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The Fire Wave Trail is a great introductory hike to Nevada’s Valley of Fire State Park, but the park’s most popular trail is the older and more-varied White Domes Loop Trail.
Hiking The White Domes Loop Trail, Valley Of Fire State Park (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Slot Canyons on the White Domes Loop Trail (Image courtesy of parks.nv.gov)
About The White Domes Loop Trail:
Located at the end of the namesake White Domes Scenic Byway, The White Domes Loop Trail is an easy 1.25 mile loop hike that takes you past large colorful Aztec sandstone formations, through the ruins of an old film set, and between the walls of an impressive slot canyon.
The trails is well-trafficked and relatively easy to follow (if you follow the footprints in the sand).
This trail should take about 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete and is good for people of all ages and skill levels. As this is a desert hike, you should have plenty of water as well as sun protection, sunglasses, and a hat before attempting this trail.
Getting There: Valley of Fire State Park
Like the Fire Wave Trail, the White Domes Loop Trail is yet another great Las Vegas Hike.
This trail is located in Nevada’s oldest State Park, the aptly named Valley of Fire, which is located about 1 hour from Las Vegas, Nevada.
Getting there requires a drive down the Valley of Fire’s most scenic route, White Domes Road (aka Mouse’s Tank Road).
The Valley of Fire is located about 1 hour from Las Vegas
Valley Of Fire Park Entrance Information:
The entrance fee is $10 per car. Sorry, this is a State Park, so your National Parks Pass won’t work here.
FHOP Tip: Although there are credit card stickers all over the booth, and they officially “say” they accept credit cards, in reality and practice, they don’t. They’ll always tell you “sorry, the internet connection is down”. Save yourself the trouble and just plan on paying with cash.
The Official Park Map:
After paying the fee, you’ll be handed the official park map (below).
You can find the White Domes Loop Trail on the Park’s official website trail map as well.
The Valley of Fire Map, with the White Domes Loop Trail at the top/center/left of the pamphlet
Parking For The White Domes Loop Trail:
The White Domes Loop Trail has its own dedicated parking lot (at the end of White Domes Road). This is also where you’ll find the official trailhead.
The parking lot at the trailhead
For the more adventurous, this trail – and the greater White Domes area – can also be accessed from lots P1, P2, and P3, although this would require somewhat more advanced navigational skills.
The Trailhead:
You are here
The trailhead and trail-map bin
Section 1: The White Domes
The first section of this trail is a sandy trek past the “white dome” formations that gives this trail its name.
The trailhead sign (with a White Dome on the left)
A very large Chuckwalla lizard basks on a white rock near the trailhead
Right about here, things start to get weird
Section 2: The Old Film Set
Just as the surrounding rock formations really start to look crazy (and cool) you’ll reach the ruins of the old film set.
Here’s a list of just some of the films that were shot at this location
Ruins of the set
Section 3: The Narrows Slot Canyon
The trail will take you south from the film set where you’ll eventually end up at the mouth of the narrows slot canyon.
The slot canyon entrance
The narrows is a semi-wide slot canyon – meaning very little (if any) “sideways shimmying” is required
The slot canyon exit
Section 4: The Aztec Sandstone Dreamscape, The Elephant, and The Turtle
Leaving the narrows of the slot canyon, you’ll head back out into the sunlight where you’ll encounter another rock-formation dreamscape.
Here, you can let your imagination run wild.
What is this? A house for ants!?
Boba Fett’s Ship? Or a sleeping T-Rex?
It’s about to get real sandy again…
This formation is known as “The Elephant” for obvious reasons
The “turtle” stands watch over the final section of trail before the parking lot
Desert flowers in bloom
Final Thoughts: Hiking The White Domes Loop Trail, Valley Of Fire State Park (Las Vegas, Nevada)
The White Domes Loop Trail is historically the most popular hike in the Valley of Fire State Park, and for good reason. There’s much to see on this hike, including amazing rock formations, desert wildlife, and even an old Hollywood set.
But, the star of the show on the White Domes Loop Trail (in my humble opinion) is the narrows slot canyon. This is one of the most easily accessible slot canyons in the U.S., especially when you consider it’s only 1 hour from Las Vegas.
This trail, along with the awesome Fire Wave Trail, are not to be missed when visiting the Valley of Fire State Park.
Cheers!
