Valley of Fire State Park, located just 45 minutes away from Las Vegas, is set to expand this fall with numerous exciting additions. The new visitor center will showcase state-of-the-art exhibits that bring the park’s rich history, culture, and geology to life. It will also include realistic recreations of the park’s canyons and landscapes, along with a newly expanded and upgraded gift shop. Another amazing addition is the 200-seat amphitheater, which will be used for educational programs, ranger-led talks, and special events. All this should be available starting this fall!
Valley of Fire expansion
Back when the park opened, it received roughly 9,000 visitors per year. It had the same visitor center that we can find there today. Although it was remodeled in the 80s, the steep increase in visitors demanded a new and improved version. Nowadays, this beautiful nature escape sees approximately 750,000 guests each year…that’s what we call growth!
This expansion is supported with funds from the Helmsley Charitable Trust, the same trust that contributed millions to the new Ice Age Fossils State Park.
A look back in time
Valley of Fire State Park is renowned for its bright red Aztec sandstone. It contains ancient, petrified trees, dating back over 2,000 years!
Wondering where the sandstone comes from? All the way from the Jurassic period, when the sand was left behind by the wind, after the inland seas receded as the land gradually uplifted. People started living in southern Nevada as far back as 11,000 years ago. The clearest signs they left behind are the rock carvings, or petroglyphs, made by the Basketmaker culture about 2,500 years ago. Later on, the Early Pueblo people also lived in the area.
What we know today as the Valley of Fire, was a rough road built through this area in 1912. It connected Salt Lake City with Los Angeles. Later on, an AAA official traveling through the park at sunset said that ‘the entire valley looked like it was on fire’. And that’s where the name comes from!
Also around that time, the value of this space was recognized. About 8,500 acres of public domain were given to the State of Nevada.
In 1933, the first facilities and campgrounds were built in the park. Just one year later, on Easter Sunday, Valley of Fire was formally opened as Nevada’s first state park. Since then, the park has grown to its present size – which means over 40,000 acres of multi-colored rock, displaying many fascinating shapes and textures.