Arch Rock
Date filmed:2024-05-05
Number of sites:29
GPS:36.41865, -114.556887
Max vehicle length:40 Feet
Check in:2:00 PM
Check out:11:00 AM

Amenities and Activities

Amenities
Drinking Water
Fire Ring
Picnic Table
RVs
Tents
Accessible Sites
Shade Shelters
Vault Toilets
Fire Wood
Trash Collection
Tent Pads
Dump Station
Water Spigot
Activities
Hiking
Biking
Scenic Driving
Picnicking
Rock Climbing
Star Gazing
Scenic Overlooks
Wildlife Viewing
Photography

Things to Do

Arch Rock Campground Overview

See Our Favorite Sites!

Featured: Arch Rock, Atlatl, McWilliams

Arch Rock Campground is one of two campgrounds located inside of Valley of Fire State Park. It is a little less developed than neighboring Atlatl campground, but we think it is a more immersive environment. This campground is a little deeper into the red rocks that let you pretend you are camping on Mars. This video will give you basic campground and park information, review campground amenities, and we'll also show you the sites that we think are the best, including the one we want to book the next time we go. Arch Rock campground to this day remains our #1 favorite campground, mainly due to the unique environment.

Full Break Down of Arch Rock Campground

Learn about Arch Rock Campground

Featured: Arch Rock, Atlatl

Experience the magic of Arch Rock Campground at Valley of Fire State Park, where vibrant red rock formations and serene, starlit nights create a mesmerizing escape. Perfect for adventurers seeking unforgettable desert beauty and tranquility. Arch Rock Campground, nestled within the stunning Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada, offers an extraordinary camping experience amidst breathtaking natural beauty. The campground is named after the nearby Arch Rock, a magnificent natural arch formed by the erosion of red sandstone over millennia. This unique geological feature, along with the park's vibrant red rock formations, provides a dramatic backdrop for campers and outdoor enthusiasts. The campground itself is well-equipped to cater to both tent and RV campers. It features 29 campsites, each with a picnic table and fire ring, providing a comfortable and convenient setup for visitors. While there are no hookups for RVs, the campground offers clean restrooms, potable water, and a dump station. The sites are spacious and spread out, ensuring a sense of privacy and tranquility amidst the rugged desert landscape. One of the standout features of Arch Rock Campground is its proximity to numerous hiking trails and scenic viewpoints. Visitors can explore the nearby Elephant Rock, Atlatl Rock, and Mouse's Tank, each offering unique insights into the park's rich natural and cultural history. The campground's location also makes it an ideal spot for stargazing, with clear desert skies providing a stunning view of the night sky, free from light pollution. Whether you're looking to hike, photograph, or simply relax under the stars, Arch Rock Campground offers an unforgettable desert experience.

Your Own Private Grotto!

A Guide to Arch Rock Campground

Featured: Arch Rock

Ever wonder what it would be like to camp on a slightly terraformed Martian Landscape? If so, we've got something for you! At Valley of Fire State Park, with very little imagination, you can live out your dreams of spending a night on the red planet. Or at the very least, your dreams of camping in an iconic desert landscape. In today's episode we venture off to explore a park in a new state for us - Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada! We stay at Arch Rock Campground and tour the area, provide a review of our campsite as well as visit many of the other sites to give you an idea of what camping is like in this natural wonder. Valley of Fire is unlike any other location one could possibly visit on planet Earth. With its Mars-like rock structures and breathtaking striped sandstone, there is a lot to explore! Camping at Valley of Fire provides a chance to be truly enveloped by the landscape and sleep up close to history. Two campgrounds offer this opportunity for visitors - Arch Rock Campground and Atlatl Rock Campground. Arch Rock Campground is the more primitive campground of the two - offering 29 sites butted up against deep red sandstone providing plenty of privacy. Each site has its own potable water source, tent pad, a stand-up barbeque grill in addition to a fire ring, and covered picnic tables. The campground features dry camping so it has vault toilets rather than flushing toilets and no showers. However, the nearby Atlatl Rock Campground is more developed and offers amenities for use by campers at Arch Rock. Each site can accommodate tents, trailers, campers, or RVs. Arch Rock Campground does not, however, provide RV hookups but there is a dump station.

Conquering the Logandale Trails

Epic Offroad Adventure in Nevada!

Featured: Arch Rock, Atlatl

Join us on an exhilarating offroad adventure through the stunning Logandale Trails in Nevada! Experience heart-pounding action as we tackle rugged terrain, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable moments in this ultimate outdoor escapade. The Logandale Trails in Nevada offer a spectacular offroad experience, attracting adventure enthusiasts from all over. Nestled within the Mojave Desert, this area boasts over 200 miles of diverse trails that cater to all skill levels. From sandy dunes to rocky pathways, the terrain provides an exciting challenge for offroad vehicles, dirt bikes, and ATVs. The trails are well-marked and maintained, ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey through the breathtaking desert landscape. In addition to its thrilling offroad opportunities, Logandale Trails is a haven for nature lovers. The region is home to a variety of wildlife, including desert bighorn sheep and various bird species. Visitors can also explore the area's unique geological formations and ancient petroglyphs, which offer a glimpse into the history and culture of the indigenous people who once inhabited the land. With its combination of adventure and natural beauty, Logandale Trails is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to explore the wild side of Nevada. The 13-mile loop in the Logandale Trails system is a premier route for offroad enthusiasts seeking a mix of challenging terrain and stunning desert scenery. This loop offers a dynamic ride, featuring a variety of obstacles including steep climbs, rocky passages, and sandy stretches that test both skill and endurance. As riders navigate the trail, they are rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding Mojave Desert, showcasing its unique geological formations and vibrant flora. The 13-mile loop is not only a test of offroading prowess but also an immersive journey through one of Nevada’s most captivating landscapes.

Hiking White Domes Loop Trail

Exploring a Slot Canyon and Colorful Rocks

Featured: Arch Rock, Atlatl

The White Domes Loop Trail is almost always mentioned as one of the must-do hikes for those visiting Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada. It is known for colorful sandstone formations, a slot canyon, and even the remnants of an old Hollywood movie set. We set out on the trail to see if it lives up to its reputation. In this episode, we explore the White Domes of Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada. We walk the length of the White Domes Loop trail and get to experience a beautiful slot canyon, many colorful sandstone formations, as well as the remnants of an old movie set from a 1965 film named "The Professionals". The hike is a relatively short one (around a mile), and is quite simple with not too much elevation change. The beginning part is probably the most challenging as it is through thick sand, which then descends into a small canyon. The initial decent has some steps and can be slick at times when loose sand blows over smooth stone. We arrived around 7:30 AM and did not see a single person the entire time we were there. This section of the park is often rated very high on lists of things to do at Valley of Fire. After experiencing it for ourselves, we tend to agree that this trail is one of the highlights of the park. Unfortunately, the trail is not wheelchair accessible, and you have to hike deep into it to experience the best parts (a slot canyon, old movie set, colorful sandstone, the domes, etc...) There seems to be plenty of parking and I did observe it being very busy at times, but was always able to find a vacant parking spot, even in peak season. Near the parking area, you'll find restrooms (vault toilets), as well as a covered area with tables, and grills, making this a great spot for a picnic lunch.

Six Quick Stops at Valley of Fire

Must See Easy Features

Featured: Arch Rock

Valley of Fire State Park is an awesome location in Nevada just a day trip away from Las Vegas. We're going to show you six quick stops in the park that one ABSOLUTELY must make in their plans. Valley of Fire State Park has so much to do and see! Today we take a tour of the east side of the park and visit Elephant Rock, Seven Sisters, Lone Rock, Petrified Logs East and the memorial site for John J. Clark where we show you what to expect and give our thoughts on whether you should make the stop or not. Each of these natural features offers unique opportunities to stop and take in the beauty that is Valley of Fire State Park. Elephant Rock is conveniently located near the east entrance to Valley of Fire and makes a great first stop when touring the sites. The natural sandstone arch forms the trunk and the bands of weathered rock make it easy to visualize the body of the elephant. Due to the fragility of the arch, climbing the rocks is prohibited. Seven Sisters is a day use area located off Valley of Fire Highway near the Visitor Center. Picnic tables and grills are nestled in between the seven large red towers. Time and weather have created bored holes into the surface to create these natural wonders. Restrooms are also available at this stop. This is a very popular destination for weddings and wedding photos. Lone Rock is a short stop away from the Seven Sisters on the way to the Cabins. A single large, red boulder stands alone next to the parking lot making this an easy stop for anyone. A single picnic table and grill are available for picnickers. Great views are available if one ventures out from the parking lot. The Cabins in Valley of Fire State Park are along the same road as Lone Rock. In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps built three sandstone and wood cabins to host traveling tourists. While not used today, these cabins are available for visitors to enter and imagine life in days long gone when a single fireplace and a great view were your company. The eastern petrified log is east of the Cabins located off Valley of Fire Highway. One singular log is behind a fence providing an excellent chance to see history. This feature is formed when organic matter is replaced by minerals over time by nature. The John J. Clark Memorial is located off Valley of Fire Highway between Elephant Rock and the Petrified Log. To view the memorial, park across the street and follow the rock lined pathway. John J Clark was honorable discharged from the New York Calvary after serving in the Civil War. He later moved west to California but passed away during a stop in Valley of Fire after presumably seeking water.

Untamed Valley of Fire

Exploring Valley of Fire, Off the Beaten Path

Featured: Arch Rock

Valley of Fire State Park has many nooks and crannies off the beaten path for the visitor to explore and enjoy. I discovered one such place, full of interesting and colorful rock formations, behind Parking Lot #1 off of White Domes Road. If you've been to Valley of Fire State Park, perhaps you've stopped at a parking area off of White Domes Road simply named, Parking Lot #1. There is a sign there describing some of the common plants in the area, and a beautiful vista with small sandstone domes, beehive-like formations, and colorful rusty-red mountains in the background. You may have also noticed hundreds of footprints in the sand behind the lot hinting that there might be something to see in the region beyond the parking lot. This video explores that area, most likely more deeply than the average adventurer would be willing to do. What we discovered back there was some of the widest range of color present in the sandstone than most any other place in the park that we know about. You will also see some very unique rock formations and exquisite geometric patterns in the stones. One of our particular favorites is a small sandstone arch we found that was striped and layered. For whatever reason, this area really called to me. I visited it around three or four times while there, and this video represents one of my last adventures back there when I decided to dig a little deeper. So glad I did!

Campground Overview

Arch Rock Campground – Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

Arch Rock Campground is a beautiful, intimate camping area set among the glowing red sandstone formations of Valley of Fire State Park in southern Nevada. Known for its dramatic scenery, quiet atmosphere, and classic desert camping experience, this campground sits near some of the park’s most iconic rock formations and offers easy access to the landscapes that make Valley of Fire famous. With sculpted cliffs, ancient petroglyphs, and surreal photo-worthy terrain in every direction, Arch Rock Campground remains a favorite for travelers seeking an authentic, low-key desert stay.

Location & Access

The campground is located inside Valley of Fire State Park along the scenic loop road, roughly six miles from the west entrance and about an hour northeast of Las Vegas. Set among massive red Navajo sandstone formations, Arch Rock Campground is surrounded by towering cliffs, slot-like passages, and boulder-studded desert terrain. Its location provides easy access to the park’s main roads while still feeling removed from the busier areas near the visitor center and major viewpoints.

Campground Overview

Arch Rock Campground is the quieter and more rustic of Valley of Fire’s two main campgrounds. It typically offers around 30 campsites arranged among red rock alcoves and sandy washes, with a mix of shaded and exposed spots depending on rock formations and sun angle. Sites vary in size and character, making this a great choice for tent campers, vans, and small trailers. Larger RVs may find access tight in some loops due to narrow roads and sharp turns around the rocks.

Because of its popularity and limited capacity, it often books up quickly on weekends, especially in spring and fall when desert temperatures are more comfortable. Staying here offers the rare experience of camping directly among glowing sandstone walls with incredible sunrise and sunset lighting. At night, the area is exceptionally dark, making stargazing one of the camp’s biggest highlights.

Amenities

Arch Rock Campground provides basic amenities including shaded picnic tables, fire rings, grills, and vault toilets. There are no electrical hookups or dump stations in this campground, and water availability may vary depending on season and park management. Campers should arrive prepared for dry camping. Potable water, showers, and additional facilities are available nearby at Atlatl Rock Campground, just a short drive away.

Activities & Nearby Attractions

The campground is just a short stroll from Arch Rock itself—one of the park’s classic formations—and is close to the scenic loop road leading to many of Valley of Fire’s must-see sites. Nearby attractions include Atlatl Rock with its ancient petroglyphs, the Beehives formations near the west entrance, and the trailheads leading to Fire Canyon, White Domes, and the famous Fire Wave. Photographers love this area for its vibrant colors, swirling sandstone textures, and soft light reflected off rock walls at sunrise and sunset.

Hiking, photography, wildlife viewing, and exploring the surrounding rock formations are the main activities here. The campground’s quiet, natural setting makes it ideal for wandering at golden hour or enjoying the stars in the still desert night.

Summary

Arch Rock Campground is a standout destination for anyone wanting to immerse themselves in the otherworldly landscapes of Valley of Fire State Park. With its sculpted red rock surroundings, peaceful desert atmosphere, and proximity to iconic formations, it offers one of the most scenic and memorable camping experiences in southern Nevada. Whether you’re here for hiking, photography, stargazing, or simply soaking up desert beauty, Arch Rock Campground provides a perfect base for exploring the fiery landscape of Nevada’s oldest and most dramatic state park.

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