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Fire Wave at Valley of Fire State Park

We only had an afternoon to visit Valley of Fire State Park so we decided to use our time wisely and just go straight to the Fire Wave. Valley of Fire State Park is located about an hour north of Las Vegas, Nevada by car. The Fire Wave is famous because of the way the sandstone is made up of different layers of red, pink, and white sediment that resembles an ocean wave. Most people hike the more popular Fire Wave Trail, but we opted to do the Pink Canyon (aka Pastel Canyon) Trail instead.

The Pink Canyon Trail also leads to the Fire Wave and actually gets you there faster if you’re in a hurry. It doesn’t have a well-marked trailhead so we had to use Google Maps to help us locate the start of the trail. Also, you will have to park on the side of the road. Not sure if this is allowed or not, but we didn’t encounter any problems while we were there. I would highly recommend this park for anyone who needs a break from the Las Vegas strip or if you want a pit stop on your way to Zion National Park.

 

Pink Canyon Trail Details

NAME: Pink Canyon Trail a.k.a. Pastel Canyon Trail

PARK ENTRANCE FEE: $10.00 per vehicle (Non-NV Vehicles: $15.00 per vehicle)

DISTANCE: Approximately one-mile roundtrip

ELEVATION: 59 ft

TYPE: Out and Back

DIFFICULTY: Easy

TIME: 45 minutes

 

Photographing the Fire Wave

We knew we wanted to take pictures of the Fire Wave during sunset and dusk so we tried to leave Las Vegas about 1.5 hours before sunset. We shot with our Sony A6600 and A7Riii with a variety of lenses. We mostly stuck with a 16mm prime for our wide landscape shots and a 35mm prime and a 90mm prime for all the portrait pictures.

If you want to dress up and take pictures, I think this is a pretty easy place to do it. The Pink Canyon Trail was super flat and you don’t need any special type of footwear. Most of the trail was made up of sand. You could probably just walk in flip-flops if you wanted to. I wore hiking shoes, but it definitely was not needed. Once we got to the Fire Wave, I had my dress in my backpack and all I did was slip it over my clothes. There were other people there (photographers, hikers, Instagrammers, etc.), but mostly everyone was doing their own thing and wasn’t paying attention to you.

 

Tips on Visiting the Fire Wave

Timing: One thing we did not factor in was that there was an actual line to get into the park. I couldn’t believe that there were that many people trying to visit. I guess it’s become a very popular place to shoot photos, especially during dusk over the years. I would just try to factor at least 20 mins into your time. Also, the park closes at dusk and there are signs everywhere that state that you cannot be in the park when it gets dark. 

Drones: Drones are not allowed.

Hiking the Pink Canyon TrailGetting Near the Fire WaveFire Wave During SunsetFire Wave During SunsetOther Photographers Taking Pictures of the Fire WaveCurves of the Fire WaveCurves of the Fire WaveThe Layers of the Fire WaveSide View of the Fire Wave

Side View of the Fire Wave
Side View of the Fire Wave
Sun Slowly Setting Over Valley of Fire State ParkMe on Top of the Fire Wave
Walking Along the Fire Wave
Walking Along the Fire Wave
Walking Along the Fire Wave and Laughing
Dress Twirling on Top of the Fire Wave
Side View During Dusk
Moon Rising Over Valley of Fire State Park
Gradient Sky Over Valley of Fire State Park

Comments:

  • Essie

    October 1, 2022

    Hi! The photos you took at fire wave? Is that what comes directly after the pastel pink canyon? Or do you have to walk the fire wave also to come there? And did you just walked back to the car again through the pink canyon?

    Thanks! We are visiting with 2 young kids and want to take pictures of the fire wave and pink canyon with the shortest walk 😉

    reply...
      • Es

        October 2, 2022

        Thanks! The 2 issues I have is that we are not allowed to park there and that I am so afraid we won’t find the pink canyon as it’s no official trail. And Yes, pink canyon is my wish for VoF, I neeeeeed to see it! 2nd is Fire Wave, but preferably not the whole trail 🙂

        If you have any tips to be sure to find it and more I would love to hear them 🙂

        reply...

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