Photos: Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

The nearest town is Overton, Nev. There is no lodging inside the park, only two campsites near the park’s west entrance, easily reached by a marked turnoff from Interstate 15. Arch Rock Campground is the smaller and more primitive of these, but, on the other hand, is more scenic. It includes such notable rock formations as Arch, Piano and Poodle rocks.  (Dan Blackburn / For The Times)

The sun gleams through Atlatl Rock.  (Dan Blackburn / For The Times)

A hollow in a rock wall provides one camper with a ready-made room for the night.  (Dan Blackburn / For The Times)

A desert bighorn sheep makes himself right at home.  (Dan Blackburn / For The Times)

Springtime in the Valley of Fire means blooms on the beavertail cactuses.  (Dan Blackburn / For The Times)

The Anasazi arrived perhaps 1,000 years ago and may have been responsible for many of the rock art petroglyphs in the park, which include images of hunters, bighorn sheep and other less identifiable shapes.  (Dan Blackburn / For The Times)