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Looking for the best Valley of Fire photo spots? Well, I’m a Vegas local, so you’re in the right place!
Nevada’s first and largest state park lures visitors into its colorful sandstone crests with promises of beautiful views and wildlife sightings. And guess what? It always delivers.
Valley of Fire has some of the best views of the rainbow of sandstone in the state, great hikes, and, yes, you will likely even see some big horn sheep.
Located just 45 minutes from Las Vegas (where we currently live, so we’ve visited this park multiple times), it’s a great place to put on your Las Vegas bucket list.
So pack up your camera gear or get your phone ready. You’ve got a lot of Valley of Fire photo spots to hit before leaving the park.
Mouse’s Tank Road
Mouse’s Tank Road is a view that captures the magic of Valley of Fire all in one shot. It snakes through the fiery rock formations glowing in the sun. There are a couple of different ways to maximize the creative potential of this Valley of Fire photo spot.
First, quickly climb up the boulder at the end of the road. It’s easy to climb and has enough space for you and your friend to snap a photo. Then, snap a few photos with the road winding behind you.
Then, leave your photographer up on the rock and make your way onto the road. Look out for cars, and take a few pictures there as well.
You could also take one further out on the road like I did. Though this isn’t the iconic view on Mouse’s Tank Road, it’s still incredibly picturesque.
Mouse’s Tank Road is among my favorite Valley of Fire Instagram spots.
Seven Sisters
The Seven Sisters are an exceptional backdrop for any photo. Seven rock formations line either side of the road, making this one of the most accessible Valley of Fire photo spots. You’ll pull into the Seven Sisters parking lot and take the short trail up the monument.
The sun illuminates the Seven Sisters at all times of the day, so you should be able to get some good pictures at any time of the day.
Slot Canyon (White Domes Trail)
The slot canyon on the White Domes Trail is one of the most popular Valley of Fire photography locations. This 45-minute loop is super easy to access. Just pull into the White Domes parking lot and set off on the trail.
Part of the trail passes through the colorfully narrow walls of a slot canyon. The canyon is perfect for exploring your creativity a bit and seeing what kind of cool photos come out.
Since this is one of the more popular Valley of FIre photo spots, I would suggest hitting this trail earlier in the day so you won’t have to share the space with any other visitors.
However, Jessie and I hiked this trail mid-day in March and were able to snap some photos without anyone else in them.
Fire Wave
The Fire Wave is another one of Valley of Fire’s most coveted views. Often compared to “The Wave” in Arizona, the Fire Wave is a river of rock with threads of white and red running through it. The hike to it also includes many other cool views, so you’ll have a variety of sights to photograph.
You can climb all over the Fire Wave to get that perfect shot, and it is beautiful at any time of day. The wave colors pop most when the sun is out, but sunset or sunrise provides incredible lighting.
Atlatl Rock
Atlatl Rock is home to Valley of Fire’s most famous ancient petroglyphs.
You’ll climb up a short metal staircase to see the well-preserved scene etched into the face of Atlatl rock. Figures, symbols, and animals are depicted, and we have yet to decide what the image is trying to get across.
Snap a few photos and develop your own interpretation of the petroglyph. See if you can discover what professionals have been wondering about for years!
And remember, we are still able to see these images because they have not been touched or tampered with, so stay behind the railing and keep this precious history safe.
Balanced Rock
Balanced Rock is a Valley of Fire best photo spot for those in a bit of a hurry. Located right next to the visitor’s center, Balanced Rock makes for an easy and quick stop at the start of the day.
You’ll park at the visitor’s center parking lot, and Balanced Rock will already be visible from this distance. If you want some close-ups of the sight, then you’ll take the short trail about 10 minutes to get up to the rock.
Remember that climbing on the precariously set rock formation is prohibited, but stay and take as many pictures as you need!
Arch Rock
Arch Rock is a stop you’ll want to add to your Valley of Fire photography guide. This delicate arch has been carefully crafted by erosion over thousands of years and will not be around forever. Please remember that this is another formation that visitors are prohibited from climbing on.
This Valley of Fire photo stop is also very easy to access. You can pull into the small parking lot on Campground Road and take a few minutes to walk up to it or take the longer 2-mile loop that includes Arch Rock and other formations along the way.
Pink Canyon
Pink Canyon is one of my personal favorite Valley of Fire Instagram spots. This area’s pastel pink and whites stand out against its flame-colored neighbors.
Since the Pink Canyon is not on an officially marked trail, there is generally less traffic, leaving you, your photographer, and this valley of pink rock to your creative devices.
To get to this spot, you’ll have to park in the Fire Wave parking lot and then hike from the Fire Wave into the Pink Canyon.
Silica Dome
Silica Dome is a must-see photo spot for sweeping views of the Valley of Fire landscape. The round-trip hike to the top is less than a mile long, but there is an elevation gain of over 200 feet.
Not only does it have a beautiful view, but Silica Dome is one of the Valley of Fire photo spots that made it to the big screen. That’s right, Star Trek fans, Silica Dome can be seen in the franchise’s seventh film, Star Trek Generations.
Even if you’re not a Star Trek fan, I would suggest snapping a few photos here to capture the rugged Nevada landscape.
Fire Cave
To see Valley of Fire’s vibrant colors at their best, you must visit the Fire Cave. Found south of the Atlatl campground, the Fire Cave sits just far enough out of the way that it is never too crowded, making it one of Valley of Fire’s best photo spots.
The outside of the cave glows brightly in the sun, but this is a formation that you can climb all over, so head inside and see what the colors are like there. This is a beautiful sunrise or sunset Valley of Fire photo spot.
The Beehives
Valley of Fire’s Beehives are some of the most unique rock formations in the park. The Beehives are tall and circular, with strata cross-bedding and cascading down the rock to form a beehive-like exterior.
Luckily, giant bees will not attack you if you get close, so you can take as many pictures as possible at this Valley of Fire photography location. You’ll park in the Beehives parking lot and walk about 10 minutes to reach the Beehives.
White Domes Trail Movie Set
The White Domes Trail Movie Set is another spot on your Valley of Fire photography guide, showing off its desert beauty in the film industry.
The Professionals, filmed in 1965, used the White Domes area as their movie set and have left behind a piece of the set for you to include in your photos.
In fact, the road you drove on to get to the White Domes Trail was constructed because of this movie!
Elephant Rock
Located in the eastern corner of the park, Elephant Rock is one of the best places to catch the sunset before heading out for the day.
Shaped like an immortalized ancient elephant, Elephant Rock stands tall above the other rock formations in mammoth glory.
The views surrounding Elephant Rock are just as astounding as the formation itself, and when the sun sets, it causes the valley to radiate color. This is definitely something you’ll want to have your camera out for.
Rainbow Vista
Another great spot to get panoramic views of the Valley of Fire is Rainbow Vista.
Putting on display the landscape where dinosaurs once walked, Rainbow Vista’s vast landscape of rock formations and plants allows you the ability to imagine that scene.
The hike to this overlook is about ¾ of a mile long and is easily accessible from the parking lot.
Greetings from the Valley of Fire State Park Instagram Sign
This park sign is definitely one of the best Valley of Fire Instagram spots.
Shaped like a Polaroid picture, this is a fun spot to snap a few photos different from all the rock formations you’ve seen. Make a stop here during golden hour to light up the red rock behind you, and the sun will cast its sunset glow on your face as well.
These Valley of Fire photo spots are bound to get you the photos you need to brighten up your feed. I mean, where else can you find a color like that?
And remember, Las Vegas is only 45 minutes away. You won’t regret taking a day trip out of your stay in Vegas to visit the breathtaking Valley of Fire.
Frequently Asked Questions: Valley of Fire State Park Photos
How far is Valley of Fire from Las Vegas?
Valley of Fire State Park is approximately 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas, making it about a one-hour drive away.
What is the Valley of Fire?
The Valley of Fire is Nevada’s oldest and largest state park, renowned for its stunning red sandstone formations, ancient petroglyphs, and diverse landscapes, offering a plethora of photo opportunities and outdoor activities.
What time should I take photos at Valley of Fire State Park?
Early morning or late afternoon are ideal times for photography at Valley of Fire State Park to avoid harsh shadows and capture the vibrant colors of the rock formations, with the golden hour providing particularly soft and warm lighting.
