Valley of Fire is Nevada's oldest state park, dedicated in 1935, about an hour northeast of Las Vegas past Lake Mead. The rock is Aztec sandstone laid down as dunes 150 million years ago and weathered since into fins, arches and slot canyons that go a startling red in low sun.
The scenic drive alone justifies the trip — White Domes Road, climbing north from the visitor center, is one of the best short drives in the state. On foot, Fire Wave is a striped sandstone bowl about a mile and a half round trip, Mouse's Tank walks a sand wash past a wall of petroglyphs, and Atlatl Rock has more of them up a steel staircase.
Entry is charged per vehicle at the gate, and it is a few dollars more for out-of-state plates. Summer here is genuinely dangerous: the Fire Wave trail closes through the hottest months, and there is no shade to speak of. Go early, or go between October and April.