Normal access is from the Fire Wave Parking lot at 36.4882, -114.5290. The Fire Wave is the most popular attraction in Valley of Fire, and there will be many others present at sunset. This book is the definitive guide for photographing Valley of Fire and is only €4.95.
The alternative names above come from Isabel Synnatschke's excellent eGUIDE" A CLOSER LOOK AT Valley of Fire". Even so Chris' book is the best reference for arches in the area. Chris' book was written before GPS devices were available so some of the coordinates are off by more than 100 meters. This makes it hard to identify some of the arches and to determine which are worth shooting. The images in the book are Black and White and are of low quality. This out of print book lists 450 arches in the Valley of Fire area with spans of five feet or more. These names come from arch hunter Chris Moore's book on Valley of Fire Arches (Volume Number 6). These include Turret Arch aka El Portal Arch, the misspelled Preying Mantis Arch aka At Least Five Hole Arch, Pretzel Arch which nicely frames Lighthouse Arch, Arrowhead Arch, Lean-To Arch, and Falcon Arch aka Little Mosquito Arch. There are many other arches in the area worth shooting. A 24mm lens will capture the arch adequately. Elephant Rock trail does not go to the arch! The arch is best photographed at sunrise or in the afternoon. At the sign, turn right and make your way up to the arch. In any event, tread lightly and do not touch the arch. In my trips to this area I have always seen people at the arch so much for signs. You will come to a sign that says "Elephant Rock" and "Please Keep Off". From the parking lot walk 200 meters along Elephant Rock Trail paralleling Valley of Fire Highway. The trailhead is at the parking lot just after the east entrance to the park. The signs seem to be routinely ignored but you might be warned or ticketed if you disregard them. The other restriction limits access to Arch Rock and Elephant Rock, the two most photogenic arches in the park. It may be possible to stay after sunset by purchasing a commercial photography permit. You can shoot until sunset but after the sun sets you should immediately return to your car.
If you are camping inside the park you are restricted to your campground after sunset. The park is only open from sunrise to sunset. Valley of Fire would be much more popular with photographers if it weren't for some restrictions.
#Valley of fire state park free#
There are many free campsites available just outside the park as shown on the Google map below. Campsites with hookups are an additional $10.
The cost to enter the park is $10 per vehicle per day, and camping is available for $20 per night. Valley of Fire is only an hour from Las Vegas and is an excellent destination on the way to the National Parks of Utah or on its own. Valley of Fire State Park is a dreamland of red Aztec sandstone arches nestled amongst its 40,000 acres.