Elephant Rock Trail is a 0.3 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Overton, Nevada that offers the chance to see wildlife and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Elephant Rock is an easy out and back trail 0.4mi. RT or a 1.2mi. loop to an elephant shaped rock formation in Nevada's Valley of Fire State Park. The Rock is located right next to the main road near the East Entrance. Elephant Rock is an easy out and back trail 0.4mi. RT or a 1.2mi. loop to an elephant shaped rock formation in Nevada's Valley of Fire State Park. The Rock is located right next to the main road near the East Entrance. Parking is prohibited there, but you can park at the East Entrance parking lot and take a short 0.2 mile hike to get up close. Take the left fork in the open area to head back toward the main road and up the hill - this will take you right to the rock which is above you to the right as you reach the road. You can easily climb to a vantage point above the rock to take the best pictures. The trail continues along the road and bears off to the right and loops around the rock formations to come back toward the main parking lot on the other side. The loop is 1.2 miles. Watch for lizards and snakes. The rock formations are very interesting. The Valley of Fire derives its name from red sandstone formations, formed from great shifting sand dunes during the age of dinosaurs. Complex uplifting and faulting of the region, followed by extensive erosion, have created the present landscape. Other important rock formations include limestones, shales, and conglomerates. Prehistoric users of the Valley of Fire included the Basket Maker people and later the Anasazi Pueblo farmers from the nearby fertile Moapa Valley.
The trailhead starts at the pay station. Lots of paved parking and restroom facilities. PARK FACILITIES The visitor center provides exhibits on geology, ecology, prehistory, and history of the park and the nearby region. The visitor center is open daily from 8:30 am to 4:30. The rest of the park does not close. Entrance Fee: An entrance fee is charged per vehicle upon entering the park. This fee is collected at the fee booth or at self-pay stations. Camping: Additional fees are charged for the use of camping areas and is payable at the campgrounds. All campsites are first-come, first-serve. There are two campgrounds with a combined total of 72 units. Campsites are equipped with shaded tables, grills, water, and restrooms. A dump station and showers are available. A camping limit of 14 days in a 30-day period is enforced. RV Camping: RV sites with power and water hookups are now available. A $10 surcharge is added to the regular camping fee for the use of these sites. Picnicking: Shaded areas with restrooms are located at Atlatl Rock, Seven Sisters, the Cabins, near Mouses Tank trailhead, and White Domes. Group Area: There are three group areas, each accommodating up to 45 people, though parking is limited. They are available for overnight camping and picnicking by reservation only. Call the park for reservations: (702) 397-2088. Hiking: Many intriguing hikes are available to visitors. Inquire at the visitor center for suggestions on day hikes of varying length and terrain. Reference: More info: http://parks.nv.gov/parks/valley-of-fire-state-park/
Valley of Fire State Park P.O. Box 515 Overton, Nevada 89040 Phone: (702) 397-2088 Fax: (702) 397-2621 Email: vof@mvdsl.com.
From LasVegas: Take I-15 North to exit #75. Take a right at the end of the exit ramp and follow the road heading towards the Valley of Fire State Park. The park is approximately 11 miles east of I-15. From Mesquite: Take I-15 South to exit 93. Take a left onto NV 169 South and follow the road through the towns of Logandale and Overton heading towards Valley of Fire State Park. You can also take I-15 South to exit 75. Take a left at the end of the exit ramp and follow the road heading towards the Valley of Fire State Park. The park is approximately 18 miles East of I-15. From Las Vegas via Lake Mead: Take Lake Mead Blvd (NV 147) East towards the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Turn left onto NV 167. Take the first left after Overton Beach turn out heading West towards the Valley of Fire State Park. The park entrance is approximately 1.5 miles from the NV 167.
Very short and easy walk. Easier to see the formation when closer to the road
this is literally a walk from the parking lot. Not a hike, but definitely worth seeing on your way out.
Any excuse to get out and enjoy the scenery is well worth it. Glad they have a sign pointing to the "elephant"!
Gets 3 stars for the view, but that did not look like an elephant. There is actually another formation on the back that looks more like an elephants face. Hot day but very short trail so no water needed until you get back to the park.
Not really much of a hike, really short and you can actually bypass most of it if you just walk along the road, since the elephant is very near the road up from the start of the trailhead. However, the elephant rock is a pretty cool sight. Hike is something to get you started as you make your way into the park (or exit the park).
Although you can stop and take pic from the road, take this little stroll. First stop I came to, as I entered park from the southeast