Valley of Fire State Park

Valley of Fire State Park

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The Valley of Fire or Valley of Fire State Park is the oldest and largest state park of Nevada and was opened in 1935. The 141 km ² State Park is located 80 kilometers northeast of Las Vegas at an altitude 610-790 m. It is bordered to the west by the Lake Mead National Recreation Area at the mouth of the Virgin River into Lake Mead.

Geology

The Valley of Fire derives its name from the red sandstone formations, formed from great shifting sand dunes 150 million years ago. Complex lifting and lowering of the entire region, followed by extensive erosion, have created the present landscape. Other important rock formations consist of limestone, shale and conglomerate.

Climate

Winters are mild, with temperatures that can range from freezing to 25 ° C. Daytime temperatures in summer up to 47 ° C.. Between day and night temperatures in summer there can be large variations in temperature.

The average annual rainfall is 100 mm and comes with light showers in the winter and thunderstorms in the summer about. Recommended why are visits in spring and autumn.

Flora and Fauna

The flora of this area is primarily determined by bushes and shrubs. There are also various species of cacti. An inter alia, marigold flowers and marshmallow occur.

Different birds are native to the valley, including ravens, finches and cuckoos. Most desert animals are nocturnal. In the Valley of Fire which include coyotes, foxes, skunks, rabbits and squirrels. A very rare species is the California tortoise, which therefore is also protected by law.

Colonization

Prehistoric users of the Valley were the Basket Maker Indians and later the Anasazi Indians from the nearby fertile Moapa Valley. The duration of the occupation is indicated by 300 BC to 1150. Reasons for visits to the Valley were probably hunting, foraging and religious ceremonies. Petroglyphs of the Anasazi can be seen at Valley of Fire in the Visitor Center today. On special rocks, the Atlatl rock you can reach the petroglyphs on a staircase.

Others

For the film Star Trek: Generations a few scenes in the Valley of Fire were filmed.