On Saturday, November 22, Valley of Fire State Park will celebrate the grand opening of its impressive new visitor center. The big day also marks the launch of a new and improved gift shop and a 200-seat amphitheater.
This new complex is the result of a significant investment exceeding $30 million. The project is designed to enrich your experience, foster learning, and inspire future generations to appreciate the history and beauty of Nevada.
Opening day festivities
The design of the new center itself draws inspiration from the park. It mirrors the iconic slot canyons and landscapes found throughout Valley of Fire.
The day is packed with activities:
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9:30 AM – Ribbon-cutting ceremony with park officials and special guests
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10:30 AM – A talk on local fauna by the Nevada Department of Wildlife
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11:00 AM – A discussion on geology led by Nevada State Parks
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11:30 AM – “The Nevadaromeus Dinosaur” presentation with Josh Bonde and Becky Hall
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12:00 PM – A Hiker’s Education Course presented by the Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation
Park gates open at 7 AM. If you plan to attend the activities, arrive early to secure a parking spot.
You’ll also also find a variety of food and beverage vendors on site, including the Las Vegas Brewing Company, which will feature its exclusive Valley of Fire brew.
A much-needed upgrade
This expansion was essential due to the park’s massive surge in popularity. When Valley of Fire first opened, it welcomed about 9,000 visitors annually. Today, this natural sanctuary attracts approximately 750,000 guests each year. It has been using the same visitor center, which, despite a renovation in the 1980s, was no longer equipped to handle the demand.
Valley of Fire State Park’s history
This famous state park is celebrated for its brilliant red Aztec sandstone, a Jurassic-period relic formed by wind-blown sand. The park also contains petrified trees dating back more than 2,000 years.
People have actually been roaming this area for a really long time…about 11,000 years! The coolest things they left behind are the petroglyphs (ancient rock carvings) made by the Basketmaker culture around 2,500 years ago. Later on, the Early Pueblo people called this place home, too.
So, where did the name come from? Back in 1912, an AAA official was driving down a rough road here right at sunset. He said the glowing red rocks made the whole valley look like it was on fire, and the name stuck.
Not long after that, the land was gifted to the state to protect it. By Easter Sunday in 1934, it officially became Nevada’s very first state park.