1. Valley of Fire
Pick a trail, any trail. It’s hard to go wrong at this spectacular state park, where ancient petroglyphs, natural rock arches, slot canyons and outcroppings of crimson sandstone vie for your attention. Most of the trails here are relatively short treks across sandy ground to rock formations sculpted over millions of years by wind and water. No matter which you choose, you’re bound to be awed by the views, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t give a special shoutout to the Fire Wave trail. Just across from parking lot no. 3, this mile-long route leads to an undulating rock “wave” with candy cane stripes that’s particularly enchanting in the warm light of dawn or dusk.