March Events at Valley of Fire

Valley of Fire State Park is offering a wide variety of guided hikes, interpretive programs and competitions throughout the month. Program schedule is subject to change due to weather and staffing.

March 4: “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, March 4, 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

March 5: 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, March 5, 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.

March 5: “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: Sunday, March 5, 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Meet in the front theater inside the Valley of Fire Visitor Center

March 11: Fire Wave-Kaolin Wash Guided Hike

Join park rangers for a guided hike on an unmaintained and unmarked extension of the Fire Wave Trail. The extension portion of this hike follows Kaolin Wash and leads through an area sometimes referred to as “pastel canyon.” During this strenuous, approximately 2.35-mile loop hike, a ranger will provide information about the geological history of the area and the plants and wildlife that currently call this harsh climate home. Please be sure to bring plenty of water and wear appropriate footwear for hiking over rocky, uneven surfaces.

WHEN: Saturday, March 11, 9:30 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.

March 11: 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, March 11, 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
WHERE: Valley of Fire visitor center

March 12: 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: Sunday, March 12, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Atlatl Rock picnic area

March 12: Petrified Logs Guided Hike

This approximately one-mile round trip 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. 

WHEN: Sunday, March 12, 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.

March 18: “Drop Slot and Pinnacles” Guided Hike

Join local volunteer and park staff on a strenuous guided hike of an unmarked and unmaintained route referred to as “Drop Slot and Pinnacles.” This is a unique opportunity to see and experience a remote area of the park that has no access via formal, developed hiking trails.  “Drop Slot and Pinnacles” is an approximately 3-mile loop and features 700 feet of elevation gain. It is recommended that participants wear long-sleeve shirts to avoid grazed elbows when slowly sliding down approximately 5-6 feet into the narrow slot canyon.  PLEASE NOTE:  This is a very strenuous hike, which we recommend only for experienced hikers in good physical condition.  Those interested in participating in this guided hike must pre-register by emailing: vofinterpranger@mvdsl.com. Please include the name of each participant in your party.  This hike will be limited to the first 40 registered people only.

WHEN: Saturday, March 18, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WHERE: Meet in the lower parking lot at the Valley of Fire visitor center; participants will caravan to the trailhead from there.

March 18: “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. The presentation will be held in the front theater of the Visitor Center.

WHEN: Saturday, March 18, 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Meet in the front theater inside the Valley of Fire visitor center

March 19: Atlatl Rock Guided Petroglyph Hikes

Stop by 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 hike 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, March 19, 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.

March 24:  Atlatl Demonstration with the World Atlatl Association

Join members of the World Atlatl Association and park staff to learn about the ancient spear-throwing tool known as the atlatl, its history in the Southwest, and how exactly it was used.  A demonstration is included and participants will have the opportunity to try throwing atlatls on their own.

WHEN: Friday, March 24, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: Atlatl Rock picnic area

March 25: 26th Annual World Atlatl Competition

Visit Valley of Fire State Park on Saturday, March 25, for the 26th Annual World Atlatl Competition! While this event attracts participants from all across the country, it is an extremely relaxed competition, and beginners/novices are encouraged to participate. Registration for the competition will begin at 9 a.m. Plaques will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the women’s, men’s and children’s divisions. There will also be some atlatls available for those who do not own one but still wish to participate in the competition. 

WHEN: Saturday, March 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Atlatl Rock picnic area

March 26: Moche Toss Demonstration

The Moche Toss is an atlatl game based on artwork found on pottery done by the ancient Moche Culture that inhabited the area that is now Peru from 100-800 CE. The game involves throwing darts at aerial targets (somewhat like an ancient version of skeet-shooting). Come learn about this ancient game, and how a member of the World Atlatl Association recreated the tools used by studying depictions found in Moche artwork.

WHEN: Sunday, March 26, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
WHERE: Atlatl Rock picnic area

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.