Stavros Anthony, Nevada’s lieutenant governor and chair of the Outdoor Recreation Advisory Board, has announced the opening of the Valley of Fire State Park Visitor Center. He described it as a gateway to 40,000 acres of red sandstone and ancient petroglyphs. His comments were made on X.
“As Nevada Lieutenant Governor and Chairman of Outdoor Recreation Advisory Board, honored to participate in opening ceremony of the new Valley of Fire State Park Visitor Center,” said Stavros S. Anthony, Nevada State Executive – Lieutenant Governor (R). “A beautiful gateway to 40,000 acres of bright red Aztec sandstone, petrified trees and petroglyphs.”
Valley of Fire State Park is recognized as Nevada’s oldest and one of its most frequented state parks, noted for its extensive red Aztec sandstone formations, petrified wood, and ancient rock art. The newly opened visitor center serves as a modern hub for orientation, education, and interpretation of the park’s natural and cultural history. According to Anthony, projects like this are crucial for expanding outdoor tourism while safeguarding sensitive desert landscapes for future generations.
The visitor center is part of a significant investment exceeding $30 million by Nevada State Parks aimed at enhancing visitor services and managing record visitation levels. The grand opening on November 22, 2025, featured ranger talks, cultural presentations, and tours showcasing new exhibits on the park’s geology, wildlife, and Indigenous history. Officials indicate that these upgrades will help accommodate increasing crowds drawn to the park’s approximately 46,000 acres of Aztec sandstone and Mojave Desert scenery by improving safety, education, and accessibility.
Valley of Fire State Park spans nearly 46,000 acres in Clark County with red Aztec sandstone formations originating from ancient sand dunes around 150 million years ago. The area also preserves numerous petroglyphs created by Ancestral Puebloan cultures over 2,000 years ago. With rising visitation driven partly by Las Vegas tourism, Nevada officials stress improved infrastructure to balance recreation with conservation efforts. The new visitor center aims to concentrate services while educating visitors on Leave No Trace principles to protect sensitive archaeological sites.
Anthony is Nevada’s 37th lieutenant governor since his election in 2022. A Republican with a background as a Las Vegas city councilman and police captain, he serves as president of the Nevada Senate and chairs both the Nevada Commission on Tourism and the Advisory Board on Outdoor Recreation. In these capacities, Anthony supports policies that enhance Nevada’s tourism economy and expand outdoor recreation access while supporting rural communities reliant on park visitation.
The State of Nevada oversees an extensive park system through its Division of State Parks and Division of Outdoor Recreation. The Advisory Board on Outdoor Recreation guides policy on trail development and sustainable tourism infrastructure. Valley of Fire State Park stands out within this system as a major destination attracting hundreds of thousands annually for hiking, camping, and exploring its canyons and petroglyph sites. Investments such as the new visitor center are part of Nevada’s strategy to bolster recreation-based economies while preserving its unique desert heritage.
