An easy detour from the I-15 between Las Vegas and Zion National Park, Valley of Fire State Park lives up to its name.

Here, a fiery gauntlet of fantastical sandstone formations hug Hwy 169, illuminating brilliantly at sunrise and sunset. An 11-mile round-trip scenic road passes even more formations. Northeast of Lake Mead, this desert park gets broiling hot in summer, so save this one for spring or fall. There are two park campgrounds.