Visitors come to hike, climb, camp, and photograph the park. While technically a state park, fantastical rock formations such as the Fire Wave and White Domes draw international attention. On Easter Sunday in 1934, Valley of Fire formally became Nevada’s first state park (though the state congress didn’t formally recognize it until 1935), preserving these dramatic rock formations, diverse wildlife, and human history for everyone to enjoy.
While development around the park continues today, this colorful wilderness is now protected. The Early Pueblo culture succeeded the Basketmakers, followed by the Paiutes, who lived in the area in 1865 when Mormon settlers arrived and began farming, ranching, and mining the region. The petroglyphs themselves are attributed to the Basketmaker culture, which lived in the area 2,500 years ago. Petroglyphs found throughout the park affirm the presence of prehistoric man in the region, 11,000 years ago. While the park’s main draw may be the surreal red landscape, it also boasts petrified trees, petroglyphs, and wildlife encompassed by grey tan limestone mountains.ĭespite the rugged environment, Valley of Fire carries evidence of human habitants tracing back thousands of years.
Which makes sense as this “Aztec Sandstone” was formed from dunes stretching from Arizona to Colorado 150 million years ago. The fiery red sandstone that gives the park its name may look familiar to other famous parks such as Arches, Bryce, and the nearby Red Rock Canyon. Valley of Fire encompasses 40,000 acres of red and orange sandstone rock formations in southeast Nevada.
But, my oh my, it has become one of the highlights of our winter wandering. It happened to be a convenient location outside of Las Vegas with boondocking along the park’s access road. Valley of Fire State Park was an afterthought for us.
0 kommentar(er)
