Mouse's Tank + Petroglyphs

Mouse’s Tank is accessed via a short out-and-back hike. It is a popular area within Valley of Fire State Park and features impressive sandstone rock formations as well as some Native American petroglyphs.

The trail takes off from the parking area and quickly turns sandy. In fact the remainder of the hike is through often deep sand - despite the short distance your lower legs will get a workout!

Be on the lookout for petroglyphs, which will be on the left side of the trail as you are heading out. This small area of Native American rock art is estimated to be 2,000-4,000 years old. Please do not touch the petroglyphs, as oils from your skin will harm the rock art.

Near the trail’s end you’ll take a sharp left and end up at Mouse’s Tank - a natural basin in the rock that collects water after each rainfall. The tank is named after the Indian Mouse, an outlaw who hid out in this area and used the tank as a source of drinking water.