Valley of Fire State Park offers beautiful scenery and gorgeous views. Illustration by Mike Miller.

Arresting formations, vibrant colors and gorgeous views keep Valley of Fire State Park on the list of favorite outdoor places in Nevada. Preserved as the Silver State's first and largest state park, Valley of Fire never fails to delight visitors with outstanding scenery. Those who stay a while discover many ways to enjoy the desert's serenity less than an hour's drive from the urban hustle of Las Vegas.

To reach the park, drive north from the city on Interstate 15 about 33 miles to exit 75. The Valley of Fire Road runs 24 miles through the park to junction with the North Shore Road south of Overton. A $6 fee applies when you enter the state park, payable at the entrance station or the visitor center.

Located in the heart of the park on a spur just off the main road, the Valley of Fire Visitor Center remains open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stop there to acquaint yourself with the park's history, plants and animals, geology, facilities and recreational opportunities. Information available at the visitor center helps people decide what they want to do while in the park.

Although most popular for day use by those taking scenic drives, picnicking and hiking, Valley of Fire also attracts overnight visitors. The park contains beautiful camping sites at varied locations, available on a first-come basis. Overnighters pay $14 per night.

Recent improvements enlarged the campground near Atlatl Rock, a central feature of Valley of Fire. Named for a throwing tool for darts or spears employed by native cultures before the development of bows and arrows, the site contains panels of ancient rock writings or petroglyphs reached by a staircase up the cliff. Atlatl enthusiasts annually gather at Atlatl Rock for the World Atlatl Association's competition, scheduled this year for March 31. Competitors demonstrate use of this ancient weapon as they vie for prizes in three divisions.

Information available at the visitor center points out picnic facilities at Atlatl Rock and other places of interest like the rounded shapes of eroded sandstone called the Beehives, the unique rock structures built in the Depression Era known as the Cabins or the striking stone monoliths dubbed the Seven Sisters,

Most visitors stopping at campgrounds and picnic areas amble around a little on foot to acquaint themselves with nearby features. These informal strolls among the sandstone formations reveal unexpected patches of green grass and emerging wildflowers, deep canyons where you might hear the hauntingly sweet call of the canyon wren and signs left in the sands of other creatures inhabiting this desert park.

Several popular stops in the park include short trails to places such as Elephant Rock and distinctive Duck Rock, both favorites of photographers. Wander the self-guiding trail through the petrified remnants of ancient forests growing when dinosaurs roamed the area. Walk the trail along the floor of a shaded canyon to Mouse's Tank, a natural catch basin for rainwater that sustained a renegade Paiute named Mouse when he hid out in the Valley of Fire in the late 1800s.

Ask rangers at the visitor center about more recommended walks and hikes in the park. A simple handout gives general information on several possibilities. A hiking guide book available for $4 gives more specific information. It details eight trails in Valley of Fire complete with photos and maps invaluable to dedicated hikers. Armed with more knowledge, hikers explore lesser-known portions of the park, including an intriguing slot canyon, a hidden spring and grand overviews.

Hiking guide books written for our region also include outings in the Valley of Fire. Serious hikers find good advice when they consult Branch Whitney's "Hiking Southern Nevada" and "Best Hikes with Dogs, Las Vegas and Beyond," by Kimberly Lewis and Paula Jacoby-Garrett, available at local book outlets.

Hikers need to wear proper footgear and layered clothing. Carry extras in a day pack like drinking water, trail snacks, a cell phone, sun block and a camera. Never hike alone. Let a responsible person know where you are headed and when you expect to return.

Margo Bartlett Pesek's column appears on Sundays.