For a change of scenery from the neon strips and bright lights of Vegas, hire yourself a car (a convertible if you wish) and head northeast to the Valley of Fire. Nevada's first State Park, the Valley of Fire is named after its fiery red-rock spires and is home to numerous extravagant rock formations. One of the most photogenic areas in America's West, you'll find the Valley of Fire just an hour drive up the Interstate 15.
A must visit for lovers of the outdoors, the Valley of Fire is also a popular destination for movie buffs. The Valley's iconic landscape is instantly recognisable - Star Trek, When Fools Rush In and The Professionals are just a handful of the numerous Hollywood films that were shot in the area.
Take a map or travel guide so you can stop off at some of the park's sights. Though not postcard attractions, the petrified wood, 3,000 year-old Indian petroglyphs and rustic old cabins from the 1930s all make interesting stops. Keep your eyes peeled for coyotes, spotted skunk, black tailed jackrabbits and the very rare desert tortoise, too.
Of course, the best sight is the Valley of Fire itself. While there's no bad time to visit, for a real spectacle time your trip to catch the park at sunrise or sunset. Sunrise is when the highway lights up with colours you can only dream of, while in the late afternoon you can follow the gravel road to Fire Canyon/Silica Dome and catch some really stunning lights at sunset.
Being located just 55 miles from Las Vegas makes visiting Valley of Fire easier than winning on a slot machine. If you don't have a date with a roulette table to rush back for, pack a picnic, tent, or a pair of hiking shoes and really make the most of the park.
Open all year round, you'll find two camp grounds in the Valley of Fire if you want to sleep under the stars. There's also powered sights if you happen to be travelling with a caravan, or RV as they like to call them around these parts.
