Pastel (Pink) Canyon Trail In The Valley Of Fire State Park, Nevada
Located within Nevada’s oldest State Parks, Pastel (Pink) Canyon Trail is a hidden gem inside the Valley of Fire State Park. It is situated on the 7 Wonders Trail between the Fire Wave Trail and Mouse’s Tank Road. There are no trail markers, which means using a map or following the wash is a must in order to reach it. While it can be a little difficult to find, the beautiful pink sandstone hues within the canyon will make it well worth the search!
Difficulty:Â Easy
Length: under 0.5 mile / 0.8 km
Suggested Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours (including time to get there via the Fire Wave Trail)
Signage:Â None, unmarked trail
Facilities: Visitors center, restrooms, water refill stations
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Key Features Of Pastel (Pink) Canyon Trail
- Located in Valley of Fire State Park, the oldest state park in Nevada
- A short and relatively easy hiking trail
- It is a hidden slot canyon
- Known for its vibrant and unique pink pastel-coloured sandstone formations
- Connects to other hiking trails
- Suitable for hikers of all skill levels
- Dog-friendly (on-leash)
Facilities And Services
- Parking at parking lot #3 (must hike Fire Wave Trail to reach the Pastel Canyon)
- The visitor centre is a short drive away (restrooms and water fill stations are located here)
Before You Start Hiking Pastel (Pink) Canyon Trail
A few things are important to know before you begin hiking the Pastel (Pink) Canyon Trail. There are two entrances to the Valley of Fire State Park, one on the west and one on the east side. There is a fee to enter the Valley of Fire State Park.
As of November 2022, the fees are as follows:
- US$10 for Nevada Vehicles
- US$15 for non-Nevada Vehicles
- US$2 for bikes
There is a visitor center with souvenirs, restrooms, water refill areas and a help desk, where you can see which trails are open and which are closed due to extreme heat or maintenance. The hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Be sure to bring plenty of water and a reusable water bottle to refill at the visitor center before heading out to hike.
The Pastel (Pink) Canyon Trail might not show up on older maps. The park map can be downloaded for free on the Avenza Maps App. We encourage you to download the app and map before hiking, as the service can be spotty within the park.
You can reach Pastel Canyon Trail either from the Fire Wave Trail, hiking 7 Wonders Loop counterclockwise (which then leads into Fire Wave Trail) or from the White Domes Loop, where it meets 7 Wonders Loop (review map for reference). You cannot park on the side of the road to access the trail. You must park at one of the designated State Park parking lots.
Lastly, following Leave No Trace Principles is important whenever you are out enjoying nature. Whatever you take in, be sure to take out. Keep an eye out for scorpions and snakes. Do not feed any wildlife, and please clean up after your dogs.
To learn more about the Valley of Fire State Park, click here!
Our Experience Hiking Pastel (Pink) Canyon Trail
We stumbled upon the Pastel Canyon Trail as we continued from Fire Wave Trail onto 7 Wonders Loop. We had no idea that the canyon was part of the loop, but we were pleasantly surprised when we came across the stunning pink sandstones.
The quickest way to reach the Pastel Canyon Trail is through the Fire Wave Trail. First, park at parking lot #3 off of Mouse’s Tank Road. Cross the road, where you will find the Fire Wave trailhead. Once you’ve reached the Fire Wave, you’ll see a sign that says the trail continues onto the 7 Wonders Trail. This is what we chose to do, and it ended up taking us to one of the most beautifully coloured slot canyons.
On our hike, we came to a portion of the trail that was filled with pools of water. We had to get crafty and climb onto the sandstone to get around this area. There were also spots where the sand was damp, and our feet sank in a bit. This is where hiking poles could come in handy!
There are no trail markers, so it is important to follow the wash down to the canyon. You’ll start to notice bright hues of pink along the way, which means you are on the right track! Here are a few photos from Pastel (Pink) Canyon:
Once you’ve reached Mouse’s Tank Road, you can either cross it and continue onto 7 Wonders Loop or turn around and head back to parking lot #3 via the Fire Wave Trail
Checklists And Recommended Gear
The Pastel (Pink) Canyon Trail may be short, but it is important to prepare appropriately for the trail as you will need to hike through either 7 Wonders Trail or Fire Wave Trail. The following is a guide to our recommended gear.
- Phone or camera
- Sunhat
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Water Bottle
- Comfortable walking or hiking shoes – Women’s // Men’s
- Jacket (weather-depending)
- Cascade Hiking Poles (optional)
Related Hikes
Other Hikes In The Valley Of Fire State Park
- Fire Wave Trail
- White Domes Trail
- 7 Wonders Loop
- Elephant Rock Loop
- Arrowhead Trail
- Rainbow Vista
- Balancing Rock
- Charlie’s Spring
- Natural Arches
- Mouse’s Tank
- Pinnacles Loop
- Prospect Trail
Other Hikes In Nevada
- Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
- Mount Charleston Wilderness Area
