Glenn's Las Vegas Page - Valley Of Fire & Mesquite

Valley of Fire is indeed an easy side trip from Las Vegas.  If the casino environment gets to you and you have a car, go for it!  From the Strip, you can take I-15 North (Salt Lake City) by going West on Tropicana, Flamingo, Spring Mountain or Sahara.  I-15 will really proceed NE towards Utah. After about 40 minutes, you will enter the Moapa Reservation where the Valley of Fire exit is clearly posted. The Moapa's have been in this area for centuries and are a band of the Paiute Tribe.

As you exit I-15, there is an interesting shop at the end of the ramp. The I-15 Moapa Tribal Enterprises Shop sells tax-free cigarettes, souvenirs, snacks, gifts, whiskey and T-shirts as well as fireworks. The fireworks shop looks like an insurers worst nightmare to me, but I like to stop there. They have recently added slots and video poker in a new expansion area.

The rock formations and colors in the park are extremely photogenic!  I have one photo of two deep red-brown rocks that resemble sweet potatoes. The photo is not impressive until the next identical photo that shows my wife about 5% as tall as the rocks that looked only a few feet tall in the other shot.

This sort of deception makes it a challenge to the photographer to depict the true extent of the formations. You could just do a drive-by, but really would do well to plan a short hike or two to get out of the car - especially if you're an Easterner!!!  It's only an hour or so back to the blackjack tables. You can also divert through a couple of side roads to visit other marked features of the park. Do take the spur road at the Visitors Center.  The rock formations are reddest along this stretch.  Pay the $5 fee and pick up a brochure upon entering and follow the map to the attractions or trails.

If you exit through Overton, there is the "Lost City Museum" that has Anasazi cultural exhibits and is worth a visit.

BUT............. You may want to plan a FULL day out of Las Vegas. You could easily leave after a breakfast buffet, see the above and proceed on to St. George Utah.  This is a scenic town dominated by the Mormon Temple and red cliffs. There is also an outlet center for the shoppers.

On the way, you will pass through Mesquite - a Nevada border town complete with three excellent hotel/casinos, or you may choose to save these for the return trip.  After Mesquite, you will drive through a small corner of Arizona and enter what I think is probably the most beautiful 6 miles of the US Interstate Highway system. The Virgin River Gorge was one of the most expensive 6 miles of interstate.  Both sides of the road are breathtaking. The vertical heights make you feel so small and you regret there is no turnoff for photos.  Amazing!

You can catch a shop in St. George and return to Las Vegas direct on I-15 or stop off in Mesquite. The Virgin River Casino is at the North (border) exit and Si Redd's Oasis and Casablanca are at the South Mesquite exit. Gas is available in between. There are frequently excellent food and room bargains in Mesquite and golf deals. The CasaBlanca buffet is excellent.

If you want to try this trip, leave Las Vegas with a full tank. Do not buy fireworks if you can't take them home. The Valley of Fire may be entered at one I-15 exit and you may return to the interstate at another exit. Should time permit, check out Lake Mead at Overton (some homework required). There still will be time in your day for a show or gaming back in Vegas.
 

Main Page