As one of the most popular parks in all of Nevada, a visit to Valley of Fire State Park never seems to disappoint. Home to dozens of hiking trails, an abundance of wildlife, and scenery that looks straight from Mars, this is a buzzing adventure destination for good reason! There sure is a lot to explore within this park’s unique landscapes, but one destination you should definitely know about is Atlatl Rock. This massive rock formation is a stunning natural wonder itself but it also contains a prominent display of petroglyphs that’s just a short climb away. Take a look:
One of the most exciting parts of visiting Valley of Fire in Southern Nevada is keeping an eye out for ancient petroglyphs. They can be found all over the park, but Atlatl Rock is an especially fantastic place to see Native American rock art up close.
You'll find Atlatl Rock located near Atlatl Rock Campground on the west side of the park. The campground is one of two in the entire park and it's definitely a popular spot. Boasting some of the most striking scenery, it's easy to see why this place fills up with campers so fast.
For campers or visitors looking for a quick attraction, a visit to Atlatl Rock is a must. Easily accessible from the Atlatl Rock Picnic Area, the rock formation itself is simply breathtaking. The rock's size is massive, and it towers over the surrounding desert scenery.
To get up to where the petroglyphs can be seen, visitors can climb a staircase that ultimately leads to a viewing platform. At the top is a prominent display of well-preserved rock art that was carved directly into the red-orange rock.
These petroglyphs are especially stunning as you can make out several distinct shapes including people, animals, and other symbols. Experts believe these petroglyphs to be around 4,000 years old, which is hard to believe considering their great condition!
Best of all, the top of the staircase boasts the most spectacular view of Valley of Fire State Park—a landscape that's completely dominated by red sandstone. It's a beautiful sight and a must-see in order to truly appreciate this park's unique natural beauty.
There's a lot to see in Valley of Fire but Atlatl Rock should definitely be considered a priority. This quick and easy stop boasts one of the most prominent displays of rock art in the park along with plenty of photo ops!
Did you know about the petroglyphs hiding at the top of this rock formation? Nevada is a hotspot of places to spot petroglyphs, including the oldest petroglyphs in America.
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