Valley of Fire State Park
Occupies a basin about 6 miles long and 3 to 4 miles wide. The rough floor and jagged walls contain formations of eroded red sandstone, said to date back 150 million years, that often appear to be on fire when reflecting the sun's rays.
Some cliffs and rocks, mainly in the area of Atlatl Rock, are covered with prehistoric petroglyphs probably carved from 300 B.C. to A.D. 1150 by the Basket Maker perople and the Anasazi Pueblo farmers. An atlatl ( Aztec for spear thrower ) was a device used before the invention of the bow and arrow to increase the speed and distance a spear could be thrown. Atlatl Rock contains a petroglyph depiction of this tool. Visitor center daily 8:30 - 4:30. Entry $5 per private vehicle.