Atlatl Rock and Arch Rock | Valley of Fire

Roadside Attraction Atlatl Rock and Arch Rock - Valley of Fire Roadside Attraction Atlatl Rock and Arch Rock

Valley of Fire

Overview

RATING: Roadside Attraction
LENGTH: 1+ hours
MAPS: VALLEY OF FIRE WEST, NV

Fri

Partly sunny, with a high near 97. East northeast wind 3 to 9 mph.

97 | 71

Sat

Sunny, with a high near 94. Southwest wind 3 to 9 mph.

94 | 68

Sun

Sunny, with a high near 92.

92 | 66

Mon

Sunny, with a high near 90.

90 | 65

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 89.

89 | 64

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any, though summers can be hot.
WATER: Available at the campgrounds

Fri

Partly sunny, with a high near 97. East northeast wind 3 to 9 mph.

97 | 71

Sat

Sunny, with a high near 94. Southwest wind 3 to 9 mph.

94 | 68

Sun

Sunny, with a high near 92.

92 | 66

Mon

Sunny, with a high near 90.

90 | 65

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 89.

89 | 64

View Full Weather Details
View from the Atlatl Rock platform

View from the Atlatl Rock platform

A short side road goes to the two campgrounds in Valley of Fire. Part of this road is dirt, but passable to all vehicles. This side road also visits Arch Rock and Atlatl Rock.

Atlatl Rock is one of the easiest to access and most significant concentrations of petroglyphs in Valley of Fire State Park. The central panel, with a staircase and viewing platform, is the highlight of many visitors trip to the park. The picnic and toilet facilities make this a great lunch or break spot to spend a little time. In addition to the main Atlatl Rock, there are numerous panels of rock art in the immediate area.

Arch Rock is an arch next to the road. The colors and position of the arch, in my book, are quite stunning. We visited on very dark blue sky day, and the contrast of the arch and sky were very remarkable.

Arch Rock

Arch Rock

Getting There

Reach the park visitor center by taking exit 93 from I-15 if coming from the east ,or exit 75 if coming from the west (Las Vegas). From the highway, the route to the park is well signed. There is a fee to enter the park ($10 as of 2018 for day use).

From the Visitor Center, go south to the main Valley of Fire Highway. Go right (west) on Valley of Fire Highway for 1.9 miles. Turn right here, on the well-signed road. Atlatl rock is 0.5 miles, and Arch Rock is 0.8 miles but signed on the left side of the road. This section of road is paved. If you continue the loop back to Valley of Fire highway, there is a section of well-graded dirt road. (the side road is about 3 miles)

Atlatl Rock

Atlatl Rock

Panel near Atlatl

Panel near Atlatl

Route

Rock Art and Historic Site Etiquette
Rock art and historic sites are fragile, non-renewable cultural resources that, once damaged, can never be replaced. To ensure they are protected, please:
  • Avoid Touching the Petroglyphs: Look and observe, BUT DO NOT TOUCH!
  • Stay on the Trails: Stay on the most used trails when visiting sites, and don't create new trails or trample vegetation.
  • Photography and Sketching is Allowed: Do not introduce any foreign substance to enhance the carved and pecked images for photographic or drawing purposes. Altering, defacing, or damaging the petroglyphs is against the law -- even if the damage is unintentional.
  • Pets: Keep pets on a leash and clean up after them.
  • Artifacts: If you happen to come across sherds (broken pottery) or lithics (flakes of stone tools), leave them where you see them. Once they are moved or removed, a piece of the past is forever lost.

Atlatl rock has a staircase and platform to view the panel. It can be busy. Be sure to go west and south of the parking area to visit the other panels nearby. Social trails visit the best panels. Try to stay on social trails rather than cause additional impacts.

When continuing the drive from Atlatl Rock, Arch Rock is about 0.3 miles away. Arch Rock is visible from the park road.


Maps

Printable Maps:

Scenic Drive West

11S 719482mE 4032286mN

N36° 24' 39" W114° 33' 08"

Arch Rock

11S 719215mE 4033533mN

N36° 25' 19" W114° 33' 17"

Atlatl Rock

11S 719578mE 4033765mN

N36° 25' 26" W114° 33' 03"

Scenic Drive East

11S 720173mE 4033496mN

N36° 25' 17" W114° 32' 39"

Campground

11S 718920mE 4033221mN

N36° 25' 09" W114° 33' 30"

Campground 2

11S 719058mE 4033267mN

N36° 25' 11" W114° 33' 24"

Campground 3

11S 719708mE 4033568mN

N36° 25' 20" W114° 32' 58"

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