Nevada's First State Park

[150]       

Nevada's First State Park

Clark County
  36.42999, -114.51394

"If only I had more time, I would set up a few nights camp here and bring home my own renditions of this fiery valley. Valley of Fire presents the perfect canvas in which to craft a masterpiece from. And many have! This might very well be the crown jewel of southern Nevada -- a right-alongside-contender with Gold Butte, Nevada's own chunk of the Grand Canyon. For now though, this brief visit will have do. But even passing through, I am inspired, tripled in mind, body, and soul." -- Journal Entry, March 2009

Visitors Center in Valley of Fire State Park, 18 miles south of I-15

Original Date Visited: 3/16/09

Signed: No

Into the Valley of Fire

The SHPO chose a great spot for this marker by locating it right in the middle of some of the state's loveliest scenery. Yes. This is a state park so you will have to pay an entrance fee. The most popular route into the park happens by way of park's west entrance on the Valley of Fire Road. Use the Crystal exit (Exit 75) off I-15 then south on SR 169 for 13 miles.

If you're up for a longer and more leisurely route, you can find it from Henderson by following the Lake Mead Parkway (SR 564) into Lake Mead NRA. Here, you can follow the scenic Northshore Drive right to the eastern entrance to Valley of Fire. Keep in mind that you'll still need to pay an entrance fee to take this route through the NRA. Northshore is an interesting alternative to the boring 15 freeway and well recommended if you have the time! By going this way you can also conquer [37] Powell of the Colorado at Echo Bay without having to double back from Valley of Fire. Choose whichever route you like, but you will be treated to something special. Have a great trip!

  • [150] Representing our first state park!
  • [150] The famous Arch Rock in the western section of Valley of Fire
  • [150] Valley of Fire (c) Clint Losee
  • [150] Marker 150 plaque
  • [150] Valley of Fire (c) Roseanne Hakala

Exact Description:
Governor James Scrugham moved the federal government to give 8,500 acres of the Valley of Fire to Nevada in 1925.

Park development began in 1933 by Civilian Conservation Corps workers. Dedicated prematurely on Easter Sunday 1934, the park was officially established by the state in 1935 by Col. Thomas W. Miller, as chairman of the new park commission.

World War II fiscal neglect and the 1941 Land Exchange Act almost eliminated the park from the state park system. Led by the tenacious Col. Miller, the 1955 legislature revitalized the system with sound support and funds. Authorized acreage is 58,000.

[Valley of Fire]

Next Marker:

DUCK VALLEY INDIAN RESERVATION

Related Links & Markers:

 Valley of Fire (Nevada State Parks) 

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