White Domes Loop Trail: A Valley of Fire Hike

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.

The White Domes Loop Trail, located in Valley of Fire State Park, is one of the most popular trails in the entire park. Its trailhead is located at the terminus of Mouse’s Tank and White Domes Roads in the park’s north section.

This short, yet stunning Valley of Fire hike takes you through jaw-dropping scenery consisting of white sandstone formations which starkly contrast with the vibrant reds and pastels. Additionally, it’ll also take you through a narrow, but brief slot canyon.

Before heading out on this hike, there are a few things you should know first. In this post, I’ll discuss topics such as the trail’s seasonal closure, what to expect along the trail, some tips that’ll help ensure a smooth experience, and more. Let’s get into it.

Trail Stats

• Location: Valley of Fire State Park in southern Nevada

• Fee: $10 for Nevada license plates / $15 for non-residents to enter the park

• Open: Typically between early October and mid-May.

• Family Friendly: Yes

• Cell Service: Spotty (based on Verizon service)

• Restroom: Multiple in the trailhead parking lot (vault style)

• Parking: Large paved lot with multiple parking spots

• EV Stations: None

• Difficulty: Easy to moderate

• Popularity: High

• Milage: 1.1 miles

• Elevation Gain: 177 foot gain

• Condition: Well maintained and easy to follow

• Features: White, red, and pastel colored sandstone formations and slot canyon

• Best Experienced: When open, in the morning

• Pets: Allowed, must be leashed

• Drone: Prohibited

• Hazards: Rocky/sandy decents, sun exposure, and possible wildlife encounters

• My Visit(s): 2023 and 2024

White Domes Trail Seasonal Closure

Valley of Fire is just an hour or so from the bright lights of Las Vegas but here, there are no air conditioned casinos to duck into when it gets too hot. Valley of Fire is pure desert. So when it gets hot, it gets really hot.

So much so that it isn’t unheard of for the heat to go well into triple digits in the summer months, making hiking a potentially dangerous, or downright life-threatening activity. In 2023, two women were found dead on the closed Prospect Trail, on a day where temperatures reached a scorching 118 degrees.

To prevent senseless loss of life, Valley of Fire officials enact seasonal closures of a handful of trails, White Domes being one of them. The exact dates change slightly year over year but generally, White Domes Trail is closed between mid-May and early October. You can monitor exact dates here.

You can still drive the highly scenic White Domes Road (which begins shortly after Rainbow Vista) and can access White Domes’ day-use area, but the trail itself is off limits during that period. Please respect the closure. If not, you risk fines, arrest, and death. No trail is worth that.

White Domes Trail Parking and Trailhead

To reach the parking lot and trailhead for White Domes Trail from either entrance of Valley of Fire, make your way to Mouse’s Tank Road, which is where the current visitor center is located. From the visitor center, it is roughly 15-minutes to the trailhead.

Drive along Mouse’s Tank Road for a few miles. When you pass Rainbow Vista on your right, the road will become White Domes Road. Continue for another couple miles until you reach the literal end of the road at the White Domes Trail parking lot.

The parking lot is large and paved, with spaces for many vehicles, including RVs. It isn’t unheard of to see tour busses parked here as well. At the trailhead are two restroom structures. In my experience, they’re not well maintained, so bringing your own biodegradable toilet seat covers and hand sanitizer would be wise (trust me on this).

Behind the restrooms, you’ll find a series of craggy, white sandstone towers with pastel stripes, a sneak peak into what awaits you on the trail. To the right of the restrooms are multiple covered picnic tables available for use. To the left are information boards. Between them and the restrooms is where the trail begins.

White Domes Loop Trail - What to Expect

Beyond the parking lot, you’ll start going slightly uphill on a trail consisting of fine, reddish-colored desert sand. There will be periods where the sand becomes a bit compact and moments where you’ll be traversing along solid, rocky ground but for the most part, you’ll be hiking through sand.

This is why I rated the trail as easy to moderate. Overall, this is an easy hike, but the fine sand takes the challenge level up a slight notch, particularly for those used to hiking on compact dirt. Soon into the trail, you’ll need to descend a series of rocky steps. Watch your step here.

The sandstone walls around you get higher and higher as you descend into the canyon. This is also where you’ll see a variety of unique sandstone formations that Valley of Fire is famous for, where no two formations are the same.

When you reach the bottom, the ground begins to soften again as you rejoin the sand-based trail. Up ahead, you’ll take notice of a man-made structure. This structure was part of a set piece for the 1965 movie, “The Professional”, which was partly filmed here. There’s a monument adjacent to the structure detailing Valley of Fire’s ideal location for filming westerns and the like.

Past the filming location, keep to the left to rejoin the trail. You’ll see a pile of rocks with a black trail marker guiding the way. When you descend further down the rock and back onto sand, you’ll turn right at the junction. Up ahead is another featured aspect of White Domes Trail - the slot canyon.

The entrance to the slot canyon is wide at the beginning, but quickly narrows as you progress, though not to the point where you’ll need to squeeze through it. The walls of the slot are a beautiful mixture of white and pastel waves, gliding through the sandstone. You would think it was painted on if you didn’t know any better.

The slot canyon is brief, taking mere minutes to get through. When you get to the other side, the trail continues to the right, up and over more rock. At this point, the ground becomes solid again, making for an easier trek.

This side is where the white domes aspect of the trail becomes more apparent. If you’re here early in the morning, you’ll see the pastel colors shine stunningly as the sun rises on the dome formations. Most of these are on the left side of the trail. On the right side, you’ll see mostly burnt-orange sandstone. The contrasts are truly a sight to behold.

Before long, you’ll reach the point in the trail where it again veers to the right, between two rock formations (pictured above). Past this point, the trail will briefly align with White Domes Road and lead you back to the parking lot, concluding your hike.

Accounting for some picture taking and additional exploring, hiking the White Domes Trail shouldn’t take longer than an hour or two, dependent on your level of fitness and experience, and how often you stop.

When is the Best Time to Hike White Domes Trail?

Obviously, the summer months are out due to the seasonal trail closure discussed above. That leaves early spring, mid-fall, and the entirety of winter. In case you’re wondering, yes, it does snow in Valley of Fire, but it’s rare and even when it does, it isn’t for long and melts away quickly.

My recommendation is to visit the park, and the White Domes Trail, in November. That’s when I came for my second visit and the weather was pleasant. The temperature maintained a comfortable 65 degrees throughout the day. The early morning was cold, though, so dress in layers.

My other recommendation is to start this trail early. White Domes isn’t nearly as sun exposed as nearby Fire Wave and Seven Wonders but in the middle of the day, it’ll definitely beat down on you. By starting your hike early in the morning, the canyon walls will provide shade for much of the hike.

Keep in mind that this will diminish the “pop” of the sandstone colors. If you’re here specifically for photography, that may not work for you. Conversely, if that doesn’t bother you, then you can’t beat morning. My Dad and I started shortly after sunrise and not only did we have plenty of shade, we had the trail all to ourselves until the very end.

7 Historical Sites in Genoa You Should Explore

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.

The small community of Genoa, Nevada, set in the beautiful Carson Valley, is one of, if not the most historically significant sites in the state. This is because the town was founded as the first pioneer settlement in Nevada in 1851, a whopping thirteen years before it even gained statehood.

This happened when the John Reese Party, a group of Mormons from Utah, emigrated to what was then an area within the territory of Utah to set up a trade post to sell much needed goods and services to pioneers before they begin the final, most challenging leg of their journey to riches in the gold-dense California mountains.

That trade post would eventually become what we know today as “Mormon Station”. Prior to Reese establishing his trade post, pioneers were forced to stock up at the former final trade post before California’s infamous Sierra Nevadas in Salt Lake City, a hearty 500 miles away. You can see how it became so popular and successful.

As time went on, and especially with Nevada completing its statehood campaign in 1864, more and more of the town began to develop with additional residents moving here to stake their own claims with varying businesses and accolades. Some of which would stand the test of time and remain to this day, though many aren’t operating as they did in the 1800’s and early 1900’s.

If you’re a fan of Nevada history, a visit to Genoa is a must. There are many historical sites within Genoa, Nevada itself that are worthy of your time and in this post, I will discuss and recommend seven of them, and provide some context as to their historical significance. Let’s get into it.

1) Mormon Station Historic State Park

We’ll begin with the most historically significant site in Genoa - Mormon Station Historic State Park. As stated above, this is the site where it all began for Genoa and no visit to this charming town would be complete without it.

You’ll find it on the corner of Genoa Lane and Jacks Valley Road shortly after driving into town. There’s ample (and free) parking and best of all, the exterior portion of the former stockade is free to explore, while the accompanying museum only charges a paltry $1 to enter.

The museum is small, but packed with historical items germane to the site and area. A few items include wooden skis used by Snowshoe Thompson to traverse the California mountains, actual makeshift escape keys used by prisoners of the jail, a burnt piece of log from the original stockade, and more. The museum’s structure is a replica of a cabin, similar to the one lived in by Mormon Station’s founder, John Reese.

Throughout the grounds, you’ll also see the original structures of a former blacksmith’s shop and chicken coop, as well as examples of pioneer-era wagons, tools, a memorial statue of Snowshoe Thompson, numerous informational boards detailing the area’s history, and more.

READ MORE: “Visit the Historic Mormon Station in Genoa”

2) Snowshoe Thompson’s Grave Site

John A. “Snowshoe” Thompson, also known as the, “Mailman of the Sierras”, was an important figure in mid-to-late 1800’s Genoa, Nevada. When no one else would (or even could) Thompson, without ever being formally compensated, delivered the mail over the Sierras between Genoa, Nevada and Placerville, California through the heavily snow-packed mountains, using nothing but homemade skis (known as “snowshoes” back then).

This journey took him an average of three days when traveling west to California, and about two days when going back to Nevada. He was uniquely skilled to complete this demanding task, as Thompson was a native of Norway, and traversing mountains in this manner came naturally to him. In fact, on one occasion, Thompson was credited for saving the life of a man who was stranded in this portion of the Sierras.

Thompson passed away on May 17, 1876 after a brief illness and was buried in what is now the historic Genoa cemetery, a half mile north of town, in a shared plot with his family. His grave has become a tourist attraction of sorts, with signs pointing the way as soon as you drive into the cemetery grounds. Fittingly, a plastic toy of a USPS truck remains at his tombstone, a subtle nod to his sacrifice and service to a community in need.

3) Genoa Bar - The Oldest Bar in Nevada

You may not be into bars, I’m not either, but there’s no way you can pass up the chance to enjoy a drink at the oldest bar in Nevada. Genoa Bar opened in 1853, not long after Genoa was first settled and a full eleven years before Nevada was granted statehood.

Many celebrities and dignitaries frequented this bar, including the likes of Mark Twain, Teddy Roosevelt, John Wayne, Raquel Welch, Snowshoe Thompson, and more. The interior walls are adorned in quirky items, such as buffalo heads, old photographs, bottle caps, paintings, and more.

They feature a menu consisting of specialty cocktails, including their world-famous Bloody Mary. However, they do have a full bar and can make you just about anything you’d want if you’d rather have something simpler. There’s no food service inside, but there’s usually a food truck parked outside during the peak travel season.

READ MORE: “Enjoy a Drink at Genoa Bar: The Oldest Bar in Nevada”

4) The Hanging Tree

The Hanging Tree in Genoa Nevada is a morbid, yet historically significant site. Known as the “blackest day in Nevada history”, it is where Adam Uber, a drifter from California, was hung after shooting and killing local teamster Hans Anderson during a drunken fight at a local bar (not Genoa Bar discussed above).

Uber was taken into custody and thrown in a jail cell at the Genoa Courthouse that night. However, locals weren’t happy with the way Uber’s trial was going and instead, decided to take matters into their own hands.

Roughly a week or so after the killing, a drunken mob of vigilantes stormed the jail in the middle of the night, removed Uber from his cell, marched him down what is now Genoa Lane, and strung him from the tree you see in the photo above. To ensure he was dead, a vigilante then shot Uber in the head.

Just prior to his hanging, Uber was said to have cursed those in the crowd for, “several generations”. This was rumored to have actually come to fruition, as those who took part in the hanging began to die in suspicious ways. In an effort to quell the curse, locals cut down the branch Uber was hung from. The tree, however, remains standing to this day and a plaque was placed near the stump of the cut branch.

5) David Walley’s Hot Springs Resort

In the late 1850’s, a young New Yorker by the name of David Walley came to Genoa to do what many came here to do - strike it rich. However, his luck didn’t come from the golden hills of California or the Comstock Lode in Virginia City, like it did for so many others. Instead, it came from the earth’s mantle just a mile and half from town.

While digging a tunnel nearby, Walley stumbled upon the hot springs. Once he took a dip and experienced the benefits of the springs for himself, he purchased the land and began charging folks fifty cents to experience it for themselves. Later, in the early 1860’s, an opulent 40-room resort hotel was built on the property, playing host to numerous celebrities and dignitaries over the years.

The property has had numerous owners throughout its history, including the current owner, IHG Resorts and Hotels. Today, a few original aspects of the resort remain, including one of the stone pools. Additional rooms and suites have been added, in addition to an on-site restaurant, 1862 Restaurant and Saloon. You can find rates and booking information here.

6) The Pink House

This Gothic Revival-style house was built in 1855 and was home to many Genoa families, the most notable of which include the Reese family, who were the founders of the original settlement. The most known resident, however, was Lillian Finnegan, who went on to found the annual Candy Dance festival.

Today, the former house serves as a restaurant, offering guests a variety of tasty dishes, including pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, steaks, and more. There’s plenty of seating throughout the property, including on the front porch, in the living room, and outside in the side yard.

There are a few notable places to eat in Genoa, but The Pink House is the only one listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its significance and importance to Genoa and Nevada as a whole. It’s a great place to eat after working up an appetite exploring the area.

7) Genoa Courthouse Museum

In my opinion, one of the best things to do in Genoa, Nevada is exploring the many exhibits at the Genoa Courthouse Museum. It’s easy to get to as it’s right across the street from Mormon Station State Park and just down the street from The Pink House.

Entrance fees to the museum are minimal and include access to both levels. A few of the exhibits include a recreation of Snowshoe Thompson’s cabin with items actually owned by him, the refurbished Genoa courthouse, and the downstairs jail, with the original cells included.

In case you’re wondering, yes, one of the cells you’ll see here is where Adam Uber, the drifter from California discussed above, was taken from by the group of vigilantes and hung at the Hanging Tree. It was an eerie feeling stepping inside those cells.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Genoa Courthouse and have no doubt you would as well. Keep in mind that they’re only open seasonally and even then, their hours are minimal. Check out my post about the Genoa Courthouse Museum for all of those details.

READ ALSO: “Step Back in Time at the Genoa Courthouse Museum”

Visit the Historic Mormon Station in Genoa

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.

Mormon Station History

When searching for the best historic places in Nevada to visit, it doesn’t get much better than the site of the first settlement in the state, Mormon Station Historic State Park in the charming town of Genoa city, Nevada.

It was here in 1851 where the John Reese Party emigrated from Utah to construct the Mormon Station. While often referred to as a “fort”, it, in fact, never served as such. There was never a military presence, nor did any battles take place here.

Instead, it was actually a stockade, which is defined as an enclosure of walls built with logs placed vertically, side by side. Instead of cannons and officer’s quarters, you would often see grazing oxen, stable sheds, bails of hay, and a small vegetable garden. In addition to the stockade, John Reese also built a hotel and blacksmith shop near the stockade.

The purpose of the stockade was to house oxen and other farm animals, in hopes to sell them to other emigrants traversing the trail. Additionally, the stockade provided protection from thieves, as these animals were highly valuable, while also providing refuge in the event of an attack.

In addition to the stockade, John Reese and party cultivated about thirty acres of land and planted many fruits, vegetables, and grains. Many emigrants coming through were astounded to see fresh crops, as many claimed it was the first bit of cultivated land they’ve seen since leaving the Missouri River - a distance of nearly 2,000 miles!

Thanks to James Marshall and his discovery of gold in California in 1848, the rush was on, and Mormon Station served as an important supply stop for those braving the mighty Sierra Nevada Mountains with gold in their eyes. The station was badly needed as the final supply station prior to Mormon Station was in Salt Lake City, nearly 500 miles away.

Mormon Station Fees and Parking

Parking is both plentiful and free at Mormon Station Historic State Park. There’s a small gravel lot in front of the side entrance, just off of Genoa Lane. If this is full, additional parking can be found along Jacks Valley Road in front of the museum and/or the Snowshoe Thompson memorial statue.

If on the off-chance both of these areas are full, you can park across the street on either Genoa Lane or Jacks Valley Road, or in a small parking area adjacent to the Genoa Bar and Saloon. From the saloon, it’s a quick walk to the station.

The only fee you’ll have to pay is the meager price of $1 per person to enter the museum. Entry into the exterior portion of the station is free, though. So if all you want to do is walk the path and check out the displays, you can do so free of charge. Though I do recommend popping into the museum, as there is a lot to look at in there.

Mormon Station Exterior Path and Displays

The exterior pathway and its displays can be accessed from either side of the log-built wall, in addition to the main entrance adjacent to the museum. Again, access to this portion of the park is free. One thing to keep in mind is that, unfortunately, the station you see today isn’t original, but a replica.

In 1910, a massive fire ripped through Genoa city, Nevada, and destroyed many of the original structures in town. There wasn’t much left of the original station so in the late 1940’s, the replica was built in order to honor and help preserve what is essentially the birthplace of Nevada.

*Fun Fact: Nevada didn’t become a state until 1864, thirteen years after Mormon Station was built. Since Nevada became a state during the Civil War, it earned the moniker, “Battle Born State”

That shouldn’t stop you from visiting, though, as there are many artifacts on display that were used during that period, as well as those actually owned by John Reese and Snowshoe Thompson, Genoa’s mailman who traversed the Sierras using skis to deliver the mail between Genoa and Placerville, California.

The paved pathway within the log-built walls of the former trade post leads around the beautiful green grounds and features numerous informative boards that detail the history of both the station and the area. You’ll also see an example of a pioneer camp set up, a replica of a covered wagon, and a stagecoach used by pioneers.

On the other side of the station in the wagon shed, near the official entrance closest to the museum, are more examples of wagons and tools used at the station and elsewhere. The wagon on the left side of the photo below was actually used to traverse the Sierra Nevada Mountains. You must see it in person to truly appreciate how hard the pioneers had it as it pertained to travel.

To continue to tour the grounds, keep on the paved pathway and walk beyond the walls towards the other side of the grounds. On that side is a historical home, that was built on the site once occupied by the hotel John Reese built, and an early 1900’s chicken coop and blacksmith’s shop.

This isn’t the blacksmith’s shop that John Reese built, rather it was built and owned by a man named, Nels Morrison, who in 1908 used material from the former White House Hotel, which sat on the site where the shop is now, to build the structure.

By the time Nel’s shop opened, the days of Genoa being a transportation hub for pioneers were finished. Instead of repairing wagons and stagecoaches, his work typically involved repairing a variety of farm machinery, horse shoeing, and forging branding irons.

As far as the exterior grounds area of the park is concerned, that’s about it as far as things to see. Once you’ve checked everything out, now would be a good time to head over to the Mormon Station Museum and explore the exhibits inside.

Mormon Station Museum

The Mormon Station museum is a near exact replica of the log cabin built and lived in by John Reese and his family. While the park itself is always open, the museum’s hours vary by day and season. They are:

• May - September: 10am - 4pm, daily

• October - April: 11am - 3pm, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays

As stated above, the cost to enter the museum is only $1 per person and I highly encourage you to visit it. When you first walk inside, you’ll immediately see a full-size replica of Reese’s rock-built fireplace and next to it, the sole surviving piece of wood from the original stockade lost by the 1910 fire.

There about four rooms in the museum, each with a variety of artifacts ranging from the actual skis used by Snowshoe Thompson to deliver the mail over the Sierra Nevadas to California and his mail bag, to an interesting range of keys used by prisoners to escape their cells at the old Genoa jail.

Once you’re finished looking around the museum, head outside and take a look at the memorial statue of Snowshoe Thompson and read the two or three historical markers that detail the founding of Mormon Station and Genoa, in general.

If you look at the statue from the right angle, it almost appears as though Thompson is looking out towards Genoa Canyon, which is fitting as that was one of the routes he would take to work his way to California with his mail bag in tow.

From here, continue your history tour of Genoa by crossing the street and taking a self-guided tour of the Genoa Courthouse Museum. When finished there, walk a few minutes down Jacks Valley Road and enjoy a drink at the historic Genoa Bar and Saloon, the oldest bar in Nevada. Then, walk a couple minutes down Genoa Lane and enjoy lunch at The Pink House.

PSALM 91

Enjoy a Drink at Genoa Bar & Saloon: The Oldest Bar in Nevada

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.

Genoa Bar and Saloon History

Genoa Bar and Saloon opened back in 1853, a whopping eleven years before Nevada even became a state, making it the oldest bar in Nevada. It was opened in Genoa city, Nevada, which two years prior in 1851 became the first settlement for white settlers in Nevada.

Thousands of people from all walks of life enjoyed a drink (or two) on its historic bar top, from early locals such as Snowshoe Thompson, Genoa’s mailman who delivered mail over the mountains between Genoa and Placerville, California, to well-known celebrities and dignitaries such as actor John Wayne, President Teddy Roosevelt, and author Mark Twain.

Even the prohibition era couldn’t stop the bar, as it managed to survive the devastating years (for alcohol) between 1920 and 1933 by operating under the guise of a soda fountain shop. You have to give the owners at the time points for creativity.

Genoa Bar Hours, Drink Menu, and Food Offerings

The Genoa Bar in Nevada operates every day of the year, opening at 10am with no set closing time, simply stating they’ll, “close when the last patron leaves”. That could be 5pm or 2am. If you’re here during Genoa’s peak season, I wouldn’t worry too much about showing up and finding a locked door (unless you show up during Vegas hours).

However, if you’re visiting during their off season, I would recommend showing up around opening time or soon after if you had your heart set on visiting. While there are plenty of locals in Genoa to keep the bar busy, I’m sure their traffic ebbs and flows with tourism levels, so they likely close earlier than usual during that time.

Their drink specials menu is posted on both the outside and inside of the bar. Many of these drinks are crafted cocktails, including their famous Bloody Mary. Their prices are actually reasonable, as I’m used to seeing prices for cocktails reach the $20 mark and their most expensive (listed) drink costs $11.

During my visit, they had a food truck parked outside of the bar near the parking lot. I’m not sure if this is a regular thing or not but if it is, I’d imagine it’s only during the peak tourism season. There is no food served at the bar itself, just drinks.

I didn’t eat here as my friend and I were holding out for lunch at The Pink House, but I looked them up and it appears as though they offer a variety of burgers and sandwiches, along with optional sweet potato fries.

Genoa Bar and Saloon Interior

As you walk up to the front door, you’ll see historical markers proudly displayed on the brick walls, as well as old signage with vague directions to various places such as Virginia City, Dayton, and Hangtown (Placerville). This is in addition to the, “No Horses Allowed”, sign that’s hung in the window.

Once inside, you’ll immediately take note of the cluttered (in a good way) walls. The historic bar top will be to the left and to the right is some additional seating, a pool table, and select merchandise for sale.

Aside from the collection of random decor on the walls, another thing you’ll take notice of is the smell. It isn’t a bad smell, but you’ll immediately know you’re in a very old building. If I had to describe it, it smells like old cedar wood. Again, not a bad smell, just a distinctive one.

Looking around the walls, you’ll see taxidermist deer and buffalo heads, old clocks, signage with quirky quips, old black and white photos, chandeliers with obvious patina, faded but still very visible boudoir paintings, and more.

They don’t charge you to enter the bar, but it’s always good idea to support local businesses, so my friend and I decided to try one of their featured drinks. I went with the Lavender Lemon Fizz ($9). It’s made with Tahoe Blue vodka, lavender syrup, fresh lemon juice, and lavender aroma sugar.

I’ve been into lemon and lavender drinks lately and considering this was already a hot day, I found it deliciously refreshing. I’m definitely going to come back, though, as I live relatively close by and there’s a couple other drinks I want to try. When I do, I’ll be sure to update this post.

You don’t have to order one of the featured drinks if you don’t want to. They have a full bar and can make just about anything. My friend ordered a simple vodka cranberry, for example. They also have most of your usual beers on tap as well.

Even if you’re not a drinker, I highly recommend paying Genoa Bar and Saloon a visit for the historic value alone. While you’re there, be sure to visit the historic Mormon Station across the street, the Genoa Courthouse Museum down the street, and enjoy lunch at the historic Pink House nearby.

PSALM 91

Step Back in Time at the Genoa Courthouse Museum

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.

Located in the small, highly historic town of Genoa is the equally historic Genoa Courthouse Museum. This museum is packed with Genoa history, displaying the original courthouse with restored furniture, the ground-floor jail, a blacksmith shop, a Snowshoe Thompson exhibit, and more.

Considering most people visit Genoa in order to invoke the feeling of nostalgia, it would be criminal not to visit the museum. If you want to take it a step further, you could even retrace the steps of the, “blackest day in Nevada history”.

In 1897, the murderer of a local teamster met a violent end when an angry mob of locals took the man from his jail cell in the courthouse and marched him to a tree a quarter-mile away, where he was ultimately hung. Both the cell and tree involved in the hanging remain to this day.

With all of the history contained in this building, I believe it’s one of the best historical places in Nevada to visit. So what are the museum’s hours? How much does it cost to visit? What’s the parking situation like? I answer all of these questions and more in the post below. Let’s get into it.

Products I recommend bringing with you to Genoa…

• Sony Alpha Mirrorless Camera

• DJI Osmo Pocket 3 (for video)

• Outback Nevada: Real Stories from the Silver State (book)

Genoa Courthouse Museum Hours, Location, and Fees

As stated above, the museum is located in Genoa, which itself is located within Carson Valley, between the larger cities of Gardnerville and Carson City. From Gardnerville, it’s about 8.5 miles away. From Carson City, it’s just about 13 miles.

If you’re driving in on Jacks Valley Road from the north (Carson), you’ll arrive to the museum shortly after entering Genoa city limits. It’ll be on your right, across the street from Mormon Station. From the south on the same road, you’ll find it just after the one and only intersection in town on your left.

If you’re driving in from the highway on Genoa Lane, you’ll turn right at the stop sign at the intersection. The courthouse will be on your left shortly after turning. There isn’t much of any parking in front of the courthouse, but there’s plenty right across the street along the road.

One thing to keep in mind is the museum is only open seasonally, between the months of April and October. In those months, it’s open daily between the hours of 11am and 3pm. Occasionally, the museum offers docent led tours but more often than not, tours are self-guided.

I found the entry fees to be reasonable. They accept both cash and credit cards as payment. As of 2024, the fees are as follows:

• $5.00 - Adults

• $2.00 - Youth (there wasn’t a defining age cut-off for what’s considered “youth” posted)

• Free - Kids aged 0 - 6

Genoa Courthouse Museum Tour (Ground Level)

As stated above, tours of the museum are largely self-guided, though they do offer docent led tours from time to time. If you’re interested in that, it’s best to contact the museum directly to inquire about docent tour schedules. Also, I will only give minor details about the exhibits as to not spoil your visit.

When my friend and I visited the museum we did the self-guided option, so that’s what this post will focus on. There are two levels to the museum, each featuring their own exhibits. You can start and end your tour however you wish, and even go another round if you wanted.

On the ground level are four rooms (not counting the bookstore) that feature multiple exhibits. The first two rooms, which are located directly next to the stairwell, feature a classroom exhibit and a set up of what the recorder’s office looked like. All of which contain artifacts that were used in each respective environment, including actual court case records and property deeds from the period.

An interesting feature of this museum is that almost none of the exhibits are roped off and you’re free to wonder about them. Of course, they do ask that you not touch anything but aside from that, there are very few restrictions. This is rare as at most museums, you have to stand behind a rope and view exhibits from a distance.

The next room displays many photos and artifacts of the Wa She Shu tribe, who inhabited the area near Lake Tahoe near the Nevada and California border, including what is now Genoa, prior to the arrival of white settlers. The most prevalent artifact are the many examples of hand-woven baskets and hand tools.

In the room behind this one is an example of a local blacksmith shop and the exhibit perhaps most people come here to see - the historic jail. The two cells and accompanying bathroom aren’t recreations. These are the actual cells that people were detained in.

It was one of these cells that Adam Uber, the man who killed teamster Hans Anderson in 1897, was kept in. In a fit of rage on November morning, an angry mob of locals stormed the courthouse, overtook the Sheriff and Undersheriff, marched Uber a quarter-mile away to a tree and hung him from it.

This would become known as the, “blackest day in Nevada history”. While the branch he was hung from was cut down, the tree still remains and is identified by a plaque. To get there, walk or drive down Jacks Valley Road and turn left onto Genoa Lane. The tree will be on your right and marked by the plaque pictured below. You can’t miss it.

This isn’t meant to glamorize what happened, as it’s an unfortunate part of the state’s history. In order to learn from it, though, it’s important to preserve sites such as this tree and these cells. To access the next floor, walk back into the bookstore area of the museum and head up the stairwell near where you paid to get in.

Genoa Courthouse Museum Tour (Second Level)

The main attraction in the upstairs portion of the museum is the courthouse. This is the actual room where trails took place and most of the displayed furniture is of the period, though most of them have been restored.

Much like the rooms downstairs, you’re free to walk about the courthouse, including the area where the attorneys and defendants used to sit. The only roped off area is behind the bench, where the judges would preside over trials.

The room directly across from the courthouse is an exhibit on John “Snowshoe” Thompson, who made regular trips over the Sierra Mountain Range to deliver the mail from Genoa to Placerville, California, using a pair of homemade, wooden skis.

*Note: You can see the actual skis he used in the museum at Mormon Station State Historic Park across the street

In this exhibit, the main draw is a recreation of his cabin, complete with actual furniture and other household items which belonged to him. On the walls, you’ll find letters written by him, photos, and a map showing the routes he would take when delivering the mail.

Other exhibits in the upstairs portion of the museum include the front panels of the Genoa post office counter and accompanying mail slots, both of which predate Nevada as a state. You’ll also see an example of what a child’s room looked like in Genoa’s early days, and one on George Washington Gale Ferris Jr - a Carson City native and inventor of the Ferris Wheel attraction.

As you can see, there is much more to this museum than just the jail and courthouse exhibits. There’s so much local history packed into this relatively small building, that you could literally spend hours looking around. If you ask me, it’s well worth the five bucks.

When you finish up at the museum, walk across the street and explore the historic Mormon Station State Park, the site of the first settlement in Nevada. Then, take a few minutes walk down Jacks Valley Lane to enjoy a drink at the oldest bar in Nevada, the Genoa Bar and Saloon. From there, head over to The Pink House for a delicious meal.

PROVERBS 16:9

Exploring Yellow Jacket Mine: Site of Nevada’s Worst Mining Disaster

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.

Yellow Jacket Mine Disaster

Located in the tiny community of Gold Hill, just down the road from Virginia City, sits the remnants of the abandoned Yellow Jacket Mine. While there are hundreds of abandoned mines in Nevada, the Yellow Jacket’s unfortunate claim to fame makes it stand out from the rest.

On April 7, 1869, the Yellow Jacket became the site of Nevada’s worst mining disaster when a fire broke out at the 800-foot level of the mine, entrapping dozens of miners. The cause of the fire is often debated, but the general blame points to an unattended lamp.

The honeycomb-shaped timbers burned and smoldered, eventually collapsing and flooding Yellow Jacket, as well as connecting Kentuck and Crown Point mines, with poisonous gas. Firefighters made several attempts to rescue the trapped miners, but kept getting pushed back by flames and smoke.

All told, between 35-40 miners (and potentially more) lost their lives that day. To make matters worse, up to eleven of those perished miners’ remains are still entombed in the depths of Yellow Jacket, as rescuers weren’t able to reach them due to the continuous fires, and had to seal them off.

While horrific, the timing of this fire was actually fortunate because it happened during a shift change and a minimal amount of miners were working at the time. Had the fire occurred in the middle of a shift, the body count likely would have been much higher.

A few weeks later, miners would return to work at Yellow Jacket, as it was considered safe due to the affected areas of the mine being sealed off. Although the mine produced over $16.5 million in ore by 1889, Yellow Jacket would suspend major operations by 1894, and shutter for good by the 1920’s.

I recently paid a visit to this abandoned Nevada mine with my wife and explored its remains. There wasn’t much left, but being able to retrace the history of the property with the equipment that did remain made it a great outing on a weather-perfect day. Let’s get into it.

Yellow Jacket Mine Location & Parking

As mentioned above, Yellow Jacket Mine is located in Gold Hill, which is just down the road from its better known counterpart, Virginia City. It sits on the property now owned by the Gold Hill Hotel.

While Yellow Jacket is technically on private property, the owners of the hotel don’t seem to mind people exploring it, as a couple employees walked by us while we were there and didn’t say anything. Additionally, online reports seem to indicate the same.

There is paved parking on a hill directly adjacent to the hotel and restaurant. Additional parking can be found by driving to the top of the lot and turning left. You’ll see a sign ahead indicating where to park. If you happen to be here during the restaurant’s operating hours, it’s probably best to park there to keep the lot open to its patrons.

There’s no fee to park. Nor is there a fee to enter the property. If you feel inclined to do so, you could always support the owners by dining in their restaurant, Crown Point. The hotel and bar have been opened since 1861, making it the oldest operating hotel in the state. In fact, famed novelist Mark Twain enjoyed a beverage (or two) in that very bar.

Exploring the Remnants of Yellow Jacket Mine

The first thing you’ll likely see upon driving in is the old miner’s cabin, which once served as a break room for miners in between shifts. It has since been converted into an Airbnb of sorts, and is rented out to guests through the hotel.

Behind it is the head frame for the elevator shaft, which lowered the miners into the mine. The entrance into the mine shaft has been completely filled and sealed off, but you can clearly make out its outline. Near the head frame are numerous pieces of rusted equipment you can check out as well.

To the left of the first structure is a second one that looks identical to the first. Based on my research, this building was used as the main office and assay. An assay was where ore samples were tested and processed. These days, they’re simply called, “labs”.

Off in the distance from there is another mill. This structure is the former Crown Point Mine, which was separate from (but connected underground to) Yellow Jacket. This mine was also affected by the fire. You can go inside and explore the structure. I attempted to, but kept getting chased away by angry hornets (an omen, perhaps?).

Just past the second structure, and before Crown Point Mine, you’ll notice a linear dirt path which works its way to the top of the hill. You’ll take this path to access the incline chute. When you get up there, you’ll notice the train tracks.

These tracks are active, so be sure to keep an eye out for trains. During our visit, we encountered the V&T Railway conducting a tour of the area. The train stopped, the conductor gave his spiel to their patrons, and moved on. If this happens during your visit, just wait it out for a few moments because they stop right in front of the chute.

Just across the train tracks is the incline chute used to deliver ore from within the mine to the surface and from there, onto train cars. The easiest way to access the top of the incline chute is by going up the path located to the right of it.

There is a chain between two concrete posts about halfway up the path. I’m assuming this is an attempt to block access to off-road vehicles, as there’s no presence of trespassing signs and the chain is easy to step over. It was maybe knee-high on me (for context, I’m 5’9).

When you reach the top of the hill, you’ll immediately take notice of the decaying structure with metal walls and a fenced-off area to the left of it. Inside the structure is the motor and lifting mechanism (with steel cable intact) for the incline chute.

On the other side is an unguarded doorway you can use to enter the structure. If you prefer to stay outside, the items inside are clearly visible through the windows and separations between the walls.

In the fenced-off area is a shaft where the ore was brought up to the surface from the different levels of the mine. After breaking the surface, it would then be sent down the incline chute and into a train or ore cart below.

I have no idea how deep it actually goes but by the time Yellow Jacket ceased operations, the mine reached a depth of 3,080 feet. Needless to say, it’s advisable to not jump the fence for a closer look. You could send a drone in there, but there were many birds moving around in the shaft.

From here, there isn’t much more to see aside from general exploring. Watch your footing around the area of the incline chute (both up top and along the bottom). I saw many holes along the rock wall near the chute. Some were guarded and some weren’t.

Is Yellow Jacket Mine Haunted?

The answer to that question all depends on perspective. I can say that during our visit, neither my wife or myself witnessed or heard anything unusual. At one point, when I was at the top of the incline chute, I thought I heard a voice. However, that was quickly debunked when I noticed the V&T Railway conducting a narrated tour in the distance.

Aside from exploring the remains of the property, that was the only excitement we experienced. Your milage may vary, though. This property is regarded as one of the most haunted places in Nevada, as many others have reported sightings of ghostly apparitions and voices.

That said, many men did perish inside the mine. Additionally, the Gold Hill Hotel itself has been subject to paranormal activity. So much so that the crew from the “Ghost Adventures” TV show have visited this location more than once. Take that as a grain of salt, though. It is a TV show, after all.

PSALM 121:8

Incline Village: 5 Things To Do In Summer

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.

Incline Village, an upscale area located on the north shore of Lake Tahoe, often gets overshadowed by the south shore of the lake. Many don’t realize that Lake Tahoe is actually located within two states, California and Nevada.

While the California side often gets the lion’s share of the attention, the Nevada side of Tahoe is more than worthy of your vacation time as well. Incline Village, which is on the Nevada side, has many popular activities to keep you busy. Some argue that it even rivals the California side.

So what are the top things to do in Incline Village during summer? There’s plenty of hiking trails, water activities, beaches, and local restaurants to choose from, but which ones are the top attractions? In this post, I’ll present to you five activities that I feel you would enjoy most.

Products I recommend for a visit to Incline Village

• INFLATABLE STAND UP PADDLE BOARD

• NORTH FACE DAY HIKE BACKPACK

• HYDRO FLASK WIDE MOUTH WATER BOOTLE

• CITRONELLA SPRAY (A deet-free way to keep the bugs off of you)

• SUN BUM MINERAL SPF 50 LOTION

• BLENDERS ECLIPSE POLARIZED SUNGLASSES

• SONY ALPHA MIRRORLESS CAMERA

1) Hit the Hiking Trails

If there’s one thing any shore of Lake Tahoe isn’t lacking, it’s hiking trails. Many regard Incline Village, and the north and east shore of Tahoe in general, as the “hikers sides” of the lake since they have a heavy concentration of trails.

A few of these include the historic Stateline Lookout, Folsom Camp Loop, and Mount Rose Peak (just a ten minute drive from Incline Village). The most popular hiking trail in Incline Village proper, though, has to be Monkey Rock.

Monkey Rock is a relatively short trail, clocking in at just 2.6 miles, out and back, that leads to a granite rock that strongly resembles that of a monkey. Additionally, the views of the north and east shores of the lake from there are outstanding.

The trail isn’t difficult but because of the incline segment of the final push, I would rate it as moderate for some, but easy for those who hike a lot. If you’ll be visiting Incline Village, hiking to Monkey Rock is a must as it’s one of the premiere hikes in the area.

READ ALSO: Hike to Monkey Rock for Incredible Views of Lake Tahoe

2) Enjoy a Tasty Meal at Several Local Restaurants

While not generally known as a culinary mecca, Incline Village does have its fair share of wonderful, locally-owned restaurants. Many of which are directly next to many hiking trails, beaches, and the like.

A few that receive high praise from visitors and locals alike include FUMO Cafe, Crosby’s Tavern, Inclined Burgers and Brews, Sage Leaf, and Tunnel Creek Cafe. The latter of which is a personal favorite of mine, due to its relaxed atmosphere, service, and tasty food.

It’s located next to two insanely popular trails in Incline Village, the above mentioned Monkey Rock and the soon-to-be-discussed Tahoe East Shore Trail. This alone makes it a super convenient spot to grab a pre or post-hike meal.

READ ALSO: Enjoy a Post-Hike Meal at Tunnel Creek Cafe

3) Take a Clear Kayak Tour of the East Shore

Kayaking has always been a popular activity in Lake Tahoe. In fact, I had my first experience doing so kayaking out to the Fannette Island Tea House in Emerald Bay. In recent years, what’s known as “clear kayaking” has grown in popularity, particularly on the lake’s east shore.

Clear kayaking enables you to fully enjoy the lake’s crystal clear waters by looking straight down through your kayak. A company called Clearly Tahoe conducts regular tours from Incline Village, leading kayakers through the popular east shore of the lake and out to famed Bonsai Rock. If you’re interested, you can contact them here.

4) Spend a Beach Day at Sand Harbor State Park

Just a five-mile drive from the center of Incline Village, Sand Harbor State Park is the crown jewel of the Nevada State Park system and is easily one of the top destinations in all of Lake Tahoe. So much so, that it’s often in contention with California’s Emerald Bay in terms of popularity.

You could carve out an entire day to spend at Sand Harbor since there’s so much to do there. Most people set up their beach tents or umbrellas and just relax, jumping in and out of the cobalt blue waters to cool off. There’s also an on-site restaurant, a nature trail, and boating opportunities.

Since Sand Harbor is mega-popular destination, the park will often close due to full capacity within a couple hours of opening, particularly during the summer months. Due to this, a new reservation policy was implemented in 2024 for weekends, with the full, daily requirement rolling out in 2025.

Given its popularity, reservations are going to be competitive. To avoid having to worry about it, simply take the East Shore Express shuttle, which picks up in Incline Village and drops off at Sand Harbor. If you go this route, you won’t have to worry about obtaining a reservation.

READ ALSO: Sand Harbor Beach Lake Tahoe Reservation Policy

5) Walk or Bike the Tahoe East Shore Trail

Just a few miles outside of Incline Village proper is the trailhead for the Tahoe East Shore Trail. It’s a three-mile long, paved trail that hovers above the gorgeous east shore stretch of Lake Tahoe, and terminates at Sand Harbor (though there is currently construction underway to expand the trail beyond Sand Harbor).

Visitors of the trail can walk or bike this path, and along the way to Sand Harbor are many offshoot trails leading to several coves and beaches that were once difficult to dangerous to access. Some of these include Hidden Beach, Granite Cove, Mountain Vista, and Sunset Cove.

In addition to the shuttle mentioned above, walking this path into Sand Harbor is another way to avoid the reservation policy. Though it is a three mile trek from the parking lot to Sand Harbor so to save time (and energy), you can purchase a bike rental at Flume Trail Bikes. They have regular pedal bikes in addition to e-bikes.

No visit to Incline Village would be complete without experiencing this gorgeous trail. Even if you don’t walk or bike the entire thing, it’s an experience all its own and it’s always one of my top recommendations for things to do in Incline Village, and Lake Tahoe in general.

READ ALSO: How to Hike the Tahoe East Shore Trail

PROVERBS 3:23

Enjoy a Post-Hike Meal at Tunnel Creek Cafe

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.

When searching for the best places to eat in Lake Tahoe, many will point to the south shore and for good reason, there are a lot of solid options over there. However, there are many delicious options on the north shore near Incline Village as well.

One such option is the Tunnel Creek Cafe. It’s the sole restaurant situated near near two mega-popular hiking trails on the Nevada side of the lake. Those two trails are Monkey Rock and the Tahoe East Shore Trail.

If you’re planning to hike one of these trails during your visit to Lake Tahoe, and depending on when you plan to start and finish, Tunnel Creek Cafe is an excellent option for a pre or post-hike meal, as the food will fill you with the carbs needed to crush your hike and you can enjoy said meal in a relaxing, forest atmosphere.

Tunnel Creek Cafe Location and Parking

As stated above, Tunnel Creek Cafe is located in Incline Village on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe. If you’re coming from the direction of Mount Rose Highway, you’ll turn left onto Highway 28 to reach it. From Carson City or South Lake Tahoe, travel south on Highway 28.

When you get to Tunnel Creek Cafe, you’ll notice two sets of parking lots located right off of the highway. These lots are for the hiking trails and there’s a fee to use them. Tunnel Creek Cafe has its own, rather large (and free) lot you can use since you’ll be dining there.

People who use their lot to access the hiking trails are subject to being towed. I’m not sure if they’ll allow you to leave your car there to go hiking after your meal. You can ask, but if you are planning to hike before or after your meal, it’s best to play it safe and use the Tunnel Creek lots.

Parking here is charged by the hour and the amount changes according to day of week, time of day, etc. You can view current rates here. As stated above, you can access the Monkey Rock trail, which begins behind Tunnel Creek Cafe and the famed Tahoe East Shore Trail.

From the paid parking lots, there’s a side entrance near the bicycle rental place to the restaurant that provides quick access to the many outside seating options.

The Restaurant

The restaurant sits on a quiet edge of Incline Village and Lake Tahoe, surrounded by towering pines. It gives the feeling of dining in an old lakeside cabin and blends in with its surroundings quite nicely.

They have both indoor and outdoor seating. The interior portion is minimal and honestly, feels a bit cramped. However, between the multi-leveled decks and ground-level tables, outside seating is not only plentiful, but preferred by most (based on what I’ve observed).

This is one of those restaurants where you order and pay first, and then find a seat. They’ll assign you a number to place on your table and your food will be brought out to you. You’ll queue up through the main entrance and order from the sole register.

Tunnel Creek Cafe Menu

I’ve been to Tunnel Creek Cafe a few times and each time I’ve gone, I’ve always found the food to be pretty good. I wouldn’t rate it as amazing or anything like that, but it does the job. This is especially true if you’ve been hiking and need to replenish.

For the most part, you’ll find a number of burger, sandwich and salad options for lunch. For breakfast, I can personally recommend either the breakfast burrito or the Creme Brulee French Toast. Both of these are solid choices.

The breakfast burrito is decently sized and is filled with your choice of protein (I went with bacon), two eggs, hashbrowns, black beans, and cheese with a side of salsa and piece of watermelon. It’s filling for sure, but I wish it had more flavor.

During my lunch visit, I ordered a cold beer (they have a variety on tap) and their Hoss Burger, which was topped with gouda cheese. Interestingly, fries were not an option as a side. However, you do get a serving of their house-made potato chips, which are delicious.

The burger itself was decent, as the gouda cheese gave it a distinct flavor from the usual American or cheddar cheeses. Unfortunately, the patty was a bit overcooked, though this seems to be the exception and not the rule as past reviews give their burgers high praise. You can view the full menu here.

In conclusion, Tunnel Creek Cafe is a great place to eat on this side of the lake. It’s hard to beat its convenient location next to numerous hiking trailheads and its serene environment. Be sure to give it a shot.

Planning a visit to Lake Tahoe? If so, read my comprehensive guide on Emerald Bay to help ensure a smooth visit. For fantastic pizza on the California side of the lake, read about my experience at Base Camp Pizza. If you’re visiting in spring or early summer, check out these 5 beautiful waterfalls. Lastly, if you’re looking for a beach day, consider Round Hill Pines Beach Resort.

PROVERBS 3:23

Round Hill Pines: An Excellent South Lake Tahoe Beach

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.

When researching the best beaches in Lake Tahoe, popular options such as Sand Harbor, Baldwin Beach, and Emerald Bay often come up. While those are all solid options worth exploring, there’s another beautiful beach you may want to consider - Round Hill Pines.

Located on the famed south shore of Lake Tahoe (on the Nevada side), Round Hill Pines offers its visitors a pristine beach, the same incredibly clear water Tahoe is known for, a beach-side bar, an on-site restaurant, water vessel rentals, and more.

My wife and I recently spent the day at Round Hill Pines for her birthday. I wasn’t planning on posting about this place, so I left my camera at home. I ended up liking it so much I ended up scrambling to get photos with my cell phone so I could share it with you.

In this post, I’ll discuss topics such as how to get to Round Hill Pines, how it costs to visit, the food/drink situation, and more. Let’s get into it.

Getting to Round Hill Pines and Parking Prices

Getting to Round Hill Pines is fairly straight forward, as the entrance to the parking lot is right off of Highway 50 and is well signed. If you’re coming from the Sand Harbor or Carson City area, the entrance will on your right, just a few miles after passing Zephyr Cove.

From the direction of Sacramento or Emerald Bay, you’ll arrive to the exit on your left about 8-10 minutes after crossing the state line into Nevada.

Round Hill Pines’ parking lot is fairly large and multi-tiered, with spaces for many vehicles. The day-use/parking fee is $12, cash only (as of our visit in August 2024). That fee covers your parking and beach access only. Note that if you arrive after 5pm, the parking fee is waived.

As is the case with most things in Lake Tahoe, the earlier you arrive, the better. We arrived right at 8am (when they open) and were one of just a few vehicles. When we left around 2pm, the parking lot was nearly full. This was in August, which is a busy time for Tahoe. If you’re here during the outside months, you’ll have more leeway.

Round Hill Pines Restaurants and Bar

Round Hill Pines has an on-site restaurant called Beach Bums Bar and Grill and Rum Bar on the Beach, a beachside bar. Beach Bums is situated to the left of the main path leading to the beach from the parking lot and Rum Bar is to the left of the stairwell, in front of the restaurant.

The restaurant is walk-up and order style, where they’ll then bring your food out to you. There’s ample seating in the restaurant’s outdoor deck, but if you prefer, they’ll also bring your food to you at your spot on the beach. Simply tell them and they’ll give you a numbered flag to place at your spot.

Rum Bar on the Beach Drinks

Both of the establishments open at 11am. While Beach Bums closes at sunset, Rum Bar doesn’t have a specified closing time. The website states that hanging out at Rum Bar during sunset is can’t-miss (I’m paraphrasing), so it likely stays open well past that.

While Rum Bar serves many specialty cocktails and classic drinks, their two most popular choices are the Pain Killer and Rum Rummer drinks. The Pain Killer is a slushy concoction of pineapple and coconut, topped with a variety of rums and fresh nutmeg.

The Rum Runner is a unique blend of tropical fruit juices, rum, and Round Hill Pines’ signature rum floater. They’re both fantastic and stand out from one another. The Rum Runner packs more of a punch with rum flavor, while the Pain Killer’s flavor favors more of the sweetness from the pineapple and coconut.

Personally, my favorite was the Pain Killer (I ended up downing a few of these). If you’re someone who likes your drink on the stronger side, you’ll likely favor the Rum Rummer. Honestly, you couldn’t go wrong with either option. They’re both great.

Beach Bums Bar and Grill Menu and Food

Unfortunately, the great drinks at Rum Bar is where my excitement ends as it pertains to the food and drink options. The resort’s on-site restaurant, Beach Bums, offers many selections for all sorts of palettes but the items we tried left much to be desired.

For starters, we ordered the chicken wings with guava habanero sauce ($11.75). I have to be honest, these were the worst wings we’ve ever had. The chicken itself was so bland the sauce couldn’t save it. There was no seasoning at all, and it tasted as if the chicken was boiled, instead of baked or fried.

For our entrees, I ordered the Smoked BBQ Bacon Burger ($24.75) and my wife ordered the Mahi-mahi Tacos ($21.75). The burger came doused in bbq sauce and topped with applewood-smoked bacon, white cheddar, muenster, and an onion ring.

It was decent, but nowhere near worth $25 and had way too much cheese on it. Additionally, the bun was practically worthless as the burger itself was more than twice its size. Additionally, I paid an extra $2.00 for sweet potato fries that were bland and soggy.

My wife said her Mahi-mahi tacos were just ok, as the fish had decent flavor, but there were two different sauces on the tacos and way too much of it. So much so, that the sauces practically drowned out the flavor of the seasoned fish.

Of the three offerings, the tacos were the winner, but only by a slight margin. As stated above, my burger was decent, but definitely not worth $25. The soggy fries only made it worse. They deliver your food to you in these plastic containers which to be fair,, does trap the heat, but often results in soggy food.

Your milage may vary, but my recommendation is to pack a picnic and enjoy that with a Pain Killer (or two) on the beach. My opinion of the taste of the food is my own and a matter of perspective, but the prices are far and away what I would consider “par for the course”…even by Tahoe standards.

Round Hill Pines Beach and Rentals

There are many activities to partake in at Round Hill Pines. The favorite among many being just hanging on the beach itself. In comparison to other South Lake Tahoe beaches, it’s on the smaller side, but spacious nonetheless. Sand Harbor has it beat as far as visual standards go, but that’s about it.

As stated earlier in this post, we arrived early (8am) to secure our choice of beach space. There was only one other person here when we arrive but as the morning progressed, it became more and more populated. In the photos below, the first one was shortly after we set up (about 8:30) and the second was around 10am.

While this fairly minor by Lake Tahoe standards, it just goes to show how quickly the crowds at these beaches get dense. I forgot to take another photo of the same angle, but the below photo was from the dock and was taken shortly after 12pm. Again, I stress to you the importance of arriving early. Especially in July or August.

Aside from hanging out on the beach, there’s a hut near the marina where you can rent a variety of water vessels. Round Hill Pines recommends securing your rentals online ahead of time. You can do at this link. Rentals include:

• Boats

• Sea Doos

• Kayaks and SUP Boards

• Pedal Boats

• and more

Additionally, you can book a cruise around Lake Tahoe (including Emerald Bay) on a 63-foot yacht, called the Tahoe Serenity. Cruises are 2.5-hours long and include snacks and beverages. If you place an order ahead of time from Beach Bums, you can enjoy an onboard lunch. You can book cruises here.

Lastly, further down the beach is a volleyball net available for all guests to use. Pretty sure you’ll need to bring your own volleyball, but it doesn’t hurt to ask one of the employees if they have any on-hand. By the way, the photo below showcases our beach set-up. I’ve provided Amazon links to nearly everything in the photo if you’re interested.

• Beach Tent (Sun Shelter)

• Beach Blanket (Water and Sand Proof)

• Beach Chairs

• Portable Camping Table

• Hanging Fan with LED Lantern

• JBL Bluetooth Speaker

• OOFOS Sandals (the most comfortable sandals I’ve ever worn)

• Citronella Spray (a DEET-free way to keep bugs away - bees are everywhere in Tahoe)

Round Hill Pines Common Questions

Does Round Hill Pines Beach allow dogs?

No, dogs (or any pet) are not allowed.

Is there a lifeguard on the beach?

No.

Can I BBQ on the beach?

For the protection of the surrounding environment, gas and charcoal grills are not allowed on the beach.

PROVERBS 3:23

Hike To Monkey Rock For Incredible Views Of Lake Tahoe

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.

In an area with many landmarks, Monkey Rock stands as one of Lake Tahoe’s most iconic and sought after. Its popularity has exploded over the last few years due to its status on social media sites such as TikTok and Instagram.

This short and sweet Lake Tahoe hiking trail takes hikers above Incline Village, the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, to a rock formation that, when observed at the right angle, looks an awful lot like a monkey sitting on the hillside taking in the views.

Many, however, would argue that Monkey Rock is only a bonus to this hike, as the real payoff is in the views of the lake you’ll get once you reach it. As much as I love odd and interesting rock formations, I’d be hard-pressed to disagree with that statement.

If you’re looking for a family-friendly hiking trail in Lake Tahoe, or you’re traveling to the lake and want to see as many of the highlights as possible, Monkey Rock is one trail you definitely do not want to pass up. There’s a few things you’ll need to know, though. Let’s get into it.

Trail Stats

• Location: Incline Village, NV (Lake Tahoe)

• Fee: Parking fees apply

• Permit: None

• Open: All year, but difficult to access in winter

• For: Hikers

• Cell Service: Good throughout most of the trail

• Restroom: In the parking lot

• Parking: Two large lots near Tunnel Creek Cafe

• EV Stations: None

• Difficulty: Moderate

• Popularity: High

• Mileage: 2.6 miles, out and back

• Time: Two hours or less

• Elevation Gain: 479 feet

• Condition: Well maintained and easy to follow

• Features: Rock formation in the shape of a monkey/epic views of the lake

• Pets: Allowed on leash

• Drones: No signage stating you can’t

• Hazards: None, other than usual wilderness hazards

• My Visit(s): May 2024

Monkey Rock Lake Tahoe Parking

The trailhead for Monkey Rock can be found in Incline Village, which is in the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe. Parking for Monkey Rock is located at the Tunnel Creek and Deer Creek parking lots, which are both adjacent to the Tunnel Creek Cafe. They’re located just a few miles from the Sand Harbor turn off.

These parking lots are the only available parking for Monkey Rock and the adjoining Tahoe East Shore Trail. There is no legal parking at the trailhead proper. There’s a private residence up there and they make their disdain for those trying to illegally park perfectly clear.

You can refer to the above photo for current parking fees. They’re based on several elements, such as time of year, time of day, day of week, etc. For reference, I arrived on a Tuesday at 7:30am and paid for three hours. My total was $6.00. You’ll need to know your license plate number and it only accepts plastic for payment.

Due to this area’s popularity, you’ll want to arrive as early as possible. When I got there at 7:30am it was just me and a couple other vehicles. By the time I finished with the hike (about (9:30am) both lots were nearly full.

To make your way to the actual trailhead to Monkey Rock, make sure you’re walking in the direction away from Tunnel Creek Cafe if you parked in the Tunnel Creek lot. There’s a road that runs adjacent and above the cafe (Tunnel Creek road). Take this road up to the trailhead.

If you get turned around, there are many red signs in the area to point you in the correct direction. Just remember, if the road is going above Tunnel Creek Cafe, then you’re going in the correct direction. You’ll also pass a blue sign warning you of wildlife being present in the area.

When you get to the top of the road, you’ll see a private residence on your right and trail signage on your left. Up ahead will be the official trailhead for Monkey Rock. During my visit, there was construction happening shortly into the trail on the right.

The Monkey Rock (Tunnel Creek) Trail

Once you’re past Tunnel Creek road, the trail becomes sandy and remains that way throughout the entirety of the hike. If you’ve done any hiking in Tahoe, you would know how infamously rocky many of its hiking trails are. I’m happy to report that the Monkey Rock trail is probably the least rocky trail in Tahoe I have been on.

Initially, the trail is mostly flat with only a slight, barely noticeable incline. If you have started early, you’ll enjoy a lot of shade on this stretch of the trail from all the tall trees. Down below you, you’ll notice you are hiking parallel with and above the Tahoe East Shore Trail, which I define as more of an urban hike in a forrest setting.

About a third of a mile into the hike you will come to a green gate with a spur trail heading off to the right. Keep straight past the gate. The spur trail eventually connects you to the Tahoe East Shore Trail, which would be an excellent extension to your hike on the way out. This is also where you’ll start getting those epic Lake Tahoe views.

You’ll see other spur trails on both sides of the trail. Just continue straight on the wide sandy path. Shortly after the green gate you’ll come to two wooden pillars on each side of the trail with, you guessed it, another spur heading off to Hidden Beach.

After these wooden pillars is when the trail begins to climb and it will remain that way until just before you reach Monkey Rock. The incline is a slog, but it isn’t difficult. If needed, there are plenty of rocks to sit on and compose yourself. From here, you’re only a quarter mile or so away.

One thing to note is the side trail that spurs off to the left from the main trail (pictured above). You won’t be able to miss it. Shortly after those wooden pillars and across from a community water bowl for dogs is where it’s located.

This trail will take you to Monkey Rock, but it is much steeper than what lies ahead of you. Additionally, based on other reports I’ve read, it isn’t much shorter than the actual trail and thus, not worth the extra effort.

At right about the 1.3-mile mark of the hike, you’ll come across two more wooden pillars with a wooden board running across the ground between them on your left (pictured above). There’s an easily missed sign with an arrow on it. Take this trail to the left to continue to Monkey Rock.

Shortly after turning onto this section of trail and heading up a short and sweet incline, you’ll see a boulder pile in front of you (pictured above). To get to Monkey Rock, stay to the right of the boulder pile. Eventually, Monkey Rock will come into view just off the sandy path.

If you’re like me and you’re fascinated with interesting rock formations, Monkey Rock will surely leave you in awe, as it does resemble a monkey relatively closely. Do know, though, that while the rock has always looked like a monkey, it did receive a little help in attaining its current form.

Monkey Rock is easily viewed and photographed from the path. If you feel inclined, there’s another path that’ll take you down to it. Though if you have any kind of zoom on your camera, it’ll likely be unnecessary to do so.

On the other side of the boulder pile, there’s an excellent view of the lake awaiting you. From there, you can faintly see Sand Harbor State Park, sections of the Tahoe East Shore Trail, and parts of the east and north side of the lake.

When you’re done taking in the views and getting your photos of Monkey Rock, simply head back the same way you came in. Since it’s all downhill from here, you should be able to get back to your vehicle in about twenty minutes or so.

Keep in mind the spur trails you saw coming in that led to the Tahoe East Shore Trail. If you have time on your parking slip, it would be an excellent extension of your hike. Or simply head to Hidden Beach and cool off with a dip in the lake. You can read about the TEST here and Hidden Beach here.

Common Questions About Monkey Rock

Where does the Monkey Rock trail start?

Unofficially, it begins on Tunnel Creek road, just behind Tunnel Creek Cafe on the east side of Lake Tahoe. Officially, the actual trail begins at the end of Tunnel Creek road.

Is Monkey Rock a hard hike?

That’s totally subjective, but I wouldn’t classify it as hard. Distance wise, it’s on the easy side, but the final push near the end could make it difficult to some. Overall, I’d rate it as easy for some and moderate for most.

Is Monkey Rock natural?

Yes and no. Yes in the sense that it’s an actual granite rock that highly resembles a monkey, but no in the sense that it did receive some help to give it more definition.

How long is the hike to Monkey Rock?

Based on the GPS on my apple watch, it’s 2.6-miles, all in.

How can I see Monkey Rock?

The only way to see Monkey Rock is by either hiking or biking up to it. It is not visible from the road.

What elevation is Monkey Rock?

Monkey Rock is roughly 500 feet above the Tunnel Creek parking lot.

Planning a trip to Lake Tahoe? To get information on camping and recreational activities, read my 2024 Emerald Bay State Park guide. Also, to read more about the Tahoe East Shore Trail, go here. If you’re into kayaking, read my Kayaking to Fannette Island post. Lastly, chase waterfalls in my 5 Best Lake Tahoe Waterfalls post.

PROVERBS 3:23

Red Rock Canyon: The Ultimate Travel Guide

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.

Red Rock Canyon is a stunning desert oasis in Southern Nevada, just 15-miles or so from the Las Vegas strip. The park’s landscape includes stunning mountain peaks, maze-like canyons, sandstone ridges, an abundance of wildlife and endless recreational opportunities.

If you are traveling with small children who cannot partake in the adult-only activities on the strip, Red Rock Canyon is an excellent alternative that the entire family can enjoy together. Likewise, it’s a great way to take a break from casino hopping. Some common activities in the park include:

• Hiking

• Rock Climbing

• Photography

• Wildlife Viewing

• Bike Riding

• Scenic Drive

• and more…

Due to this, Red Rock Canyon has become a mega-popular destination, attracting upwards of three million people annually. Before visiting, there are several things you need to know. For example, dependent upon when you’re visiting, you may need a reservation.

Additionally, there are other aspects to Red Rock you need to know, such as entry fees, parking, the unfortunate vehicle breaks-ins that occur with regularity, which hiking trails to hit and more. Don’t visit Red Rock without consulting this guide first. Let’s get into it!

Red Rock Canyon Timed Reservations

Timed reservations for Red Rock Canyon are required during the park’s peak visitation season, which for the 2023/2024 season is October 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024. Normally, peak travel season would mean the summer months, but because of the triple digit temperatures the area sees in the summer, less people visit during this time.

If you plan to visit during this timeframe, you will need a reservation. Even if it’s a fee-free day. Timed reservations can be made and purchased online through Recreation.gov in one of two booking windows. Those windows are:

• Primary Booking Window: Thirty days prior to your intended visit beginning at 7am.

• Secondary Booking Window: Additional reservations are made available two days in advance. For example, reservations for November 3 will be available beginning November 1 at 7am.

During the process of making your reservation, you can also pay your entry fees, including an annual pass. If you already have one, including the America the Beautiful pass, simply state so while making your reservation.

When making your reservation, you’ll need to select what time you want to enter the park from the list of available times. Be sure of your choice because they’ll only give you thirty minutes for early or late entry. Meaning, if you chose 9:00am, the earliest you could enter is 8:30am and the latest would be 9:30am.

Additionally, keep in mind that there is no re-entry during the reservation period. You can stay in the park as long as you want but if you leave, you’ll need another reservation in order to re-enter the park.

Remember, if your visit falls outside of that timeframe, you don’t need to worry about making a reservation. You’ll still need to pay entry fees, but that’s it.

Red Rock Canyon Fees and Parking

How easy or difficult parking is to come by at Red Rock Canyon depends on several aspects, such as season, day of visit, time of day, how crowded it is, etc. Visiting on the off-season, arriving to the park early and coming on a weekday nearly ensures a hassle-free experience.

I visited in August, way outside of the park’s peak season. Though I had to deal with triple digit heat, the park was a literal ghost town and I had no issue with parking at any of the trailheads or any traffic jams on the scenic drive.

The first and largest parking lot is at the visitor center just inside the entry gate. From there, there are several parking lots dotted along the scenic drive at various trailheads and viewpoints. The largest of which are at the Calico Hills and Calico Tanks trailheads.

Much like most parks in the national park system, there are entry fees associated with visiting Red Rock Canyon. The fees for 2024 are:

• $20 per vehicle

• $10 per motorcycle

• $8 per bicyclist

• $5 per pedestrian (walk-in)

• $50 for the Red Rock Canyon annual pass

• $80 for the ‘America the Beautiful’ annual pass (good for all national park sites)

The first four fee categories listed are for a single day. Meaning if you plan to visit on multiple days, you would need to pay the entry fee on each day. If you’re planning to visit for three or more days in a calendar year or are visiting multiple national park sites, it may make sense to purchase one of the two annual passes.

How Much Time You Need at Red Rock Canyon

The scenic drive in Red Rock Canyon is only 13-miles from beginning to end but with so much to do and see, that 13-miles could take a while to get through. If all you want to do is drive through the park and take in the sights, 45-minutes to one hour is all you would need.

My recommendation, though, is to commit to more time than that. There are so many hiking trails, viewpoints and sights to see that you could easily spend an entire day (or three) in the park.

If you’re on a time crunch, I recommend choosing one hiking trail to hike (such as Calico Tanks) and driving the scenic drive. If you choose an easy to moderate trail at a few miles or less, it shouldn’t take you longer than a few hours to do that, plus the scenic drive.

How to Get to Red Rock Canyon

If you’re like most people, you’ll be visiting Red Rock Canyon from somewhere in Las Vegas, proper. From the Las Vegas Strip, Red Rock Canyon is only about 20-30 minutes away (by car), depending on where you’re staying.

You’re in an even better position if you’re staying in Summerlin, as hotels such as JW Marriott are only 10-15 minutes away. The closest conceivable hotel to the park, Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa, is less than a two-mile drive from the gate.

While you are allowed to walk to bike into the park, I highly recommend visiting in a car. There is no public transportation going to or within the park and since cell phone signals are spotty (at best), ride sharing options aren’t reliable.

Before driving to Red Rock Canyon, make sure your gas tank is full as there are no fuel services in the park. Also, bring with you an insulated cooler and stuff it with as much water as you can fit. Dehydration is a very real threat during a visit to Red Rock Canyon. So bring more than you think you’ll need.

You’ll also want to bring food with you as there aren’t any concessionaires in the park. There are a number of restaurants within a few miles of the park and the closest grocery store, Albertsons, is less than a mile away on W Charleston blvd.

The Best Time to Visit Red Rock Canyon

With an average of 295 days of sunshine and only four inches of rain per year, there are very few bad times to visit Red Rock Canyon. Still, each season has its own positives and negatives, so it’s a good idea to know ahead of time to avoid being caught off-guard.

Red Rock Canyon in Spring

Spring time, early spring specifically, can be a great time to visit Red Rock. Daytime temperatures rarely exceed 77 degrees, but nighttime temperatures hover around 50 degrees. This makes hiking during the day quite comfortable, but it’ll be chilly at night if you’re planning to camp.

One of the downfalls to visiting in spring, though, is how windy it can get. Wind can happen anytime of year at Red Rock but in March and April, gusts have been recorded at 60+ mph. Aside from that and the chilly evenings, spring is a great time for hiking and climbing.

Red Rock Canyon in Summer

If all you’re looking to do is take a lap around the Red Rock Scenic Drive and pop out here and there to take in the views, then summer is fine. If you’re looking to hike or rock climb, however, the hot weather can make a summer visit a potentially dangerous one.

With an average daytime temperature of 93-degrees and not much shade on the park’s hiking trails, dehydration is a real concern. A concern that I, unfortunately, know all too well. I, stupidly, hiked the Calico Tanks trail on a triple digit day and despite drinking lots of water, I started feeling the effects of dehydration on my way back to the car.

If you’re key on hitting the trails, my recommendation would be to visit in the spring or fall. If you must hike in the summer, go on a day with the lowest possible temperature and get an early start so you’ll be off the trail before the mid-day heat sets in.

Red Rock Canyon in the Fall

The benefits of visiting Red Rock Canyon in the fall are:

1. The daytime temperatures are significantly better than they are in the summer.

2. The fall foliage colors in contrast to the red rock makes for a stunning sight.

One significant drawback to fall, though, is it’s when monsoon season hits. So it’s imperative to check the weather forecast before heading to Red Rock (be sure to look up the weather for Red Rock, specifically, as it can differ greatly from nearby Las Vegas, proper).

Also, ready yourself for potential seriously high winds as much like in the spring, gusts can reach 60 mph or more. However, amidst all that wind, you’ll bare witness to the leaves and other foliage changing colors, creating a beautiful contrast to the red rocks.

Winter in Red Rock Canyon

If you’re planning to visit Red Rock in the winter, prepare yourself for chilly conditions as daytime temperatures average around 57 degrees and dip down to an average of 32 degrees at night. Needless to say, bring a warm jacket and dress in layers.

The upside to this time of year are the epic sunsets you can catch from various points in the park, including and especially from the various mountain peaks. If you do decide to hike up to the peaks, keep an eye out for patches of snow and ice.

While it doesn’t snow too often, it isn’t unheard of to see accumulated snow around the scenic drive and visitor center. Additionally, it tends to rain in the winter more-so than any other time of year, so be sure to bring an umbrella and a waterproof layer of clothing.

Things to Do in Red Rock Canyon

1) Drive the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive

One of the most popular things to do in Red Rock Canyon is to drive the 13-mile, one-way scenic drive that winds through the park. There are pull-outs and parking lots dotted along the road at several of the park’s most popular trailheads and lookouts.

2) Hit the Hiking Trails

There are many hiking trails in Red Rock with varying levels of difficulty. A couple of the easier trails include Pine Creek Canyon and the historic Petroglyph Wall. Two of the park’s most popular trails, Calico Tanks and Icebox Canyon, fall into the moderate category. If you’re looking for more of a challenge, Turtlehead Peak and Kraft Mountain Loop offer just that.

3) Book a Horseback Riding Tour

Access areas of the park only possible on horseback by booking a horseback riding tour through Viator. This two hour tour doesn’t require any experience and allows you to experience the rugged side of the park. Pay later options are available.

4) Try Your Hand at Rock Climbing

Red Rock Canyon is a rock climber’s paradise. If you’re still learning how to climb and aren’t comfortable going out on your own, there are many tour options available. If you are experienced, though, you’ll love the free range of options and solitude Red Rock provides.

5) Stop by the Visitor Center

A visit to the park wouldn’t be complete without stopping by the visitor center. Inside, there are many artifacts found in the park and exhibits detailing the history of Red Rock.

6) Take a Shaka Tour of Red Rock Canyon

Download a Red Rock Canyon Shaka Guide. It’s like having a personal tour guide in the car with you. Packed with useful information and stories of Red Rock, you’ll follow your Shaka Guide around the park, hitting up numerous stops such as the historic Petroglyph Wall, hike the Sandstone Quarry, enjoy lunch at Willow Springs and more!

Be Sure to Hide Your Valuables

Unfortunately, Red Rock Canyon has been fraught with vehicle break-ins in recent years in areas both outside and inside of the park. What happens is the criminals wait for people to make their way down a hiking trail and then inspect their vehicle. If they see something, they’ll smash out the window and grab the item(s).

To combat this issue, the Friends of Red Rock Canyon have been raising funds to increase the amount of cameras in the park’s parking lots. Furthermore, increased patrols from park rangers have been implemented.

However, to help ensure your windows don’t get smashed out, it’s best to keep all valuables hidden in the trunk. This includes backpacks, coolers (especially Yeti branded ones), cameras, wallets, cell phones, branded clothing such as The North Face and anything else that could be perceived as valuable.

Red Rock Canyon Frequently Asked Questions

Are dogs allowed at Red Rock Canyon?

As long as they’re leashed and never left unattended, you are allowed to bring your dog(s) to Red Rock Canyon and its hiking trails.

How much time should I spend at Red Rock Canyon?

You should, at minimum, allocate two to three hours if all you want to do is the scenic drive and see the main highlights. If you want to hike multiple trails, though, I recommend setting aside two full days, at least.

Can I enter Red Rock Canyon without a reservation?

Yes and no. If you’re visiting between October and May, then yes, you’ll need a timed reservation. June through September, however, you can come and go as you please as reservations are not required during these months.

How far is Red Rock Canyon from Las Vegas?

From the Las Vegas Strip, Red Rock Canyon is around 20-miles (give or take) or a 30-minute drive away.

Which is better, Red Rock Canyon or Valley of Fire?

Both! Honestly, there’s no way to compare the two. They’re each amazing in their own right and I highly recommend visiting both. You can read my one-day at Valley of Fire itinerary here for inspiration.

Is there cell service at Red Rock Canyon?

Cell service is nearly non-existent at Red Rock Canyon.

Are there bathrooms at Red Rock Canyon?

Bathrooms are readily available at Red Rock Canyon. The visitor center has one and additionally, most of the trailhead parking lots and pull-outs have (rather clean) vaulted toilets.

Is there public transportation to Red Rock Canyon?

No. Additionally, due to limited cell service, ride sharing isn’t a viable option.

Is flying a drone allowed at Red Rock Canyon?

Yes! Flying a drone in the park for recreational purposes is allowed.

PROVERBS 3:23

The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Fly Geyser in Gerlach

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.

Located roughly two hours from downtown Reno along the infamous Burner Byway is one of the weirdest, but most fascinating places you can see in Nevada; Fly Geyser. The geyser is located on a 3,800-acre parcel of land known as Fly Ranch in the outskirts of the small Nevada town of Gerlach.

Abutted against Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, the location of the annual Burning Man Festival, Fly Geyser has been attracting Nevadans and tourists alike for years due to its bright colors and its reputation as an accidental man-made wonder.

In the early 1960’s, a geothermal power company was drilling in the area when they accidentally penetrated a geothermal source. The workers attempted to plug it but were unsuccessful, which over time led to its development. Calcium carbonate deposits, in conjunction with the scolding hot water, began to form, creating the spectacle you see today.

Since it’s still active, the geyser is constantly changing. From its colors and width to its height and appearance, no two visits are the same. Even the docents, who conduct weekly tours of the geyser, often see changes in the geyser’s appearance.

In this post, I’m going to discuss several aspects of the Fly Geyser tour, such as how much it costs, what to expect and more. Additionally, I’ll cover other things to do in Gerlach, such as where to dine and stay the night. Let’s get into it.

How to Get to Fly Geyser

As stated above, Fly Geyser and Fly Ranch are located in the small town of Gerlach, Nevada, about two hours north of Reno and just over an hour from Fernley. Getting to the geyser requires more driving, as it’s about twenty miles from town.

The geyser is visible from the road, but barely. You can make it out and see the water shooting out from the top, but you won’t be close enough to see its details and truly appreciate it. Since it’s on private property, the only way to see it up close is to take a tour.

Fly Geyser Tour Price and Details

Access to Fly Geyser (and Fly Ranch in general) is only available through a tour conducted by Friends of Black Rock. In 2024, their tour season is April through October, on Saturdays, and there’s only one tour held each day. Prices for the tour are as follows:

• $50 plus a $3.50 service fee

While tickets can be purchased on the day of the tour, it isn’t advisable to wait as tours often sell out. You can purchase your tickets ahead of time here. You can either print your tickets or simply save them to your device and present them upon arrival.

On the day of your tour, everyone will meet at the Friends of Black Rock visitor center at 320 Main Street to check in and sign waivers. From here, the tour group will caravan over to Fly Ranch and Fly Geyser with a docent at each end to ensure nobody gets lost.

Your tour will last approximately three hours and you’ll leave the visitor center between 10:30am and 11:00am. There is a bathroom at the visitor center you can use, but there will also be portaloos at the ranch and at the geyser.

Tour Stop One - Fly Ranch

The first of two stops you’ll make on your tour is the area of Fly Ranch where the former ranch home is located. From the parking lot, your tour guide will take you on a 45-minute to one hour nature walk through the property to multiple art installations built at and used for Burning Man.

Your tour guide will detail the region’s history and ecology as you walk. Aside from the burner art pieces you’re also likely to see wild horses, dramatic landscapes and migrating birds.

The tour of the ranch portion concludes at the famed Baba Yaga House located near the playa. Aside from the geyser, the Baba Yaga House is sure to the most interesting thing you’ve ever seen (or at least seen in a while).

It was built for Burning Man in 2018 and placed at Fly Ranch in 2019 with a five-year lease (meaning this could be its final year at the ranch). The house is supported by two huge chicken legs and despite its small appearance, has two levels. A bird cage outside the exterior of the second level acts as a deck of sorts.

Amazingly, tour participants are permitted to walk up the wooden stairwell to check out the inside of the house and I highly recommend doing so. It’s cramped and there’s only one way in and out, but there are colorful flowers and other decor draped everywhere.

Once everyone has had a chance to see Baba Yaga House, you’ll head back in the same direction you came. Once you’re back at the car, your tour guide will give the group a chance to use the restroom and then you’ll all drive further up the road to the geyser.

Tour Stop Two - Fly Geyser

A few miles up the road from the ranch is Fly Geyser. The geyser will be within sight from where you park but as part of the tour, the docents will take the scenic route to continue educating you on the history and ecology of the area.

As you approach the geyser, you’ll be walking through tall grass where some people have had issues with ticks in the past. I was wearing shorts and didn’t have an issue with this but if you’re concerned about it, either wear long pants or tick repellant.

At the geyser there’s a wooden boardwalk flanking one side, concluding at an elevated platform. If your tour group is large, the docents will split the group in half so as to not overcrowd the boardwalk and the platform.

You’ll be given about thirty minutes to view the geyser and take all the photos and video of it you want. Afterwards, your tour guide will walk the group back to their vehicles and the tour is then concluded at that point.

Photography Rules at Fly Geyser

There’s much discussion online, including on the Friends of Black Rock website, about photography rules while on the tour. The website states, and I’m paraphrasing, that in order to connect with the land and get the most out of your tour, they request that you refrain from taking photos or video until the end of the tour.

People who have gone on the tour in the past echo this sentiment in their online reviews and fellow bloggers have mentioned it as well. While I don’t doubt what they’re reporting, what I can say is that wasn’t my experience at all during my tour.

For starters, none of the three docents leading our group said anything about taking photos before we left the visitor center. Likewise, they said nothing about it at any point throughout the entire tour. Everybody in the group was taking photos throughout the tour without consequence.

The only instance when the docents mentioned photos was as we approached a hot spring near the geyser that they didn’t want posted online. They’ve been having an issue with trespassers as of late and didn’t want photos of this hot spring geotagged.

I’m not saying your experience will the same, but the docents on my tour took no issue with people having their cameras out. If yours does, please be respectful and honor their request. You’ll be on private property, after-all.

Where to Eat and Stay at Fly Geyser

With a population of only 21, Gerlach doesn’t have a whole lot of businesses. In fact, the ones that are here survive mostly on the crowds that Burning Man and Fly Geyser bring in. So as I usually do on Inked with Wanderlust, I encourage you to support local business during your visit. A few of Gerlach’s restaurants include:

• Bruno’s Country Club

• Miners Club

• Joe’s Gerlach Club

• High Rock Pizza

If you want to make a weekend out of it, you can book a room in Gerlach’s only lodging, Bruno’s Motel. Just down the road from the hotel is the town’s only gas stationed name, you guessed it, Bruno’s. I don’t know who Bruno is, but he seems to be the Walt Disney of Gerlach.

The gas station’s market is only open seasonally, but the pumps are open 24/7. They also offer tire service if you find yourself in that predicament. For souvenirs, be sure to stop by Plant X where you can find interesting and unique pottery and other gifts.

Other Things to Do in Gerlach

Aside from Fly Geyser and Fly Ranch, there are quite a few other things to do in the area. All of which are of the outdoor variety. On the way to Fly Geyser, you'll pass a few entrances to the infamous playa where the Burning Man Festival is held. If the playa is dry enough, you can drive on it if you wish. Some other activities include:

• Rockhouding (Gerlach is a Rockhounder’s paradise)

• Take a day trip to Pyramid Lake

• Camping and RV’ing

• Explore Doobie Lane (or as it’s officially referred to as, “Guru road”)

• Take an ATV or side-by-side in the surrounding public lands

• Soak in hot springs

Planning a trip to Northern Nevada? If so, be sure to read 13 Awesome State Parks Near Reno. Furthermore, check out the International Car Forest of the Last Church in Goldfield. Lastly, don’t forget to visit the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe by Hiking the Tahoe East Shore Trail.

PROVERBS 3:23

Discover Rhyolite Ghost Town and Goldwell Open Air Museum near Beatty

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.

Nevada is known for many things, the most popular among them being ghost towns. With its rich history in mining, there are dozens of examples of these once booming mining towns spread throughout the state, many with structural remains.

One such example is Rhyolite, located just off Highway 95, just a few miles outside the Death Valley gateway town of Beatty. If you’re traveling along the highway, Rhyolite is easy to get to as all you’ll need to do is make a couple of turns to reach it.

There are many remains of the former structures to explore, but the ghost town isn’t the only attraction here. There is also the Tom Kelly Bottle House and the Instagram infamous Goldwell Open Air Museum, featuring several sculptures.

In this post, I’ll discuss several aspects of a visit here, including what to expect, the parking situation, how much it costs to visit and I’ll even throw in a bit of history. Let’s get into it.

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Quick Stats

• Location: Near the town of Beatty, NV

• Fee: None

• Open: All year, sunrise to sunset

• For: Everyone

• Cell Service: Spotty, at best

• Restroom: At the end of the road near the train depot

• Parking: Dirt lots at the museum and bottle house, “park where you can” in Rhyolite

• EV Stations: None

• Popularity: Medium to high

• Time: One to two hours

• Features: Desert art sculptures, a glass bottle house and historic building remains

• Pets: Allowed

• Drones: Allowed

• My Visit(s): August 2023

Directions to Rhyolite,Parking & Fees

As mentioned above, despite its remote location, Rhyolite is easy to get to as there are very few turns to make to reach it. It’s a mostly straight shot.

Coming from either Northern or Southern Nevada, you’ll find your way onto Highway 95 and continue until you reach the town of Beatty. If you’re traveling north, take a left onto Highway 374 for about four miles, then take a right on Rhyolite road.

If you’re traveling south, continue straight when you come to the stop sign in Beatty for about four miles and then turn right on Rhyolite road. From the Furnace Creek Visitor Center in Death Valley, follow CA-190 west for about 48 miles, crossing the Nevada border in the process, before turning left onto Rhyolite road.

Once on Rhyolite road, it’s a short drive to the attractions. The first of which you’ll drive up on will be the Goldwell Open Air Museum, followed by the bottle house and finally, Rhyolite Ghost Town.

Both Goldwell and the bottle house have designated parking lots, though they’re of the gravel variety and aren’t maintained well. The road leading up to Goldwell is paved, then turns to gravel around the bottle house. Past there, the road returns to asphalt before going through Rhyolite.

My Chevrolet Cruz managed the road and parking lots just fine, as did several other small vehicles that were there at the time, so no need to worry.

Goldwell Open Air Museum

The Goldwell Open Air Museum will be the first attraction you’ll come across during your visit to Rhyolite. You’ll find the parking lot on your left, with the visitor center and sculptures just feet away from the parking lot.

It is 100% free to park and explore the museum, but they do accept donations in the visitor center and online if you feel so inclined. The sculptures are in fairly close proximity to one another, so there isn’t a lot of walking involved here.

The sculptures were made by a group of artists led by Albert Szukalski, a Belgian-born artist who’s behind the museum’s most recognizable sculpture, The Last Supper (pictured below). The colorful designs make a beautiful contrast against the vast landscape of the Mojave desert.

The First sculpture, The Last Supper, was installed in 1984, followed up by Ghost Rider, which is located just steps from the parking lot.

As time went on, additional sculptures were added, leading to the creation of the open air museum. Sculptures continue to be added to this day. A few more examples include:

• Ghost Rider (1984)

• Lady Desert: The Venus of Nevada (1992)

• Icara (1992)

• Sit Here! 2000 (2023)

• Tribute to Shorty Harris (1994)

You can spend as much time as you want at the museum. While it is a popular place, it doesn’t seem to get too crowded, as I was here in August and there was only two other people here at the same time as me.

When you’re finished exploring the sculptures, take a left out of the parking lot and continue up the road for a few hundred feet before arriving at the Tom Kelly Bottle House parking lot.

Tom Kelly’s Bottle House

Just a bit further up the road on the right is the Tom Kelly Bottle House. It was built in 1906 by Australian-born Tom Kelly, who was a stonemason turned gold miner.

He built the house using over 50,000 beer, whiskey and medicine glass bottles, in which he obtained by paying local children ten cents per wheelbarrow full. In total, Kelly paid $2500 to construct the house.

While this one is the oldest and largest known glass bottle house in the United States, it isn’t the only one. Many don’t know that glass bottles were often used for home construction in the American West due to them often being cheaper than other material, such as stone or wood.

Another infamous example of glass bottles being used as construction material is Thunder Mountain Monument in Northern Nevada near Lovelock, though not nearly used as extensively as Tom Kelly’s.

Price wasn’t the only driver for using glass bottles. They do a great job at staying cool in the summer and retaining heat in the winter, a perfect recipe for Nevada desert living.

During filming for the 1926 film The Air Mail, Tom Kelly’s Bottle House, along with the rest of the structures in Rhyolite, were partially restored and featured in the film.

Unfortunately, due to past vandalism and theft, the bottle house has a locked fence surrounding the entire perimeter, making access to the house off-limits to the public.

You’re free to walk the perimeter, as there are numerous informational signs scattered about. At the rear of the home is where you’ll see the largest wall, almost entirely made with glass bottles and adobe mud.

As with the Goldwell Open Air Museum, there are no fees associated with Tom Kelly’s Bottle House. When you’re ready to proceed to the rest of Rhyolite, take a right out of the lot and continue forward.

Rhyolite Ghost Town Remains

The structural remains of a variety of Rhyolite businesses and public buildings can be found just up the road from the museum and bottle house. Until you reach the Train Depot at the end (which is also where a bathroom is located), there is no parking lot. Even then, parking is mostly just grabbing a spot that looks good.

The remains are dotted on both sides all along the road. If you see one you’d like to explore, just park on the side of the road and jump out. Most of the structures are fenced off for safety, though, so you can only explore so much.

Some of the historic buildings include:

• Porter Brothers General Store (pictured below)

• Caboose House

• Local School

• Cook Bank (pictured above)

• Train Depot

Rhyolite was founded in 1905 in the heart of the Bullfrog Mining District. What began as a humble two-tent operation exploded into a town of 5,000 people in just six months.

Despite being one of many mining towns in Nevada, Rhyolite stood out for its high quality ore, producing a total of one million ($27 million by today’s standards) in its first three years.

As is the case with all boom towns, it didn’t last forever. Issues such as deteriorating ore quality and the 1906 San Francisco earthquake literally derailing operations by destroying the railroad, lead the town’s decline by 1914.

The entire town would lose its electricity supply, causing the banks, newspapers, post office and train depot to shutter. By 1920, all that would remain in the town were 14 residents.

At the end of the road is where you’ll find the train depot, the most intact structure left. The windows have been boarding up, but the stone structure is nearly 100% intact.

The building is fenced off, with warnings of cameras being present, but there’s an intentional opening near the depot’s original entrance where you can enter and explore.

It appeared as if they were doing some kind of restoration project, as I’ve seen fairly recent photos of the depot without the fence. I wasn’t able to determine that one way or another, though.

I hope you get a chance to visit Rhyolite as it’s uniquely Nevada in every possible way and an important reminder of the state’s history.

Planning a trip to Southern Nevada? Be sure to read How to Spend a Few Hours at Valley of Fire in the Summer. Also read Explore the International Car Forest of the Last Church in Goldfield.

PROVERBS 3:23

See The Historic Petroglyph Wall at Red Rock Canyon

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.

Located within Red Rock Canyon Recreation Area, not too far from the Las Vegas strip, you can find an amazing example of Native America history - the Petroglyph Wall.

It’s easy to find as the road leading to it runs just off of Scenic Drive, the main road that runs through the park. Additionally, it’s easy to get to as it’s less than a quarter mile to the wall and back.

So what’s the parking situation like? How do you get to the trailhead? Are there any fees involved? I answer all of these questions, and more, in the post below. Let’s get into it.

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Trail Stats

• Location: Red Rock Canyon Recreation Site, Las Vegas, NV

• Fee: None for the trail, but Red Rock charges an entry fee

• Open: All year

• For: Everyone

• Cell Service: Spotty, at best

• Restroom: In the trailhead parking lot

• Parking: Semi-large, unpaved lot

• EV Stations: None

• Difficulty: Easy

• Accessibility: Not wheelchair or stroller friendly

• Popularity: Medium

• Mileage: Less than a quarter mile, there and back

• Time: 20-30 minutes

• Condition: Semi-maintained (follow trail markers)

• Features: Historic petroglyphs and mountain views

• Best Viewed: Any time of year

• Pets: Allowed, as long as they’re leashed

• Drones: Allowed for recreational purposes

• Hazards: None other than usual outdoor hazards

• Our Visit(s): August 2023

Petroglyph Wall Parking, Trailhead and Getting There

While there are no fees associated with Petroglyph Wall directly, there are fees you’ll need to pay to enter Red Rock Canyon and depending on the time of year you visit, reservations may be needed as well. Fees for Red Rock Canyon are as follows:

• $20 per vehicle

• $10 per motorcycle

• $8 per bicyclist

• $5 per pedestrian

• $50 for a Red Rock annual pass

• $80 for the ‘America the Beautiful’ pass

Additionally, between October 1 and May 31, advanced reservations are required to enter the park between the hours of 8am and 5pm. Reservations are available 30-days in advance and no re-entry is allowed. Scenic Drive is only one-way, so arrive early and have a plan in place.

To get to the parking lot and trailhead for Petroglyph Wall, simply drive for about eight miles from the Red Rock Canyon entrance. You’ll see the road ahead turning into a tight horseshoe. As the road begins to horseshoe, you’ll see Rocky Gap Road on your right. Turn there.

You’ll first come upon another parking lot for a different trail on your left, bypass this and continue until you reach the second parking lot, where the Willow Springs Picnic Area is. This is where you’ll park for Petroglyph Wall.

The trailhead is located at the north end of the lot, on the far left corner, across from Willow Springs. There’s a sign indicating you’re in the right spot (pictured above).

Trail to Petroglyph Wall

The trail from the parking lot to Petroglyph Wall, one-way, is just a tenth of a mile across a wash. The trail isn’t maintained all that well, but it’s still easy to follow as it’s dotted with the same trail markers you’ll find on most Red Rock Canyon trails.

After a short time, you’ll arrive to at Petroglyph Wall. The area surrounding the wall is small, with a couple trees providing a smidgen of shade. Near the wall, you’ll find informational signage detailing the facts of the petroglyphs.

The rock art on Petroglyph Wall is estimated to be at least 800 years old. Most of the art is found on one section of the wall (the dark part), but there are a few others scattered about.

This is far from the only examples of petroglyphs in Red Rock Canyon, but it is the easiest to access. While the trail isn’t stroller or wheelchair friendly, it’s accessible to children, the elderly and everyone in between.

Unless you’re a huge fan of petroglyphs, I don’t recommend visiting Red Rock purely to visit Petroglyph Wall considering the fees to enter the park. This is more of a bonus if you’re already planning to be here.

Where Do You Go From Here?

As stated above, Petroglyph Wall serves as an excellent bonus to your already planned visit to Red Rock. Considering that Scenic Drive and there is no re-entry during the reservation period, I recommend checking out the Calico Tanks hiking trail first, as it’s before Petroglyph Wall.

Beyond Petroglyph Wall, there’s another amazing hiking trail by the name of Icebox Canyon you should check out, as well as Pine Creek Canyon.

If you want further examples of petroglyphs, I recommend driving east to famed Valley of Fire State Park. There’s an equally easy example of rock art on Atlatl Rock, among other areas of the park. While you’re there, there are many other highlights in the park you can see in a relatively short amount of time.

Hike the Calico Tanks Trail at Red Rock Canyon

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.

If you live in the Las Vegas area or you’re planning to visit soon and you’re in search of local hiking trails, you can’t go wrong with one of the most popular in the area - the Calico Tanks Trail.

Located in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, right off the Scenic Drive, this trail takes hikers on a thrilling experience through red and white sandstone formations across rolling hills and inside the walls of a canyon, before ending at the famed Calico Tank and a jaw dropping view of the valley below.

While the trail length is moderate, coming in at only 2.4-miles, out and back, it’s far from your normal, everyday trail as there’s some mild scrambling required, increasing the time it’ll take to complete the hike.

Curious to see what the trail looks like? Want to know where the parking lot is and what, if any, fees are associated with this hike? I discuss all of that and more in the post below.

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Trail Stats

• Location: Red Rock Canyon National Recreation Area, Las Vegas, NV

• Fee: Up to $20 per vehicle

• Open: All year

• For: Hikers

• Cell Service: Spotty, at best

• Restroom: At the trailhead

• Parking: Large paved lot at the trailhead

• EV Stations: None

• Difficulty: Moderate

• Popularity: High

• Mileage: 2.4 miles, out and back

• Elevation Gain: 440 feet

• Condition: Trail is dotted with trail markers, but there isn’t much of a designated path for most of it. Bringing a map would be wise

• Features: Beautiful sandstone formations, the Calico Tank and a great view of Las Vegas at the end

• Accessible: Any time of year, but with the limited shade and the extreme heat, summer isn’t ideal

• Pets: Not allowed

• Drones: Not allowed

• Hazards: Little to no shade, sandy boulders and rattlesnakes

• My Visit(s): August 2023

Take a look at these products that I recommend for this hike…

• Salomon OUTPULSE Gore-Tex Hiking Boots

• Water Buffalo Hydration Backpack w/ 2L Water Bladder

• 50 UPF ANKOR Water and Sweat Resistant Hat

• La Roche-Posay SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen for Face

• Blenders Eclipse Sunglasses w/ 100% UV Protection (non-binary)

Red Rock Canyon Fees and Parking

While there aren’t any fees associated with the trail itself, the trail is located inside Red Rock Canyon, which does charge a fee to enter. Fees for 2024 are as follows:

• $20 per vehicle

• $10 per motorcycle

• $8 per bicyclist

• $5 per pedestrian

Furthermore, if you’re visiting between the months of November and May, a timed reservation will be required to access the park between the hours of 8am and 5pm. An additional $2 fee will be charged by Recreation.gov for these.

If you have any variation of the America the Beautiful pass, you can use it for entry here. You will still need a reservation during the months mentioned above, though. Conversely, you can purchase a Red Rock Canyon annual pass for $50.

The parking lot for the Calico Tanks Trail is easy to find, as it’s located just off Scenic Drive on the right. It’s fairly large, capable of holding several dozen vehicles or so, and is paved.

It’s the second parking lot you’ll encounter along Scenic Drive. The first one is for the Calico Hills and Basin, so don’t confuse the two (though this area is also worthy of exploring if you have the time).

Unfortunately, Red Rock Canyon experiences vehicle break ins and thefts at the most popular parking lots, Calico Tanks being amongst them. So don’t leave valuables in plain view.

Near the entrance, I pulled over to take a photo of the welcome sign and while doing so, I witnessed a black SUV pull over. A young man jumped out, looked into my car and the car parked in front of me, looked up and saw me, jumped back in his car and took off. So definitely heed the warnings.

The Trail

The trailhead is located at the northern end of the parking lot, next to the restrooms. There’s trail signage here advising visitors of potential hazards and/or trail conditions, so be sure to give them a quick read.

The trail begins in the shade of the large canyon wall and runs straight for about 30 yards, before pivoting right towards an area of gravel wash.

This area can be easy to lose at times as the trail appears to have been washed away by reoccurring flooding events. You’ll know you’ve went the right direction when you see two giant boulders on your left (pictured below).

Past these boulders, you’ll travel along a clear pathway for a short spell before coming across an even larger gravel wash field. Throughout this stretch, it would be advisable to have a map on hand as the trail is non-existent.

If you don’t have one, just keep an eye out for the trail markers and make your way to the next one the best you can, simply repeating the process until you’re back on the path.

After a short while, the trail will become obvious again and will narrow as it aligns with the canyon walls. It is here where your adventure truly begins.

If there’s been rainfall recently, you’ll likely encounter several large puddles of water and work your way through the canyon. None of them are deep or treacherous, though.

You can easily bypass many of them by utilizing the spur trails, but there is one in particular that forces you to either scramble over the sandstone or just accept the fact that your feet are going to get wet.

You’ll soon come upon the first of many large boulders you’ll need to negotiate in order to complete the trail. None of which are difficult.

There are no ropes or chains to hoist yourself up on, nor will you need any special equipment. Be sure to bring shoes or boots with good tread, though, as the sandstone is slick and sandy in some spots.

Much like at the beginning of the trail, there are several trail markers placed along this stretch indicating the best possible path, as there is no proper trail from this point forward.

You’re never out of eye-shot of one of these markers, so as soon as you make your way to one, simply look around to find the next and make your way there, watching your steps.

Depending on the time of day, you’ll have some shade on this section of the trail, but it’s mostly in the morning. As the sun gets higher, the amount of shade dissipates, leaving you more exposed to the Las Vegas heat.

It goes without saying, but you should bring as much water your shoulders can handle on this hike. It’s always better to bring too much than not enough.

You’ll know you’re nearing the end of the trail when you reach a series of sandstone steps, coupled with a dirt path leading you upward.

At the top of those sandstone steps, you’ll notice a notch in the distance. Just beyond that notch is where the Calico Tank lies.

The water level in the tank varies throughout the year. It can be anywhere from bone dry in the summer to full and frozen over in the winter.

Either way, it makes for a great spot to sit and enjoy a snack. There are numerous rocks to sit on along the trail on the south side of the tank. Additionally, if the water level is low enough, there’s a small area on the shore where you can sit.

Just beyond the tank is an outstanding view of Las Vegas and the valley. I did not go any further as I was feeling the effects of the day’s 108 degree heat and had to turn back.

From what I was told by others on the trail that day, you’ll need to do a little more boulder hopping past the tank to reach the overlook, but it’s only a few more minutes beyond the tank.

READ NEXT: “How to Spend a Few Hours at Valley of Fire in the Summer”

My Experience at Jade Asian Kitchen & Noodles in Las Vegas

Disclaimer: I am not a professional restaurant critic, nor has this restaurant offered me any incentive to write this post. My opinions are my own and are based on my personal experience only.

In Las Vegas, there is no shortage of amazing places to eat. People from all over the world and all walks of life come to Vegas so thus, there are many restaurants serving a wide variety of delicacies.

While many websites focus on places to eat on or near the Las Vegas strip, I feel there isn’t enough representation of great places to our outside of the stip.

During my recent visit of Valley of Fire State Park and Red Rock Canyon, I stayed at the JW Marriott in the community of Summerlin. If you’ve ever stayed at a JW, you’ll know they’re known for being large properties with many restaurants and other offerings.

One such restaurant at the JW Las Vegas is Jade Asian Kitchen & Noodles, located behind the hotel’s palms tower, down a beautiful marble floored hallway, right across from Starbucks.

I was famished after spending half the day exploring Valley of Fire and was looking to replenish those lost calories. After a quick Yelp review search, I decided to book a table at Jade.

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Disclaimer: I am not a professional restaurant critic, nor has this restaurant offered me any incentive to write this post. My opinions are my own and are based on my personal experience only.

Restaurant Info

• Location: JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa

• Address: 221 North Rampart Blvd.

• Cost: $$$$

• Food: Fresh sushi, Teppanyaki and other Asian dishes

• Open: 5pm - 10pm (Wed, Thurs, Fri) & 4pm - 11pm (Sat & Sun). Closed Mon & Tues

• Seating: Mostly indoor. Some outdoor seating on the patio

• Alcohol: Full bar - extensive beer and cocktail menu

• My Visit: August 2023

• Rating (out of three): 👍🏼👍🏼

As stated above, Jade Asian Kitchen is located inside the JW Marriott in the Las Vegas community of Summerlin, behind the hotel’s Palms Tower.

If you’re not staying at the hotel, your best bet is to park in the self parking area of the hotel, just outside Rampart Casino. You’ll find the restaurant outside of the berm of the casino area, adjacent to Starbucks.

You can make a reservation for the regular menu at Jade through the OpenTable app, or by calling them directly. Though it isn’t required.

If you’re wanting to enjoy Teppanyaki, though (like I did), then reservations are required. When arriving, be sure to specify to the host/hostess about your Teppanyaki reservation.

The dining room is beautifully lit in a contemporary setting. There are touches of Asian culture decor mixed in as well. Jade does a great job of honoring Asian culture without coming across as cliche.

The Teppanyaki counters are located in the rear of the dining room, near the entry doors to the outdoor patio. If I remember correctly, there were four grills set up.

For those who’re unaware of what Teppanyaki is, it’s a post-World War II style of Japanese cuisine in which an iron griddle is used to cook food. The word is derived from teppan (the metal plate) and yaki, which means pan-fried, grilled or broiled.

Once everyone at your table has been seated, your chef will come out to make their introduction and explain the process to you. It’s around this time when your waiter or waitress will take your food and drink orders.

The protein options on the Teppanyaki menu include the usual that you’d find at most restaurants. These include; chicken, shrimp, salmon, filet mignon, ribeye, sea scallops, lobster, wagyu and vegetarian.

Prices range from $29 (chicken) to $136 (wagyu ribeye) and includes a soup starter and a side of fried rice. They also offer combo options where you can get two proteins if you’re having a difficult time deciding.

Your chef will leave again to obtain the necessary ingredients. When they return, they will begin cooking your food right in front of you, all while telling jokes, making quips and lighting up an enormous flame of fire (or two).

As you can see in the photo above, I went with the New York strip/chicken combo ($59), as I wanted to try both. While both were good and had great flavor, I personally enjoyed the chicken more so than the steak.

I also received a side of grilled vegetables and three difference dipping sauces. I don’t recall what the sauces were, but I do remember the only one I liked was the dark brown one in the middle.

Additionally, I ordered one of their specialty cocktails with my meal. I’m a whiskey guy, so I went with their “Jade Old Fashioned” ($25). It’s made with barrel aged Toki whiskey and angostura bitters. While it was a fine old fashioned, I felt it wasn’t special enough to warrant a $25 price tag.

All in, including tax and tip, my final bill was $108. It officially became the most expensive meal I’ve ever paid for, for just myself. Was it worth it? That all depends on perspective.

I came here because I’ve always enjoyed Teppanyaki, I was starving, it was conveniently located in my hotel and I was gathering content for this website. Would I, under normal circumstances, spend that much money for dinner on just myself? Probably not.

Looking at the regular menu, they have many entree options that I feel are reasonably priced. So if you can live without doing the Teppanyaki option, a family can dine at Jade and not spend much more than they would at most Las Vegas restaurants.

How to Spend a Few Hours at Valley of Fire in the Summer

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.

Established in 1935 as Nevada’s first state park, Valley of Fire attracts thousands of hikers, photographers and overall nature enthusiasts annually.

It’s located in southern Nevada, just an hour so from the bright lights of the strip and is one of the most popular things to do near Las Vegas.

Valley of Fire offers a variety of hiking trails, a visitor center with informative exhibits and many historical sites. There’s literally something for everybody in this geological wonderland.

While I always recommend spending at least a full day at the park, the reality is, the extreme heat that Valley of Fire sees in the summer is simply too much for many people. It’s quite common to see high triple digits consistently.

Thankfully, Valley of Fire offers many attractions that are easy to see, with most only requiring a small commitment of thirty minutes or less, allowing you to see many of the highlights in a short amount of time.

So if you’re thinking about visiting Valley of Fire in the summer, but you can’t stand the heat and only have a few hours to spend, you’ve come to the right blog. Let’s get into it!

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Valley of Fire Entrances, Fees & Reservations

Before we get into the fun stuff, there are a few things you need to know before traveling to Valley of Fire. For starters, no, day-use reservations are NOT required at Valley of Fire at this time. However, with the recent launch of the Reserve Nevada website, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it happen eventually as it’s the most popular state park in the state.

On the flip side, yes, you will have to pay an entrance fee. Thankfully, the fees aren’t all that high and if you’re driving a car with a Nevada license plate, you’ll get a discount! As of 2024, day-use entry fees are as follows:

• $15 - Non-Nevada vehicles

• $10 - Nevada vehicles

You can pay with a credit/debit card or cash. If the ranger booths aren’t staffed when you arrive, simply pull into the parking lots to the right to pay. If paying with cash, insert cash into the provided envelope and slip that into the iron ranger.

Conversely, you can still pay with a credit or debit card at the digital self-pay stations. Keep in mind that there’s always a chance that those pay stations will be offline, so it’s best to bring cash with you just in case (it happens more than you think).

There are two entrances at Valley of Fire; the east entrance and the west entrance. If you’re coming from Las Vegas, you’ll likely drive through the west entrance. Conversely, if you’re driving from Lake Mead/Hoover Dam, Arizona or Utah, you’ll likely go through the east entrance.

Additionally, there are only two main roads in the park; the Valley of Fire Highway (or, Valley of Fire Scenic Byway) which runs east to west, and Mouse’s Tank Road (or, White Domes Road) which takes you to the northern section of the park.

Navigating the park is easy, so you don’t need to rely on GPS too much. Keep in mind that cell service in the park is spotty to non-existent in most areas of the park. There are roadside signs all along the road announcing which attractions you’re approaching, though.

Lastly, be sure to heed the ominous signs at the park’s trailheads. They may seem dramatic, but many heat-related deaths have occurred in the park over the years. There isn’t much shade on any of the trails. I had my own scary experience while hiking in Red Rock Canyon, making me a believer.

For pleasant, somewhat cooler weather, early October to April are the best times to visit Valley of Fire. Though fall and spring sees the biggest crowds for that very reason.

If your aim is to visit with the least amount of people around as possible, then the summer months are your best bet. You will be contending with peak temperatures, though, so an early arrival is paramount to an enjoyable experience in the summer.

Here are some products that I recommend bringing to the park with you to help combat the heat:

• 22L Oasis Hydration Backpack w/ Bladder

• Stanley GO Quick Flip Water Bottle

• Sun Bum Mineral Sunscreen

• Women’s Sun Hat w/ Ponytail Hole

• Valley of Fire Map

Things to See at Valley of Fire in a Few Hours

While it would be easy to spend two or three days at this beautiful park, you can just as easily spend a few hours due to the park’s many easily accessible attractions.

Below, I’m going to provide a list of things to see and do in Valley of Fire that will allow you to see many of the highlights in a relatively short amount of time.

This itinerary will list the attractions in the order that they appear in the park and will assume you’ll be driving in from Las Vegas, through the west entrance (if you’ll be driving in through the east entrance, just complete this itinerary in reverse order).

Remember, the goal is to arrive at the park as close to sunrise as possible. This will allow you to see everything listed below and be out of the park by 11am or so, when the heat and crowds are at their worst.

Keep in mind that certain trails are closed in the summer months due to extreme heat, so in respect to responsible travel, I will be omitting those from the list. For informational purposes only, the following trails are closed from May to September:

• White Domes Loop

• Fire Wave/Seven Wonders Loop/Pastel Canyon/Pink Canyon

• Pinnacles Loop

• Prospect Trail

• Arrowhead Trail

• Natural Arch Trail (excluding Natural Arch itself)

• Charlie’s Spring

The Beehives

After driving in through the west entrance, the Beehives will be the first major attraction you’ll see and the large parking lot will be on your right.

The Beehives themselves are located right off the parking lot. There’s no designated path to follow, so feel free to explore them at your leisure.

You’ll quickly realize why they were named, “Beehives”, as you’ll see many honeycomb-like formations in the sandstone rocks. I feel that they’re the perfect introduction to Valley of Fire and a great place to watch the sunrise.

Atlatl Rock

From the Beehives parking lot, drive east for a couple of miles until you see the turn-off for Campground road on your left. You can see Atlatl Rock from the highway but as you get closer, its commanding presence becomes more and more clear.

Aside from the large rock itself, the main draw to Atlatl Rock are the petroglyphs on the smooth rock face near the top. Simply take the steel staircase to the viewing deck above to see them.

The parking lot is fairly large, located just off the road, and features a restroom as well as a half a dozen or so shaded picnic tables. This makes Atlatl Rock an ideal spot for a quick break.

Atlatl Rock doesn’t take long to explore, as most of the petroglyphs are located in one central location. Though there are others scattered through the neighboring campground as well.

For more information, read my comprehensive guide on Atlatl Rock here.

Natural Arch

To see Natural Arch, turn left onto Campground road going out of the Atlatl Rock parking lot and follow it for about a mile. It’ll be on the left side of the road.

There’s no real parking lot, just a small pull-out style, dirt and gravel lot. In the morning, the view from the roadside will be dulled by the shade but if you walk behind it, you’ll discover a brilliantly lit Natural Arch in front of you.

Natural Arch isn’t the most impressive sight you’ll see at the park, but there aren’t many of them here and this one is the easiest to access. It’s small, but a sight to behold nonetheless.

To continue on your journey, simply turn back towards Atlatl Rock and the Valley of Fire Highway. If you continue down the road in the opposite direction, the road will become harder to pass as it isn’t well maintained (or even paved).

There are other formations down that road, such as Piano Rock, that are worth seeing but as stated above, the road becomes difficult (though not impossible) for those without high clearance. If you do go that way, the road will eventually loop you back to the highway, just before the Beehives. Turn left to continue.

Historic Cabins

After leaving Natural Arch, turn left to get back onto Valley of Fire Highway to continue onto next attraction; the Historic Cabins. You’ll travel another five miles or so until you reach an un-named road on your left that leads to the cabins (there will be sign indicating the cabins are down that road).

The well maintained road will terminate at an eventual dead end lot, with the cabins out in front of you. There will also be another restroom and picnic area.

The cabins were built by the Civilian Conversation Corps (C.C.C) shortly after Valley of Fire became a state park in 1935 and were made with native sandstone. Their intended use was to provide shelter to travelers.

You can explore the exterior and interior of the preserved cabins. You’ll take notice of the built-in fireplaces and windows overlooking the valley in the distance.

Elephant Rock

Elephant Rock is one of the most infamous, Instagram worthy rock formations in Valley of Fire. Seeing it in person, it won’t take you long to make out the shape of the trunk, head, body and legs.

From the cabins, turn left onto the highway and follow it for a few more miles until you see the east entrance ahead of you. The parking lot for Elephant Rock is to your left, just before the exit.

The trail to Elephant Rock is a short, 0.3-mile jaunt that leads you right up to it. From there, you can scramble your way up for a closer look (but don’t climb on it).

To read more about Elephant Rock, read my comprehensive guide here.

Visitor Center and Balanced Rock

By now, you’ve undoubtedly worked up a sweat. It’s time to get out of the sun and head to the Visitor Center. To get there, travel west from Elephant Rock (the way you came) for three and a half miles.

You’ll eventually come up upon Mouse’s Tank road on your right. Turn here and keep straight at the fork to get to the parking lot.

The Visitor Center is a great way to escape the heat for a bit. While the A/C is great, the best part about it are the exhibits that detail the extensive history of Valley of Fire. From Native American artifacts and geological education, to examples of native flora and fauna, there’s much to learn here.

Once you’ve cooled off, head back outside to the short but sweet trail to Balancing Rock. Facing the Visitor Center, you’ll find the trailhead on the left side of the parking lot.

As stated above, the trail is short, even more so than Elephant Rock’s trail. It’ll terminate at a small viewing area that puts you front and center to Balancing Rock.

Much like Natural Arch, Balancing Rock isn’t the most impressive thing you’ll see at Valley of Fire, but it’s so easy to see that it would be a crime not to check it out.

When you’re done, head back to your car and drive north on Mouse’s Tank road.

Mouse’s Tank Trail

The trailhead for Mouse’s Tank Trail (or, Petroglyph Canyon) is located just off of Mouse’s Tank road on your right. I found more shade on this trail than any other I went on during my visit.

Mouse’s Tank Trail (along with the road) is named after, “Little Mouse”, a Southern Paiute Indian renegade who hid in areas of Valley of Fire after being accused of the murders of two prospectors (among other crimes).

The trail takes you through a canyon, with walls loaded with prehistoric petroglyphs. It terminates at Mouse’s Tank, which is a natural basin inside the rock that collects water after each rainfall.

Mouse’s Tank Trail is only half a mile, roundtrip, and if you get on the trail prior to 11am like I did, you’ll have plenty of shade throughout much of it.

The ‘Instagram View’ of Mouse’s Tank Road

Mouse’s Tank road is undoubtedly one of the most scenic roads in all of Nevada. You’ve seen it all over social media, Instagram specifically, and it’s been plastered all over ads on TV, casino wall posters, etc.

If you’re wanting to get your own photo of this magnificent sight, there’s a much simpler way to do it than what other websites specify. You won’t need coordinates or have to pull over into one of the narrow slots on the side of the road.

Simply drive along Mouse’s Tank road until you see the parking lot for the Rainbow Vista Trail on your right (you can’t miss it). Park your car here, cross the road and walk along the rock until you reach the overlook perch at the end. Voila, you’re there.

Other sites I’ve seen overcomplicate it way too much. Doing it this way is way easier and it’s mostly the exact same view, albeit a bit higher. I feel it’s superior to other angles I’ve seen,

Fire Canyon/Silica Dome Viewpoint

To get to the next stop, head north from the Rainbow Vista parking lot (turn right). Shortly thereafter, you’ll make a right turn onto Fire Canyon road and follow it to its terminus at the parking lot.

There are a number of trails that begin here but for my money, the main attraction is the view. In front of you are examples of sandstone and silica rock.

The multi-layer, contrasting reds of the sandstone on top of the yellow/tan tint of silica with the browns of the mountain range in the distance make a stunning sight.

You can walk out onto the dirt path that leads to a viewing area or simply take a gander from the parking lot. Either way, it doesn’t take much time to enjoy the sights at this lookout.

Drive the Remainder of Mouse’s Tank Road and Take in the Views

To complete your visit, turn right onto Mouse’s Tank road and drive it for 4.5-miles to its terminus at the White Domes parking lot. The trails in this area of the park are closed in the summer, mind you, but you can still drive the highly scenic road.

From the road, you’ll see teasing glimpses of Pastel Canyon, White Domes and Fire Wave. You cannot park alongside of the road on this stretch, but there are multiple parking lots dotted along the road where you can stop to take pictures.

From here, simply head back towards whichever exit you need to leave from. Remember, this itinerary is assuming you’re driving in through the west. If coming in through the east, simply begin at Elephant Rock and end at The Beehives, before making your way up Mouse’s Tank road.

Conversely, if you’re driving in through the west entrance but exiting the east, simply knock out the sights along Mouse’s Tank road after visiting Natural Arch and then work your way east to the cabins and Elephant Rock.

The route above is the one I followed during my first visit. I was able to see and do everything listed above, while being out of the park by noon. Good thing, because it got up to 113 degrees that day (I went in August).

Your milage will vary depending upon how much time you spend at each site. In general, though, you shouldn’t have much of an issue. If you need to shave even more time, I recommend skipping Natural Arch, Balancing Rock and perhaps even the Visitor Center.

How to See Elephant Rock at Valley of Fire

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Located on the east side of Valley of Fire State Park, just inside the entrance, sits a sandstone formation so unique that it has become one of the most popular in the park - Elephant Rock.

From nearly any angle, you can make out the shape of the trunk, head and body of an elephant. When using your imagination, you’ll start to notice the outline of legs in the rock. It’ll make you question if you’re actually looking at a formation, or an actual mammoth encased in rock.

Elephant Rock is a must-see when visiting Valley of Fire for the first time. It’s easily accessible and something the whole family can participate in.

So how do you get to Elephant Rock? What is the trail like? What’s the parking situation? I answer all of these questions and more below. Let’s get into it.

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Trail Stats

• Location: Valley of Fire State Park, Southern Nevada

• Fee: $15 per vehicle day use fee ($10 for Nevada plates)

• Permit: None

• Open: All year

• Cell Service: Spotty

• Restroom: At the trailhead

• Parking: Small, paved lot at the trailhead

• EV Stations: None

• Difficulty: Easy

• Popularity: High

• Mileage: 0.3 miles, RT

• Time: 30 minutes to 1 hour

• Elevation Gain: About 50 feet

• Condition: Maintained

• Features: Sandstone formation in the shape of an Elephanet

• Best Viewed: Early morning for low crowds, late afternoon for best light

• Pets: Not allowed

• Drones: Not allowed

• Hazards: Heat can be extreme and little-to-no shade

• Our Visit(s): August 2023

Parking at Elephant Rock & Getting There

The ease of getting to Elephant Rock highly depends on which entrance you’re entering the park through. Elephant Rock is just past the east gate, on the right. So if you’re driving in on this side, you’re already there.

If you’re entering through the west gate, though, you’ll need to drive for eleven miles on the Valley of Fire Scenic Byway to the east gate, passing other attractions along the way, such as; The Beehives, Atlatl Rock and Mouse’s Tank Road.

The parking lot for Elephant Rock is fairly small and paved, capable of holding a fair amount of vehicles. When the gate is unstaffed, this lot doubles as a place to park for visitors to pay their entry fees.

When I was here in August, my vehicle was the one of only two in the lot. Due to extreme heat, summer isn’t an ideal time to visit Valley of Fire, so visitation was low on this day.

If you come during the peak season, which is October through April, that’ll likely be different. On a particularly busy day, I can see this lot filling up early and quickly. So arrive as early as possible.

To find the trailhead, simply walk between the brick structure and the Valley of Fire photo opp sign on the right. You’ll find the trail behind the structure leading towards the sandstone ridge in the distance.

The Trail to Elephant Rock

The trail is short and sweet with very little elevation gain. You’ll be walking uphill nearly the entire way but it’s nothing difficult. In fact, until you get close to Elephant Rock, it’s barely noticeable.

There’s only one trail junction. You will find it at around the halfway mark. Going right will place you on the 1.2-mile Arrowhead Trail. To keep to Elephant Rock, continue left.

Shortly after the trail junction, you’ll notice the trail is leading you back towards the road. Once you are aligned with the road, you’ve reached the end of the trail. Elephant Rock will be to the right of the road, looking up.

Do keep in mind to stay off the road. Visibility of this area from the vehicle perspective isn’t very good, as they’ll be coming up a hill towards you.

Elephant Rock

Elephant Rock is easily viewed from below, with no real reason to force yourself to climb up to it. There are a number of paths leading the way if you choose to do so, though.

There is a sign stating there’s no climbing allowed. I asked a park ranger for clarification and she advised that it is ok to go up to Elephant Rock, but NOT to actually climb on it, as it could cause irreversible damage.

As stated above, there are several paths leading towards the formation, but the one I took (and appeared to be the easiest) was the one located just to the right of the sign pictured above.

It’s a quick jaunt to the top of Elephant Rock. Once you’re up there, you will have views of the mountains and valley in the distance.

Seeing Elephant Rock from this angle made the “Elephant” formation appear more clearly to me. So if you’re having a difficult time picturing it from below, try it from up here.

When you’re done, simply head back the same way you came in on the trail. Please do not walk along the road as park rangers will cite you if you’re caught.

From here, I recommend making your way to one of the most historic locations in the park, Atlatl Rock. You can read my post about it here.

How To See Atlatl Rock in Valley of Fire

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Valley of Fire is one of the most popular parks in the Nevada state park system, and for good reason. This beautiful park is littered with fire-red sandstone rocks that, with the help of erosion, have formed mind-boggling shapes and formations.

There are many attractions within Valley of Fire, but the one that stands out from the pack due to its historical value is Atlatl Rock. It’s one of the first things you’ll see if you’re driving in from the west entrance and is easily seen from the main road.

Aside from its unique formation, the big draw to Atlatl Rock are the petroglyphs located on the smooth rock face at the top of the stairwell and others scattered around the base of the rock. These petroglyphs are believed to over 4,000 years old!

So how do you get to Atlatl Rock? What’s the parking situation like? Are there any fees involved? I cover all of this and more below.

Trail Stats

• Location: Valley of Fire State Park in Southern Nevada

• Fee: $15 per vehicle ($10 for Nevada residents). This is to enter Valley of Fire

• Permit: None

• Open: All year

• For: Anyone

• Cell Service: Spotty

• Restroom: In the parking lot

• Parking: Medium sized paved lot

• EV Stations: None

• Difficulty: Easy

• Popularity: High

• Mileage: Walk-up

• Time: At least 30 minutes

• Condition: Well maintained and easy to follow

• Features: Petroglyphs and unique rock formations

• Best Viewed: In the morning (less crowded)

• Pets: Not allowed

• Drones: Prohibited

• Hazards: No shade on the stairwell or platform.

• Our Visit(s): August 2023

What is an Atlatl?

An atlatl, the namesake of this location, was an tool used by ancient tribes as a throwing stick or dart thrower. It allowed the user to employ more force to their spears or darts.

An atlatl was usually made of wood, about two feet long and had a handhold on one end with a hook on the other. A slot cut into the tail end of the dart was set against the nook enabling the dart to lie along the atlatl so that both could be grasped midway.

There was no signage explaining why this rock was named after this ancient tool, but one reason could be that there are multiple petroglyph illustrations of the tool on the rock.

Getting There & Parking

Getting to Atlatl Rock is easy, as it’s located just off the main road in the park. It’s closest to the west entrance of the park, but getting there from the east entrance is just as easy.

From the west entrance, drive for about 4 miles before turning left onto Campground road. You’ll keep straight for about a half mile before turning left into the parking lot. The directions are virtually the same coming from the east entrance. Though you’ll drive a few more miles.

The parking lot is decently sized, but it will fill quickly as the day progresses. Your best bet is to arrive early in the morning. I was here about an hour after sunset and there were just a few others at the rock.

There are covered picnic tables near Atlatl Rock you can use, as well as a restroom at the far end of the lot. From what I could see, there was only one spot designated for disabled parking.

Atlatl Rock Petroglyphs

To reach the main petroglyphs on the smooth rock face at the top, you’ll need to go up the stairwell. There are three sets of stairs, totaling about 100 steps or so.

The downfall to being here early in the morning is you’ll be hit by the sun full-blast as it’s rising. There’s no real cover from the sun on the stairwell or on the viewing platform up top.

The upside is as the sun hits the rock, you get the full color show those fire-red sandstone rocks put on. It’s an amazing sight to behold.

Before long, the petroglyphs come into view. From what I could see, the smooth rock face is the only location (at the top) where petroglyphs can be found.

Just above the smooth rock face on the bottom side of a rocky lip are dinosaur tracks. Unfortunately, the close up shot I got of them was lost, but you can see them in the photo below from further out.

As stated in the beginning of this post, these petroglyphs are over 4,000 years old. As such, there’s no way for us to know exactly what the ancient tribes were trying to convey, but you can see a mixture of illustrations of presumed animals, possible portraits of tribal members and other symbols.

I stood and stared at these petroglyphs for a while, trying to come up with possible meanings or subjects behind them. There was one that looked like a goat. The squiggly lines, to me, indicate flowing water and another appeared to be the sun.

There was another near the top of the rock face that looked like a tribal member, possibly a warrior, holding what looks like an atlatl or some kind of weapon above their head in celebration.

Before leaving, be sure to explore the base of the rock to see more petroglyphs. Most people just go up the stairwell, come back down and leave. Don’t be one of those.

While it’s definitely one of the touristy areas of the park, these’s so much history on display in this single location that it would be a crime to skip it. Be sure to put Atlatl Rock on your ‘things to do’ list for your visit to Valley of Fire.

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Explore The International Car Forest of the Last Church in Goldfield

2 minute read | may contain affiliate links

Located right off U.S 95 in Goldfield, a small Nevada town frozen in time, stands a unique roadside attraction showcasing a perfect fusion of art and car - The International Car Forest of the Last Church.

The car forest is a cluster of a few dozen or so vehicles that have been planted into the ground, hood first, causing them to stand vertically, mimicking trees (hence - car forest).

To make it even more unique, artists and taggers from around the world have left their mark here with varying designs, statements, quotes and more.

While I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a destination all its own, the car forest is definitely worthy of a stop if you happen to be on a road trip along this stretch of highway.

Find out below how to get there, how much it costs, where to park and more. Let’s get into it!

Quick Stats

• Location: Goldfield, NV

• Fee: None, but donations are accepted

• Open: All year

• For: Anyone

• Cell Service: Decent

• Restroom: Port-O-Potty at the entrance

• Parking: No designated lot, but plenty of pull outs

• EV Stations: None

• Popularity: Low to moderate

• Time: An hour or so

• Pets: Allowed on leash

• Drones: No signs stating you can’t fly

• Hazards: Rattlesnakes, rusty metal, other debris and not much shade

• My Visit(s): August 2023

Getting There & Parking

The car forest is easy to get to as it’s just a few minutes off highway 95 down a dirt road. If you’re not already traveling through, though, it’s way out of the way.

The nearest towns to Goldfield are Tonopah to the north and Beatty to the south. The nearest major city is Las Vegas, roughly 185 miles away.

From the highway, you’ll turn onto Crystal Ave and travel along a dirt road, past a few homes, for about a quarter mile before arriving to the car forest’s entrance on the right.

You’ll first arrive to a booth and a welcome sign. Entry to the car forest is free but here is where you can leave a donation if you like.

Ahead of you the road will split. Going in either direction will take you to the same spot so don’t spend a lot of time deciding. The road on the left was better maintained, though.

There’s no official parking lot, but there are many pull outs. You can choose to park on the hilltop and walk in or drive into the car forest. I opted to walk in.

The Cars of the International Car Forest

There are a few vehicles on the hilltop to look at, but the bulk of the car forest is down the hill. They’re mostly clustered together, with a few others spread further out.

There’s no official path to follow, nor are the cars in any particular order. You also won’t find any informational signage detailing the art or the artists themselves.

There are about three dozen vehicles that make up the car forest. Each have a blend of artistic renderings, quotes, political statements and encouraging words. As the sign at the entrance states, “artists are welcomed, taggers are tolerated”.

That same sign indicates you yourself can partake in leaving your own artistic expression on any of the vehicles if you so choose. All they ask is you don’t resort to vandalism.

While most of the vehicles here are of the sedan variety, there are a couple buses and vans added to the mix. Most of which you can climb into and explore.

The car forest is one of those places where how long it takes to see it all depends entirely on your level of interest. Worst case, it’s a great way to stretch your legs for an hour or so.

Even if you only have a mild interest in cars, art or both, the car forest is a must-see attraction. It’s one of those unique, “Nevada things”, that cannot be missed.

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