Elephant Rock Loop Trail | Valley of Fire

The Elephant Rock Loop Trail is just over a mile long.  The parking is located at the East entrance to Valley if Fire, but you could also park at the Arrowhead lot about a 1/2 mile into the park from the East entrance.

We were there during Christmas vacation break.  As you can imagine, the park was VERY busy and the lots very full!  When we went to try to park at the East entrance park, we got super lucky.  A guy that was driving a big pickup truck was leaving and he flagged us over.  He said he also owned a Jeep and was leaving, so did we want his spot.  Of course we did!  Driving a Jeep can have some perks. LOL  

The trail goes off to the right, when everyone else is heading to the left to look at Elephant Rock.  Once we got a 1/10 of a mile past the split there wasn't a person in site.  This half of the hike is between lots of red rocks.  It's gorgeous and quite.  While in the section we saw 4 big horn sheep grazing their way across the desert.  Their journey took them along our trail for awhile, so we took our time meandering along, giving them plenty of space.

We cut through the river wash, although if you stay on trail, it takes just about as long.  Once we got to the roadside, the trail follows along the mail road of Valley of Fire until you've come to Elephant Rock.  There is usually no shortage of people standing here looking at the rock and taking photos, so don't hesitate to ask for someone to take your photo!

If you want to see the rock and not take the hike, all you have to do is follow along the road from the East entrance parking lot.  It's not far, at all.  Otherwise, the hike was beautiful, tons of red rock, very quiet, and had a little bit of scrambling up and down.  Overall it's rated easy.  I wouldn't recommend it for folks that are looking for a flat or paved trail - it is not.  Personally I wear knee braces to support arthritis pain and use a hiking stick.  I felt is was accessible for me with no issues.