MOAPA VALLEY / VALLEY OF FIRE

Moapa Valley is a little gem in the southern Nevada desert, edged between Lake Mead National Recreation Area and Valley of Fire State Park. Made up of a series of alluring communities—Overton, Logandale, Glendale and Moapa—this is where you’ll also find the Muddy River, a tributary of the Colorado River system that empties into the expansive Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Various occupants have made the valley home for centuries, but archaeologists have found evidence of both Pueblo and Paiute civilizations that used the Moapa Valley.

Interestingly, the Anasazi people lived in this region nearly 12,000 years ago and used the valley as their westernmost outpost. Here, they constructed their homes out of mud to create hive-like structures, which made for some interesting villages. The largest, known as the Lost City was comprised of an astounding 94 rooms. Although many of these fascinating villages were swallowed up by the gargantuan Lake Mead, replicas can be toured at the Lost City Nevada State Museum in Overton today.

The Valley of Fire is 55 miles northeast of Las Vegas via Interstate 15 and State Route 169, which were once part of the historic Arrowhead Trail. The park is 12 miles south of Overton by State Route 169. The Moapa Tribal Store, located at the Valley of Fire exit, provides a tour stop for Indian art, crafts, and a smoke shop. The Valley of Fire also can be reached by the North Shore Road, which follows the edge of Lake Mead northward from the Hoover Dam area.

The Valley of Fire became Nevada’s first state park in 1935. The visitor center in the middle of the park has information, books, gifts, and exhibits on the area’s unique geology. Attractions include petrified logs and many scenic vistas. Ancient Indian petroglyphs, or rock writings, can be seen at two locations: Atlatl Rock, named for a spear-throwing weapon depicted on the rock, and Petroglyph Canyon. The latter has a trail that leads to Mouse’s Tank, which served as the hideout of a reclusive Paiute in 1897. Visitors will find such beautifully eroded landmarks as Elephant Rock, the Seven Sisters, and the Beehives.

MOAPA VALLEY & VALLEY OF FIRE THINGS TO DO

Ultimate Desert Lost City Museum Love Hikes

Adventures 721 S Moapa Valley Blvd lovehikes.com 250 S Moapa Valley Blvd, Overton, NV 89040 (702) 235.6014 Overton, NV 89040 (702) 952-1633 (702) 397-2193 Las Vegas ATV & UTV Moapa Valley Corn Maze 1500 Lewis Ranch Rd, Moapa, Elephant Rock Tours NV 89025 Valley of Fire Hwy, lvatvtours.com (702) 620-3379 Overton, NV 8904O (702) 750-9751 (702) 397-2088 30 LAS VEGAS TERRITORY | LASVEGASTERRITORY.COM

FUN FACTS • At one time Moapa Valley provided fresh cantaloupe melons to all the

Southern Pacific Railroad diner cars. • People who lived in St. Thomas would go “over to town” to shop, and that’s how Overton got its name. • When the Hoover Dam was opened in the 30’s, St. Thomas was submerged underwater and later became known as the Lost City. Due to our ongoing drought, part of the city has emerged, and you can walk to the area. Because of the muddy appearance of the Moapa

River, it was renamed “The Muddy”. • Moapa Valley has been inhabited since 1000 B.C. • Elephant Rock in Valley of Fire dates back 4000 years

EVENTS

• MARCH - Moapa Valley Days • APRIL - Clark County Fair • MAY - Clark County Rodeo • OCTOBER - Fall Festival

Moapa Valley Car & Motorcycle Show • NOVEMBER - Pomegranate Festival • DECEMBER - Festival of Trees Fire Wave formation

Atlatl Rock Campground