The Valley of Fire is a visually striking area of rock formation located in southern Nevada. It is named for the red sandstone that make up the walls of the valley. The Valley of Fire is a feature of the Mojave Desert, and is surrounded by the Valley of Fire State Park. Fall and Spring are when tourists prefer to visit the state park, which features 3,000 year old petroglyphs and petrified wood. Visitors can also enjoy camping and hiking.
The 125,000 acres of water that make up Pyramid Lake stand out in Nevada, the driest state in the country. Pyramid Lake is the last remaining body of water in what was once Lake Lahontan, an inland sea that covered the region thousands of years ago. Pyramid Lake was discovered by John C. Fremont in 1844 and named for the pyramid of rock that stands on one of the islands in the lake. Pyramid Lake has been a source of food to the Paiute Indians who live in the region. They refer to the lake as "Cu Yui Pah" which translates to "lake of the cui ui fish".
Nevada has become a tourist destination because of the diversity of it's landscape and attractions. The name Nevada comes from the Spanish word for "snow-covered". One of the best known attractions in Nevada is the city of Las Vegas, a popular travel destination for conferences and vacations because of its vibrant entertainment industry. Tourists visit Nevada for hiking, climbing, birding, mountain biking and to visit one of several ghost towns. The Hoover Dam, the largest public works project in America, is located in Nevada and is open for visitors.
The Valley of Fire is contained within a park, protected by the state of Nevada, while Pyramid lake is located entirely within a reservation of the Paiute Tribe. When visiting these unusual geographic features, be aware of the fees, rules and regulations associated with visiting these areas. Visitors can obtain information about Nevada State Parks from Nevada Tourism (Travelnevada.com), and information regarding the Paiute Reservation is available from the Paiutu Tribe (plpt.nsn.us).
