Fire Wave is a sandstone formation featuring swirling red, white, and pink striations in Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada. This 2026 visitor guide covers access hours, park entrance fees, how to get there, parking, what to see, and practical tips for planning your visit.
The formation resembles an ocean wave with dramatic coloured stripes created by layers of ancient sand dunes compressed over millions of years. Fire Wave is one of the most photographed locations in the park and is accessed via a 1.5-mile out-and-back trail from the Fire Wave Trailhead on White Domes Road. The trail follows sandy terrain before transitioning to slickrock and is marked with rock cairns and trail markers. The Fire Wave Trail closes from 1 June through 30 September each year due to extreme heat, with temperatures frequently exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius). The trail reopens in October and operates through late May.
It’s a popular part of a Valley of Fire hiking tour from Las Vegas.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Access hours | 1 October–31 May: sunrise to sunset | 1 June–30 September: Trail closed due to extreme heat |
| Park entrance fee | Nevada residents: $10 per vehicle | Non-Nevada residents: $15 per vehicle |
| Trailhead location | Fire Wave Trailhead (Parking Lot 3), White Domes Road |
| Distance from Las Vegas | Approximately 60 miles northeast (1-hour drive) |
| Trail distance | 1.5 miles round trip (0.75 miles each way) |
| Time needed | 1 to 2 hours including hiking and photography |
Fire Wave access hours
The Fire Wave Trail is open from 1 October through 31 May, sunrise to sunset daily. The trail closes annually from 1 June through 30 September due to extreme heat and safety concerns. During summer closure, temperatures frequently exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), and the trail offers no shade. The closure is enforced by Nevada State Parks to prevent heat-related medical emergencies. The best visiting months are October through April when temperatures range from freezing to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius).
If you’re planning to visit as part of a Valley of Fire hiking tour, these are the months to aim for.
Valley of Fire State Park entrance fees
Day-use entrance fees for Valley of Fire State Park are $10 per vehicle for Nevada residents and $15 per vehicle for non-Nevada residents. Fees are collected at entrance stations on Valley of Fire Highway at the west and east park entrances. The park does not accept advance online payment for day-use entry. Cyclists pay $2 per bike.
Nevada State Parks annual passes are available for $100 and provide unlimited entry to all Nevada state parks for 12 months. Federal passes including America the Beautiful passes are not valid at Valley of Fire State Park, which is operated by Nevada State Parks, not the National Park Service.
Entrance fees and information were checked and updated in January 2026.
How to get to Fire Wave
From Las Vegas, take Interstate 15 north for approximately 35 miles to exit 75, signed for Valley of Fire State Park and Lake Mead National Recreation Area. At the end of the off-ramp, continue southeast on Valley of Fire Highway. The park’s west entrance is reached after 14.5 miles. Drive approximately 0.5 miles past the entrance station to the Visitor Center on the right.
From the Visitor Center, continue north on White Domes Road (also called Mouse’s Tank Road) for approximately 4.7 miles. The Fire Wave Trailhead is at Parking Lot 3, with parking areas on both sides of White Domes Road. The east-side parking lot (right side when heading north) is the main trailhead parking. The west-side parking lot (left side) provides overflow parking. The trailhead is the final parking area on White Domes Road before the road ends at White Domes Trail.
Parking at Fire Wave
Parking Lot 3 has two gravel parking areas on opposite sides of White Domes Road. The east-side lot provides direct access to the Fire Wave Trail and is the primary parking area. The west-side lot serves as overflow parking. Both lots accommodate cars, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles. Parking is free with valid park entrance.
The parking areas fill quickly, particularly during peak season (October through April on weekends and holidays) and during late afternoon when photographers arrive for sunset lighting. Arrive before 08:00 or during midday to secure parking. During busy periods, visitors may need to wait for departing hikers to vacate spaces. On occasion, the lot fills completely, and visitors should arrive early to avoid waiting.
How long to spend at Fire Wave
The Fire Wave Trail is 1.5 miles round trip (0.75 miles each way) and takes 30 minutes to 1 hour to complete for most hikers. The trail begins on sandy terrain before transitioning to slickrock near the formation. Photographers and visitors exploring the formation typically spend 1 to 2 hours total, including hiking time. Late afternoon and early evening provide optimal lighting for photography, though this is the busiest time of day. Sunrise and mid-morning offer fewer crowds but less dramatic lighting.
Accessibility at Fire Wave
The Fire Wave Trail is not wheelchair-accessible. The trail begins on sandy terrain that is difficult for wheelchairs and mobility devices, then transitions to uneven slickrock with elevation changes. The trail gains approximately 150 to 175 feet over 0.75 miles. Rock cairns and trail markers guide hikers across sections of slickrock where the path is not always obvious.
No facilities or services are available at the Fire Wave Trailhead. The nearest restrooms are at the Visitor Center (approximately 4.7 miles south) and at White Domes Trailhead (approximately 0.3 miles north at the end of White Domes Road). No drinking water is available at the trailhead; the nearest water is at the Visitor Center or at picnic areas within the park. Visitors should bring adequate water for the hike, particularly during warmer months.
Dogs are allowed on the Fire Wave Trail and must be kept on a leash up to 6 feet long. The sandy and rocky terrain can be hot and uncomfortable for dogs’ paws during warmer months. Bring water for dogs and avoid midday heat.
What to see at Fire Wave
Fire Wave is a sandstone formation featuring dramatic swirling stripes of red, white, pink, and various shades of brown and orange. The striations were created by layers of ancient sand dunes deposited over millions of years, later compressed and lithified into Aztec sandstone during the Jurassic period. Erosion has exposed and shaped the layers into wave-like formations.
The main Fire Wave area sits in a bowl-shaped depression with rising points covered in wavy coloured lines. The stripes appear to overlap each other in places, creating complex patterns. Visitors can walk directly on the Fire Wave formation, though staying on established paths helps preserve the surrounding landscape. The colours and appearance change dramatically depending on sun angle and time of day. Late afternoon and early evening provide the most vibrant colours when the low sun angle illuminates the striations.
Gibraltar Rock, a tall block of stone leaning out from the main ridge, rises to approximately 2,170 feet elevation and is visible along the trail. The trail curves around Gibraltar Rock before descending to Fire Wave. Pink Canyon (also called Pastel Canyon or Kaolin Wash) is accessible via the Seven Wonders Loop Trail, an alternative route to Fire Wave that adds approximately 0.4 miles and passes through a narrow canyon with pink and white banded walls.
The surrounding red Aztec sandstone landscape features dramatic formations, cliffs, and desert vegetation including creosote bush and barrel cactus. The trail provides views of the broader Valley of Fire landscape, including distant mountains and formations. Small rounded knobs striped in vivid colours appear along the trail before reaching the main Fire Wave formation.
Rock cairns (small stacks of rocks) and yellow trail markers guide hikers across slickrock sections where the trail is less obvious. The trail is well-travelled and generally easy to follow, though paying attention to markers prevents wrong turns on open rock surfaces.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip |
|---|
| The trail closes from 1 June through 30 September due to extreme heat; plan visits between October and May only. |
| Arrive before 08:00 or during midday to secure parking, as the lot fills quickly during late afternoon when photographers arrive. |
| Bring adequate drinking water; the trail offers no shade, and the desert climate is extremely dry. At least 1 litre per person is recommended. |
| Wear sturdy hiking shoes with good traction for sandy terrain and uneven slickrock surfaces. Sand will get into porous shoes. |
| Stay on established trails to help preserve the surrounding landscape; walking on fragile desert vegetation damages the ecosystem. |
| Late afternoon and early evening provide the best lighting for photography, with vivid colours enhanced by low sun angles. |
| Morning visits offer fewer crowds and cooler temperatures, though lighting is less dramatic for photography. |
| Follow rock cairns and yellow trail markers across slickrock sections where the path is less obvious. |
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Fire Wave suitable for children? | Yes, the 1.5-mile round-trip trail is manageable for children aged 5 and older. The sandy terrain and small hills may tire younger children. Supervise children on slickrock surfaces. |
| Do you need to book in advance? | No advance booking is required. Park entrance fees are paid at entrance stations on arrival. |
| Is Fire Wave accessible in winter? | Yes, the trail is open October through May. Winter offers cooler temperatures (freezing to 75 degrees Fahrenheit) and is an excellent time to visit. |
| Are restrooms available? | No restrooms are available at the trailhead. The nearest facilities are at the Visitor Center (4.7 miles south) and White Domes Trailhead (0.3 miles north). |
| How long does the hike take? | The 1.5-mile round trip takes 30 minutes to 1 hour for most hikers. Including time at the formation, allow 1 to 2 hours total. |
| Is there wheelchair access? | No, the trail is not wheelchair-accessible due to sandy terrain, uneven slickrock, and elevation gain of 150 to 175 feet. |
Things to do near Fire Wave
The White Domes Trail, located 0.3 miles north at the end of White Domes Road, is a 1.1-mile loop passing through slot canyons, colourful sandstone formations, and areas used for filming westerns. The trail requires approximately 1 hour to complete. The Seven Wonders Loop, accessible from the Fire Wave Trailhead, is an alternative route to Fire Wave adding approximately 0.4 miles and passing through Pink Canyon with narrow walls banded in pink and white.
The Valley of Fire Visitor Center, located 4.7 miles south on White Domes Road, provides exhibits on park geology, ecology, prehistory, and history. The visitor centre is open daily from 09:00 to 16:00. Mouse’s Tank Trail, located near the Visitor Center, is a 0.75-mile round-trip hike along a canyon to a natural rock basin where rainwater collects. Prehistoric petroglyphs line the trail.
Atlatl Rock, located on Scenic Loop Road approximately 8 miles from the Fire Wave Trailhead (via White Domes Road to Valley of Fire Highway), features ancient petroglyphs accessible via a metal staircase. Arch Rock, a natural arch visible from Scenic Loop Road, requires no hiking to view. Elephant Rock, located near the park’s east entrance, is a sandstone formation resembling an elephant, visible from the roadside.
Other Valley of Fire highlights include the Seven Sisters, Rainbow Vista and the Beehives.
More Nevada travel
Other Nevada travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- The best stops on the Kingman to Las Vegas drive.
- The best route from Las Vegas to Lake Havasu City.
- The quirky tour of the Techatticup Gold Mine.
- How to see Hoover Dam from the water.
- A practical guide to visiting Rhyolite, Nevada’s most spectacular ghost town.
