# Red rock around Las Vegas: Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire

> 3-day road trip of about 241 km (150 mi) with 6 stops, from Las Vegas to Boulder City. About 2 h 41 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b8-valley-of-fire/

**At a glance:** 3-day road trip of about 241 km (150 mi) with 6 stops, from Las Vegas to Boulder City. About 2 h 41 min of driving in total. Two red sandstone parks within an hour of the Strip, joined by the lonely Northshore Road along Lake Mead.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 241 km (150 mi) |
| Driving | 2 h 41 min |
| Suggested days | 3 |
| Stops | 6 |
| Route | Las Vegas → Boulder City |
| States | NV |
| Updated | June 1, 2026 |

## Route description

Start west of Las Vegas at Red Rock Canyon, where a 13-mile one-way drive loops past striped sandstone and trailheads; book the timed-entry slot in advance for most of the year. The visitor center explains the geology.

Drive north on I-15 and turn off on NV-169 into Valley of Fire, Nevada’s oldest state park. The road passes Elephant Rock, Atlatl Rock with its petroglyphs, and the White Domes road, where short trails lead to the swirling Fire Wave. The park’s two campgrounds have sites for RVs, some with hookups.

In the Moapa Valley, the Lost City Museum in Overton displays artifacts from Ancestral Puebloan villages that now lie under Lake Mead. The town is also the place to refuel.

Return south along the Northshore Road through Lake Mead National Recreation Area, with colorful badlands and bays of the reservoir. End in Boulder City, built for the Hoover Dam workers, a quiet town where gambling is not allowed. Spring and fall are best; summer days are dangerously hot.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Las Vegas** (NV)
2. **Red Rock Canyon** (Las Vegas, NV): A one-way scenic drive past red and cream sandstone cliffs just west of Las Vegas. A timed-entry reservation is needed for much of the year.
3. **Valley of Fire State Park** (Overton, NV): Nevada’s oldest state park, with flaming red sandstone, petroglyphs at Atlatl Rock and short trails like Mouse’s Tank. Some trails close on the hottest summer days.
4. **Fire Wave** (Overton, NV): Swirling stripes of red and white sandstone at the end of a short trail off the White Domes road. The colors glow most in late afternoon.
5. **Lost City Museum** (Overton, NV): A small state museum of Ancestral Puebloan artifacts rescued from sites later flooded by Lake Mead, with a reconstructed pueblo outside.
6. **Boulder City** (NV)

## FAQs

**How long is Red rock around Las Vegas: Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire?**
3-day road trip of about 241 km (150 mi) with 6 stops, from Las Vegas to Boulder City. About 2 h 41 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Red rock around Las Vegas: Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire?**
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 41 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Red rock around Las Vegas: Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire start and end?**
It starts in Las Vegas and ends in Boulder City.

**Which states does Red rock around Las Vegas: Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire pass through?**
Nevada.