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Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada (View Photos):
Photographers flock to this compact Nevada state park in the Mojave Desert due to the phantasmagorical red sandstone formations which suggest another world. Not surprisingly, numerous science fiction films have been shot here to take advantage of the surreal landscape. Even for the southwest, this park is notable for its supernatural characteristics. The red sandstone takes on strange and tortured shapes due to the forces of weathering and erosion. The rock is pitted throughout with holes and cavities. There is a beautiful range of color in the rocks, ranging from the predominant red to orange and white.
Native Americans were present in this area for many centuries during pre-historic times, including the Basket Maker People and the Pueblo Anasazi. They left behind an impressive body of rock art, a good deal of which can be viewed along the Petroglyph Canyon Trail.
The park, situated only 55 miles northeast of Las Vegas, can be easily explored along a set of paved roads that lead to trailheads, landmarks and outstanding vistas. Rainbow Vista, located several miles north of the Visitor Center on a branching road, features awesome views of multi-colored domes, canyons and other rock formations. The road ends at an area called White Domes where visitors can enjoy a landscape consisting of huge slabs of white sandstone.
Recommended Points of Interest:
Elephant Rock; Atlatl Rock (this rock has some nicely preserved ancient petroglyphs carved on one of its sides); the Seven Sisters rock formations; Rainbow Vista; Fire Canyon; White Domes.
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Valley of Fire State Park, (October 2010)
Seven Sisters rock formations, Valley of Fire State Park, (October 2010)
Valley of Fire State Park, (October 2010)
Valley of Fire State Park, (October 2010)
Valley of Fire State Park, (October 2010)
Valley of Fire State Park, (October 2010)
Valley of Fire State Park, (October 2010)
Entrance sign, Valley of Fire State Park, (October 2010)
