Valley of Fire State Park is Nevada's oldest State Park. It covers an area of 34,880 acres (14,120 ha) and was dedicated in 1935. Valley of Fire is located 50 mi (80 km) northeast of Las Vegas, at an elevation between 2,000–2,600 ft (610–790 m). It abuts the Lake Mead National Recreation Area at the Virgin River confluence. It lies in a 4 mi × 6 mi (6.4 km × 9.7 km) basin.

The rough floor and jagged walls of the park contain brilliant formations of eroded sandstone and sand dunes more than 150 million years old. These features, which are the centerpiece of the park's attractions, often appear to be on fire when reflecting the sun's rays. 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.