April Events at Valley of Fire
Valley of Fire State Park is offering a wide variety of programs and guided hikes this April. Temperatures in April are generally quite comfortable and many of the desert plants are in bloom, adding vibrant splashes of color to the landscape. See why many people consider April to be the best month of the year to visit Valley of Fire! All events are open to the public. Program schedule is subject to change due to weather and staffing.
April 1: Wildflower Walk
Join park staff on a short guided hike and observe the plethora of wildflowers that are in bloom during this time of the year. The hike leader will point out and identify the various wildflowers visible along this approximately one-mile hike.
WHEN: Saturday, April 1, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Meet in the lower parking lot at the Valley of Fire visitor center; participants will caravan to the trailhead from there.
COST: This event is free of charge, however, Valley of Fire State Park does have a day-use fee of $10 per vehicle (Nevada residents receive a $2 discount).
CONTACT: Chris Johnson, 702-397-2088, vofinterpranger@mvdsl.com
April 1: “Make Your Own Petroglyphs” – Children’s Activity
One of the most well-known attractions at Valley of Fire State Park is the Native American petroglyphs found along Mouse’s Tank Trail, which date back hundreds to even thousands of years. Children who would like to learn more about these fascinating carvings that depict a wide variety of shapes and figures should meet at Atlatl Rock picnic area at 1:30 p.m. on April 1. Children will be provided with the materials to make their own modern “petroglyphs,” which will be theirs to keep. This program is designed for children ages 5-12, but all are welcome to participate. NOTE: During this activity, we will be carving petroglyphs into faux “rocks” made with arts and crafts materials. Never carve, scratch, or in any other way deface any rock in the park.
WHEN: Saturday, April 1, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: Atlatl Rock picnic area.
COST: This event is free of charge, however, Valley of Fire State Park does have a day-use fee of $10 per vehicle (Nevada residents receive a $2 discount).
CONTACT: Chris Johnson, 702-397-2088, vofinterpranger@mvdsl.com
April 2: Wildflower Walk
Join park staff on a short guided hike and observe the plethora of wildflowers that are in bloom during this time of the year. The hike leader will point out and identify the various wildflowers visible along this approximately one-mile hike.
WHEN: Sunday, April 2, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and again from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: Meet in the lower parking lot at the Valley of Fire visitor center; participants will caravan to the trailhead from there.
COST: This event is free of charge, however, Valley of Fire State Park does have a day-use fee of $10 per vehicle (Nevada residents receive a $2 discount).
CONTACT: Chris Johnson, 702-397-2088, vofinterpranger@mvdsl.com
April 8: Wildflower Walk
Join park staff on a short guided hike and observe the plethora of wildflowers that are in bloom during this time of the year. The hike leader will point out and identify the various wildflowers visible along this approximately one-mile hike.
WHEN: Saturday, April 8, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Meet in the lower parking lot at the Valley of Fire visitor center; participants will caravan to the trailhead from there.
COST: This event is free of charge, however, Valley of Fire State Park does have a day-use fee of $10 per vehicle (Nevada residents receive a $2 discount).
CONTACT: Chris Johnson, 702-397-2088, vofinterpranger@mvdsl.com
April 8: Durable Surface Hopscotch
Stop by the visitor center anytime between 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. to play a quick game of Durable Surface Hopscotch. This fun game is intended to introduce young park visitors to basic Leave No Trace ethics, particularly those related to traveling on “durable surfaces” and reducing one’s impact when exploring the outdoors. Each child that participates will receive a small prize (such as a sticker).
WHEN: Saturday, April 8, 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Valley of Fire visitor center
COST: This event is free of charge, however, Valley of Fire State Park does have a day-use fee of $10 per vehicle (Nevada residents receive a $2 discount).
CONTACT: Chris Johnson, 702-397-2088, vofinterpranger@mvdsl.com
April 9: Hidden Arch Loop Guided Hike
This strenuous, 1.25-mile off-trail loop predominantly follows washes and small ravines, leading past a rock formation sometimes referred to as “Crazy Hill,” as well as a hidden arch. This hike will give participants an opportunity to see areas of Valley of Fire State Park that are not accessible via marked trails. Please note that this hike requires some basic scrambling. Participants should be comfortable with walking over rocky, uneven surfaces.
WHEN: Sunday, April 9, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
WHERE: Meet in the lower parking lot at the Valley of Fire visitor center; participants will caravan to the trailhead from there.
COST: This event is free of charge, however, Valley of Fire State Park does have a day-use fee of $10 per vehicle (Nevada residents receive a $2 discount).
CONTACT: Chris Johnson, 702-397-2088, vofinterpranger@mvdsl.com
April 9: Petrified Logs Guided Hike
This approximately 1.25-mile roundtrip hike offers participants the unique opportunity to a visit a restricted access area consisting of a vast amount of petrified wood. As participants are led by a ranger to impressive collections of petrified wood, topics such as what kind of trees the petrified wood is believed to have been from and the petrification process will be discussed. Please meet in the lower parking lot at the visitor center – participants will caravan to the trailhead from there.
WHEN: Sunday, April 9, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: Meet in the lower parking lot at the Valley of Fire visitor center; participants will caravan to the trailhead from there.
COST: This event is free of charge, however, Valley of Fire State Park does have a day-use fee of $10 per vehicle (Nevada residents receive a $2 discount).
CONTACT: Chris Johnson, 702-397-2088, vofinterpranger@mvdsl.com
April 22: “Experience the Atlatl” Atlatl Demonstration/Participation Activity
Stop by Atlatl Rock picnic area to learn about the ancient spear-throwing tool known as the atlatl, its history in the Southwest and how exactly it was used. A brief demonstration is included, and participants will then be given the opportunity to try throwing atlatls on their own.
WHEN: Saturday, April 22, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and again from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: Atlatl Rock picnic area.
COST: This event is free of charge, however, Valley of Fire State Park does have a day-use fee of $10 per vehicle (Nevada residents receive a $2 discount).
CONTACT: Chris Johnson, 702-397-2088, vofinterpranger@mvdsl.com
April 23: Atlatl Rock Guided Petroglyph Hike
Stop by the Atlatl Rock picnic area to join a ranger on a short guided hike showcasing the petroglyphs located around Atlatl Rock. Participants will be led to numerous petroglyphs that
are not located along marked or maintained trails. Topics discussed during the walk will include
the processes commonly used for dating and interpreting petroglyphs, and also what is known
about the peoples that created this ancient rock art.
WHEN: Sunday, April 23, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Atlatl Rock picnic area.
COST: This event is free of charge, however, Valley of Fire State Park does have a day-use fee of $10 per vehicle (Nevada residents receive a $2 discount).
CONTACT: Chris Johnson, 702-397-2088, vofinterpranger@mvdsl.com
April 23: “Introduction to Valley of Fire” – Indoor Talk
Want to learn a lot about Valley of Fire State Park in a short amount of time? Stop by the Visitor Center at 1:30 p.m. for an indoor talk that will provide a general overview of the park’s geological history, human history and common flora and fauna.
WHEN: Sunday, April 23, 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Meet in the front theater inside the Valley of Fire Visitor Center
COST: This event is free of charge, however, Valley of Fire State Park does have a day-use fee of $10 per vehicle (Nevada residents receive a $2 discount).
CONTACT: Chris Johnson, 702-397-2088, vofinterpranger@mvdsl.com
April 29: Native American-Style Sand Painting (Children’s Activity)
Join park staff for a fun children’s activity designed to emulate the sand painting done the by Navajo and other Native American cultures. In a special twist, participants will turn their sand painting art into magnets.
WHEN: Saturday, April 29, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Atlatl Rock picnic area.
COST: This event is free of charge, however, Valley of Fire State Park does have a day-use fee of $10 per vehicle (Nevada residents receive a $2 discount).
CONTACT: Chris Johnson, 702-397-2088, vofinterpranger@mvdsl.com
April 29: “Desert Bighorn Sheep” – Indoor Talk
Desert Bighorn Sheep are one of the most iconic animals that inhabit the Mojave Desert. Stop by the front theater inside the Visitor Center at 1:30 p.m. for a short indoor talk covering these fascinating creatures, and how they are able to survive in such inhospitable conditions.
WHEN: Saturday, April 29, 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Meet in the front theater inside the Valley of Fire Visitor Center
COST: This event is free of charge, however, Valley of Fire State Park does have a day-use fee of $10 per vehicle (Nevada residents receive a $2 discount).
CONTACT: Chris Johnson, 702-397-2088, vofinterpranger@mvdsl.com
April 30: “Experience the Atlatl” Atlatl Demonstration/Participation Activity
Stop by Atlatl Rock picnic area to learn about the ancient spear-throwing tool known as the atlatl, its history in the Southwest and how exactly it was used. A brief demonstration is included, and participants will then be given the opportunity to try throwing atlatls on their own.
WHEN: Sunday, April 30, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Atlatl Rock picnic area.
COST: This event is free of charge, however, Valley of Fire State Park does have a day-use fee of $10 per vehicle (Nevada residents receive a $2 discount).
CONTACT: Chris Johnson, 702-397-2088, vofinterpranger@mvdsl.com
April 30: “Make Your Own Petroglyphs” – Children’s Activity
One of the most well-known attractions at Valley of Fire State Park is the Native American petroglyphs found along Mouse’s Tank Trail, which date back hundreds to even thousands of years. Children who would like to learn more about these fascinating carvings that depict a wide variety of shapes and figures should meet at Atlatl Rock picnic area at 1:30 p.m. Children will be provided with the materials to make their own modern “petroglyphs,” which will be theirs to keep. This program is designed for children ages 5-12, but all are welcome to participate. NOTE: During this activity, we will be carving petroglyphs into faux “rocks” made with arts and crafts materials. Never carve, scratch, or in any other way deface any rock in the park.
WHEN: Sunday, April 30, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: Atlatl Rock picnic area.
COST: This event is free of charge, however, Valley of Fire State Park does have a day-use fee of $10 per vehicle (Nevada residents receive a $2 discount).
CONTACT: Chris Johnson, 702-397-2088, vofinterpranger@mvdsl.com
Valley of Fire State Park is approximately 55 miles northeast of Las Vegas via Interstate 15, Exit 75, and 20 miles southwest of Moapa Valley via Highway 169, Valley of Fire Road. All events are free of cost; however, there is an entrance fee into the park of $10 per vehicle. Nevada residents receive a $2 discount.
