Rainbow Vista/Fire Canyon Overlook Hike - Valley of Fire State Park

This is a popular hike in Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada. There is a parking area with great views of the colorful valley to the north, and then you can get more of those views on this short, easy hike.

In addition, you can hike through a little canyon to an overlook of the red rock Fire Canyon. The roundtrip is about a mile and three quarters.

We drove from the Atlatl Rock Campground here in Valley of Fire to the Rainbow Vista parking area. From the parking lot, we crossed the road for a look down into the colorful valley.

Crossing back over the road, we walked to the south end of the parking area and took this shot back down the White Domes Road (aka Mouse's Tank Road).

After those first couple of photo opportunities, we headed down the sandy trail.

We let some folks go ahead of us, and I took some photos of the red rocks and wildflowers off to the right.

Footprints in the sand went in every direction. There were directional markers, but they also pointed out different paths.

Eventually, we came to this sign pointing the way to the Fire Canyon Overlook.

From there, the trail was easy to follow through a small canyon.

As we got started down that path, this young Desert Iguana posed for a pic.

We were the only people on the trail on the way out.

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As we walked, we saw a narrow side trail and decided to check it out. More beautiful red rock scenery.

Linda waited for me near the little slot where we entered. We like slot canyons and will take every opportunity to explore them.

Just before the trail ended, there was a small arch. This park has tiny arches everywhere; this was just another of many.

Just past that arch, the trail ended at a drop-off.

We rested and enjoyed a snack while having the overlook to ourselves.

We then made our way back up just as a few others were getting to the overlook.

It's amazing how the red rock layers just end and give way to lighter colored rock. The separation lines look like they are drawn with a straight edge.​

Back in the "bowl" near the parking area, we got another good view of the colorful valley below - thus the name "Rainbow Vista".

We followed the markers toward the parking area ....

and I took one last photo just before we got back to the Jeep.

So, the Rainbow Vista Trail was a pleasant walk and the red rock scenery was great, but it's great throughout the park. 

It wasn't our favorite hike in Valley of Fire by a long shot, but it doesn't take much time or effort, so it is worthwhile.