When going to Vegas one must see adventure is Valley of Fire State Park. Being just a quick hour-hour and a half drive from the strip, this spot is easily doable regardless of how long you're staying in Sin City. In fact, everytime I have come to vegas (which last year was about 4 times) I make sure I can go explore. The best part, is each time I go I find something new, something breathtaking, something unexpected! This recent trip to vegas was no different, I actually went twice to snag sunrise and sunset. But for this blog, I want to share the best spots and tips to make your next sunrise stellar.
Now I will preface that when deciding to go to Valley of Fire, regardless of time of day Summer can be extremely HOT. Bring water regardless...I have now visited in April, June, August, and these shots were captured in February. Also note that you will need to pay a $15 entrance fee to embark on your journey. I left Vegas around 5:15 am to make sure I was there around 6:30/6:45 as the sun was starting to emerge. Ideally you want to be there about 15 minutes before sunrise hits, and the 20 minutes after are picture worthy as well! Once in the park I drove straight back to turn on Mouse's Tank Road. This iconic spot shown above is stunning for aerial views as it naturally dips down creating an illusion worth snagging. It is also easier during sunrise to get that Instagram worthy snap. Less people driving around, and that means less frogger games are played as you hop on and off the road.
If you're lucky to make a friend, you can even capture your own overlook shot too! Thanks to the guys skateboarding around for helping me on this one. There are two main spots that will get crowded quickly as people start to make their way into the park. Mouse's Tank is one, and then the famous Fire Wave. Knowing that, I opted to head to Fire Wave first as I didn't want to have tons of people around me. The trailhead is marked, and is a few miles down on the right side once on Mouse's Tank Road. The trail itself isn't long, roughly 1.5 miles out and back + it is fairly flat making it easy to hike. Keep in mind though this trail this exposed to direct sunlight. (Meaning in Summer BE CAREFUL).
Personally totally worth it, the swirls of colors, and the views between are 10/10. After sitting in silence, and being in awe of all the unique features I headed to my next spot. Fire Canyon! On this trip I had actually never seen Fire Wave or Fire Canyon, which made it even more special! The area itself looks like something unearthly. & the overlook is not one to miss! If the Silica Dome take advantage. I actually didn't know this was there until someone I met took me off the beaten path during our sunset conquest to beat the park rangers the night before. (More to come on sunset spots in another blog!)
As you can see, this looks like something alien like in space. Honestly, it was spectacular. Perhaps though I am that person who is into the martian looking vibes. LOL. Since I had knocked the two popular spots off the list and was on a bit of a time crunch due to traveling I decided to check out one last area. Arch rock, and FINALLY I saw RAMS! If you don't know they are common in the park, but each visit I have never been able to see one. Well this time I saw 6, I even sent my mom the close up telling her my new friend didn't want my coffee.
Now this arch has nothing on Arches National Park, but then again Arches didn't showcase my new buddy either...in that case who is really winning here? If you haven't caught on yet either, for some reason I am a friend of arches. There is a uniqueness to their natural curves that I enjoy seeing. As I mentioned Valley of Fire has SO many things to see, spots to visit, and hidden gems to uncover. These 3 spots though were my top must see explorations for the sunrise. I spent about 3 hours there, and honestly didn't see many people until around 7:45 onward. Having the park mostly to myself made the 5 am get up totally worth it.
PS here is my arch buddy in a more close up manor. In this moment I feel as though he looked into my soul. His loss on not taking my coffee though! (:
If I have learned one thing that I can share on all these adventures/something I'd do differently going forward it is to have more than one day at a park. When I went to Valley of Fire in August I was only able to do the White Domes Trail due to heat. & the other times I explored probably 3 trails at a time. Not that it isn't doable all in one day, but having to rush tbh blows. I've noticed that having a second day allows you to really see even more of the natural beauty, and if you are able to swing that DO IT. I will also say that while sunrise hikes tend to be less crowded in my opinion, I much prefer sunsets. Not that any of these views/moments were shortcoming, I just prefer the hues of sunset over the sunrise. & Last tip, if you can do sunrise AND sunset it is a no brainer. The differences are stunning, and the experience isn't the same despite the areas being the same.
-Taryn
Email: Taryn.shaffer@yahoo.com
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