I decided to take advantage of some moderate temperatures in the middle of May to visit Valley of Fire State Park. It is located about one hour’s drive north of Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Park is famous for its 40,000 acres of bright red Aztec sandstone outcrops surrounded by limestone walls. It also features ancient, petrified trees and petroglyphs dating back more than 2,000 years. A Visitor Center provides exhibits on the geology, ecology, and history of the park and nearby region. Numerous campsites equipped with shaded tables, grills, and water provide activities for overnight visitors. There are also many scenic byways and trails for casual day use.

Conveniently located in the area is Lake Mead National Conservation Area. It also offers camping and day areas along with great scenery. This area offers several entrance points that will allow you to coordinate your visit based on time allocation. The 62-mile Northshore Road offers desert panoramas, colorful sandstone formations, ...