rock Campground
Details- Booking
- 3 days to 11 months ahead through Reserve Nevada.
- Sites
- Smaller non-hookup sites tucked into the rock formations.
- The quieter, more scenic tent-first loop.
Getting there and practical info
Build the arrival around the reservation.
Entry windows, permit pickups, and drive time should be checked before the itinerary gets crowded.
Getting there
Get to Valley of Fire State Park with the required window already protected.
- Access rhythm
- Plan the last mile
- Region
- Nevada
Car strategy
Valley of Fire is about an hour northeast of Las Vegas: take I-15 north to the Valley of Fire Highway exit, or come in from Lake Mead's Northshore Road for the prettier approach.
Fly in
Harry Reid International is the airport.
Car strategy
Skip rideshares; drivers routinely cannot get a return pickup from the park.
Pair this with lodging: choose the base that keeps the reservation or permit pickup from becoming the hardest part of the day.
Frequently asked questions
Is Valley of Fire camping first come, first served?
Not anymore. Nevada State Parks now lists all Valley of Fire campsites as reservation-based through Reserve Nevada, which accepts bookings from 3 days to 11 months ahead. Day use still requires no reservation.
How much does Valley of Fire State Park cost?
Day-use entry is $10 per vehicle for Nevada plates and $15 for non-Nevada vehicles. Camping is $20 per vehicle per night for residents and $25 for non-residents, plus $10 for utility hookup sites.
Why is the Fire Wave closed in summer?
For safety. The park closes the Fire Wave, White Domes, Pinnacles, and most other exposed trails every year from May 15 to September 30 because of extreme heat and a history of rescues and fatalities in that window.
Can you visit Valley of Fire in December?
Mostly yes, and winter is a great hiking window, but the park closes completely December 1 to 14 every year for maintenance, including to visitors on foot.