Lake Mead & Valley of Fire State Park Self-Guided Audio Tour
Description
Discover the majesty of Lake Mead with this self-guided driving tour! Take in vibrant rock formations millions of years in the making! Hike fantastic desert trails. Uncover the history of ancient tribes and their strategies for survival. Witness the Colorado River’s force and learn about the ongoing struggle surrounding this life-giving source of water. All from the comfort of your own vehicle! After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Welcome to beautiful Lake Mead! From fossils to lost cities to fascinating historical characters, there’s no shortage of secrets to uncover here. Note: The tour is over 68 miles long, with more than 60+ audio stories, and takes about 2-3 hours to complete. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
It’s that collection of floating platforms and docks. The Lake Mead Marina didn’t start out here — it moved here! And chances are it just might move again.
It gets its name from the now-defunct Lake Mead Fish Hatchery, built in 1969 to grow striped bass and other trout species for sport.
Sunset View Scenic Overlook, offering panoramic views of Lake Mead and the desert landscape. From there, you can see the Boulder Basin, the Muddy Mountains and the Callville Mesa.
As the water level of Lake Mead continues to drop, many things that were once buried are now being exposed. That includes canyons! Owl Canyon was once submerged beneath Lake Mead, but has now been revealed once more for hikers to enjoy.
Only 1.5 miles long, this trail should take less than an hour to complete. It’s another favorite for the bird enthusiasts because the Black-throated Sparrow and House finch are attracted to the vegetation on this corridor. You might even spot a Great Blue Heron! Dragonflies love to flit around here, too.
Las Vegas Wash is the primary channel that returns excess water from the Las Vegas Valley to Lake Mead.
Up next is the Anniversary Narrows Trail! This easy 3-mile trail takes hikers through a slot canyon, and usually takes around an hour and a half to complete.
This is a short but steep hike. Stick it out and you’ll be rewarded with panoramic and breathtaking views of the Muddy Mountains, Bowl of Fire, and the Bitter Spring Valley.
The Redstone Dune Trail is coming up soon. This easy looped trail is only half a mile long, and takes less than 30 minutes to hike.
What’s an atlatl? It's a nifty tool that was used by the Pueblo tribes as a dart thrower or throwing stick. They were used to launch spears, and are depicted in the petroglyphs adorning Atlatl Rock.
Fire Cave used to be nestled within a mini wind tunnel carved out of sandstone rock. Windstone Arch stood at its mouth. Both were beloved subjects of countless photographs, thanks to their vibrant red hues and arch shape.
Pastel Canyon Trail is just ahead. This easy, mile-long trail is one of the hidden gems of Valley of Fire State Park.
Up next is the Fire Wave Trail, a 1.5-mile hike to a magnificent sandstone formation that resembles an ocean wave frozen in time. It’s moderate and takes about an hour to complete.
Valley of Fire State Park dazzles visitors with its vibrant red sandstone formations, dating back over 150 million years. As Nevada's oldest state park, it spans nearly 46,000 acres and offers a captivating landscape shaped by ancient dunes, arches, and petroglyphs. The fiery red hues, especially at sunrise and sunset, and unique rock formations like the Fire Wave and Elephant Rock make this a must-visit natural sanctuary in the Mojave Desert.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
- How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
- Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
- Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
- Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
- New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to your car's stereo system using Bluetooth, USB, or AUX. For the best experience, consider using headphones for walking tours. Audio playback is compatible with Apple CarPlay, with navigation features coming soon. Support for Android Auto is also on the way.
- The tour requires a supported mobile device for navigation. Please use an iPhone with iOS 15 or later, an Android device with Android 9 or later, or an iPad/tablet with GPS and cellular service.
Reviews(6)
What an informative tour. It was full of information to keep you enjoying the views as you drive. I'd do it again for a different drive
Linda, I’m so glad you enjoyed my Lake Mead & Valley of Fire Self-Guided Audio Tour. It’s wonderful to hear the stories you added to your solo day trip; they made the drive even more enjoyable. I’d love for you to try more of my tours on your next adventure — each one is packed with local insights and stunning routes like this. As your love for travel grows, keep in mind that my Action+ Tour Bundle includes over 100 self-guided tours to enhance your adventures. Safe travels and more awe-inspiring views to come!
Loved the ability to tour at my own pace and in my own car. The stories shared are interesting and the technology used to see where I am on the path so the audio can start/stop automatically was awesome! The only difficult part was that some of the stories seemed to be a little long as they cut off because we had arrived at the next audio point on the route. I felt like I missed some of the interesting parts and struggled to go backwards to play them again.
Howard, I’m happy you enjoyed touring Lake Mead & Valley of Fire at your own pace and found the stories engaging and the auto-play feature helpful. Thanks for the kind words about the flexibility and experience. About the audio getting cut off—this can happen if the speed limit shown in the app isn't followed exactly, as it helps keep everything in sync. The good news is that the tour is valid for a year after booking, so you can revisit and catch up on anything you missed. Just be sure to start from the set point, follow the route, and stick to the speed limit—and you’ll have a smooth ride next time.
The audio tour was semi-informative although the route was a good one and contained several good site
Kimberly, I’m glad you enjoyed the route and found great stops along my Lake Mead & Valley of Fire Self-Guided Audio Tour. My app doesn’t support Android Auto, but you can easily connect to your stereo for a smooth experience. Just a tip—starting from the recommended point, following the suggested route, and keeping to the speed limit will ensure the audio syncs ideally as you drive. And if you’re curious, the “Learn More” section in the app offers deeper insights at each stop. Thanks for sharing your thoughts—it helps me improve for future updates!
Valley of Fire and Lake Mead Self-Guided Tour Review If you're considering exploring the Valley of Fire and Lake Mead, this self-guided tour is a must-do! This tour offers an amazing balance of flexibility and guidance, making it perfect for those who want an independent adventure but still appreciate a well-curated experience. Excellent Guidance and Commentary The explanations provided at each stop were top-notch, covering not only the history and geology of the sites but also practical tips about each location. The directions were very clear, so navigating between stops was seamless, even without a guide. The commentary also goes beyond the basic information, leading you to additional viewpoints and photo spots that aren't officially part of the main route. These bonus stops were real gems and added a lot to the overall experience! User-Friendly Navigation The tour provides step-by-step directions and lets you know exactly how far each stop is, making the drive incredibly smooth. It’s ideal for taking your time and absorbing the natural beauty without feeling rushed. That said, one small suggestion would be to include distances in kilometers as well, which would be a helpful addition for international visitors more accustomed to the metric system. Highly Recommended This self-guided tour is an absolute recommendation for anyone visiting the area. With its ease of use, insightful commentary, and flexibility for extra stops, it truly enhances the experience of visiting Valley of Fire and Lake Mead. It's a fantastic way to explore at your own pace while still making sure you don’t miss anything.
Tim, I’m thrilled my Lake Mead & Valley of Fire Self-Guided Audio Tour perfectly fits your adventure. It’s wonderful to hear that the detailed commentary, easy navigation, and those hidden photo spots added so much to your experience. The flexibility to explore at your pace with clear guidance and extra insights is precisely what I aim for, and I’m glad you appreciated it all. As your love for travel grows, remember that my Action+ Tour Bundle is packed with over 100 self-guided tours ready to amplify your adventures. Safe travels and more awe-inspiring views to come!
Stunning scenery, and great hiking! Be sure to go during cooler weather. Don’t recommend during hot months. Plan several hours there.
Thank you for the enthusiastic review of my Lake Mead & Valley of Fire State Park Audio Tour! It's a joy to know that you relished the mesmerising landscapes and hiking opportunities. Your insights on the best time to visit will undoubtedly be valuable for future explorers. As your love for travel continues to grow, keep in mind that my Action+ Tour Bundle is packed with over 100 self-guided tours ready to amplify your adventures. Safe travels and more awe-inspiring views to come!
Great app and tour. Very informative and interesting. It’s nice that you can download and use in places where cell service isn’t available. Highly recommended.
Thank you, Ryan! I am thrilled you found my Lake Mead Audio Tour informative and user-friendly, especially in areas with limited cell service. Ensuring you have an uninterrupted experience is crucial to me. As you embark on more adventures, consider exploring my Action+ Tour Bundle, which offers over 100 self-guided tours for countless memorable experiences. Safe and enlightening travels to you!
