Yes, Valley of Fire State Park is absolutely worth visiting. Not only is it Nevada’s first state park—and one of its most popular—it’s less than an hour from Vegas. And if you can go early on a weekday when the crowds are smaller, you’ll find a red-rock wonderland full of petroglyphs and desert scenery that’s hard to beat.

While a full day will give you the chance to hike out on the trails and grab a picnic and some solitude, if you only have a few hours, it’s still worth visiting. The two main roads through the park offer plenty of parking and views, making a scenic drive (with some leg stretching) an excellent way to spend a morning or afternoon.

You can turn your trip to Valley of Fire State Park into a day trip pretty easily—stop by the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on your way out of town, witness the Nellis Dunes, tour the Lost City Museum, or make it a full outdoorsy day with a stop at Lake Mead National Recreation Area.