You know it’s getting hot when the parks around Las Vegas begin to warn people that Mother Nature is NOT Disneyland and that hiking in the summer heat can be dangerous, if not deadly.
The annual trail closure at Valley of Fire State Park begins on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, and will be lifted on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. The seasonal trail closure is intended to protect the life and safety of our visitors and staff. These dates were chosen to match the summer trail closures at the neighboring Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
Trails CLOSED:
- White Domes Loop (White Domes Road will remain open)
- Fire Wave
- Seven Wonders Loop
- Pastel Canyon
- Prospect Trail
- Arrowhead Road
- Pinnacles Loop
- Charlie’s Spring
- Natural Arches Trail
- Off-trail hiking north of Rainbow Vista
Trails that will remain OPEN:
- Rainbow Vista
- Mouse’s Tank/Petroglyph Canyon
- Balancing Rock
- Elephant Rock Loop
Be Safe, Be Prepared
It doesn’t matter if you are going out to hike or you are going out to admire the beauty of the National and State Parks. In the summer, you need to be prepared. Actually, you need to be over-prepared.
Nevada sits in the middle of the Mojave desert. We don’t know what humidity is—I’m just joking. We do know what humidity is; it’s just very low out here. People will tell you that it’s dry heat. Think convection oven! Average summertime humidity is around 15%
This means you dehydrate faster than you realize, and your skin can burn quickly.
Read: Dehydrated? Know What Color Your Pee Is
Some Things to Bring with You
Water. Can’t stress this enough. You need to have plenty of water. And drink it before you get thirsty. At least one gallon per person per day. – Hydration Packs on Amazon
Broad Brimmed Hat. No, your Valley of Fire baseball cap will not protect you from the sunshine bouncing off the red rocks. It would be best to have something that will give you as much coverage as possible. – Broad Brimmed Hats on Amazon
Long-sleeved Shirts. Yes, I know, it’s hot out there, and you don’t want to sweat. I recommend long-sleeve-wicking shirts. It pulls the moisture away, and many of them provide excellent UV protection. – Long Sleeve Wicking Shirts on Amazon
Sunglasses. Yes, protect your eyes. Since there is very little moisture in the air to mitigate the effects of the sun. You could become snow blind from the harsh UV rays reflecting off of the rocks and ground. – Over glasses sunglasses on Amazon
Cooling Towels. These are great. Keep them wet, and they will keep you cool. You don’t need them wet to work. They work great at removing moisture and come in various colors and sizes. – Cooling Towels on Amazon
Trail Mix. Keeping a variety of salty snacks with you helps replace some of the electrolytes you lose in the heat. Luckily, electrolytes are widely available in common trail foods such as dried fruits, nuts, seeds and salty snacks like pretzels. – Trail Mix on Amazon
Common Sense. Please keep a level head, stay hydrated, and be safe. If you have any doubt about your abilities or health, stay back. Enjoy the beauty of our parks from the parking lot! Summertime is not the time to start taking on a new adventure!
Disclaimer: This is general nutrition and health advice, and you should talk with your physician before implementing any dietary or lifestyle changes.
