Exploring Valley of Fire State Park with My Dogs: A Day of Adventure
Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada is one of the most dog-friendly places I’ve ever visited, so when my second pup, Captain, was old enough, I made it a point to take them both for a mini-vacation. I had visited the park the previous January with Crystal and her dog, and it was such a memorable experience that I couldn’t wait to return. This year, I had one day to explore the park with my two fur babies, Zooey and Captain. Here’s a glimpse into our day of fun, hiking, and sightseeing at one of the most beautiful parks in Nevada!
Where to Stay
I stayed at the same hotel as last year, North Shore Inn at Lake Mead, which is located in Overton, Nevada. This is the only pet-friendly hotel near the park, and it’s only 11 miles (about a 20-minute drive) from Valley of Fire State Park. It’s a clean, basic hotel with an affordable price tag. At the time, it was $110 per night. While there are plenty of accommodations in Las Vegas, it’s about an hour away, and the pet fees are usually much higher. Since I was driving from Los Angeles (a little over 5 hours), I wanted somewhere close by without having to drive any further.
For campers, there are two campgrounds within the park: Atlatl Campground and Arch Rock Campground.
What to Wear
March is a fantastic time to visit the park. The mornings were chilly, with temperatures around 45-50°F, but by midday, it warmed up to the mid-70s. I highly recommend dressing in layers. I started out in a sweatshirt for the morning hikes, but by 10 AM, I was in a T-shirt.
As for footwear, I wore ankle-high boots to avoid getting sand in my shoes while hiking. Many of the trails in Valley of Fire involve walking through sand, so boots that go past your ankles are a must.
Exploring Valley of Fire: A Day in the Park
10:00 AM – Park Entrance
We entered the park through the east entrance, driving from Moapa Valley. As soon as you arrive, there’s a cute Polaroid photo-op that I couldn’t resist, so I snapped a picture with Zooey and Captain. Holding a 40-pound pup for the photo was a bit of a struggle, but I managed!
To the left, you’ll find a trail leading to Elephant Rock (a 0.3-mile hike). While it looked fun, we didn’t have enough time to do it and decided to move on to our first hike of the day: White Domes Trail.
11:15 AM – White Domes Trail
This 1.5-mile loop trail is my absolute favorite hike in the park and one of the most popular. We got lucky with parking—there were still a few spots when we arrived, but by the time we got back, the lot was completely full!
White Domes Trail is a stunning hike, with a scenic route featuring movie set remains, a slot canyon, and towering sandstone formations. The pups loved running through the sand and jumping off the rocks. It was a warm day by this point, so we took several breaks to hydrate. I was glad I brought enough water for everyone!
We made sure to take lots of photos along the way and even stopped to admire the slot canyon. Despite the trail being short, we spent a good amount of time exploring and taking in the views. You can read more about this hike in our Dog-Friendly Hike at White Domes Trail post.
1:00 PM – Lunch Break in Overton
After our hike, we were all pretty hungry, so we headed back to McDonald’s in Overton to grab a quick bite. There are some great spots within the park to enjoy your meal with a view, but we decided to relax at the hotel and take a nap before continuing our adventure.
If you’re staying in the park for the day, be sure to pack food and drinks since there are no eateries inside the park.
4:00 PM – Visitor Center + Balanced Rock Trail
After our lunch break, we made our way back to the park and stopped at the Visitor Center. This area is perfect for wandering around and snapping some fun photos of your pups with the beautiful rock formations. Kuma and Captain loved climbing through rock holes and posing for pictures.
Next, we hiked the Balanced Rock Trail (0.3-mile roundtrip). It’s an easy, short hike, and the pups enjoyed running up and down the trail while we took in the views.
4:45 PM – Fire Wave Trail
The Fire Wave Trail is another must-do hike at Valley of Fire. It’s a 1.5-mile roundtrip trail that used to be a hidden gem but has now been added to the official park map. The beginning of the trail is sandy, but as you make your way through, the rocky area provides a much-needed break for your calves.
I wanted to catch the sunset at the end of the trail, but we made it to the Fire Wave much earlier than expected. The end of the trail offers breathtaking views of striated sandstone that has eroded over time to create a “wave” effect. It was a perfect spot for photos, and we had the place mostly to ourselves.
6:30 PM – Sunset at Mouse’s Tank Road
As the sun was starting to set, I made one last stop at Mouse’s Tank Road. This spot isn’t marked on the map, but it’s located within walking distance of the Rainbow Vista Trailhead parking lot. After parking, cross the street and walk a little ways to find an excellent view of the scenic road with the red rocks lit by the golden sunset.
We were lucky to have the place to ourselves, and the sunset light made the rocks glow in a way that was hard to capture in photos. It was the perfect way to end a beautiful day at Valley of Fire.
Final Thoughts
Valley of Fire State Park is an incredible place with stunning landscapes, easy hikes, and tons of pet-friendly opportunities. I’m so grateful that I can take Zooey and Captain on these adventures with me. Whether you’re hiking the White Domes, taking photos at the Visitor Center, or enjoying the sunset on Mouse’s Tank Road, there’s something special about this park.
FAQs:
Q: Is Valley of Fire really dog-friendly?
A: Yes, Valley of Fire is extremely dog-friendly! You can bring your pups on most of the trails and take them along for photos at many of the park’s scenic overlooks.
Q: Are there places to eat within the park?
A: There are no restaurants inside the park, so you’ll need to bring your own food and drinks, especially if you plan to spend the whole day exploring.
Q: What’s the best time of year to visit Valley of Fire?
A: March is a fantastic time to visit, with pleasant temperatures in the mid-70s during the day. However, it’s a popular spot, so be prepared for crowds during weekends.
Q: Are there camping options in the park?
A: Yes, there are two campgrounds in the park: Atlatl Campground and Arch Rock Campground. Both are pet-friendly, making it easy to enjoy the outdoors with your dog.
Valley of Fire is one of the most beautiful state parks I’ve visited, and it’s the perfect place for a pet-friendly adventure. If you love hiking and spending time outdoors with your dog, this park should definitely be on your list!