Pros & cons
PROS
- Vivid Aztec sandstone domes and slickrock maze
- Quieter than nearby Valley of Fire
CONS
- Off-trail navigation with dryfall bypasses and Class 2 scrambles
- No water or services; extreme heat outside cool months
Overview
The Upper (northern) Bowl of Fire is a compact, glowing world of Aztec Sandstone—domes, fins, pockets, and short narrows—tucked north of Northshore Road. It delivers the color and drama people chase at Valley of Fire, but with far fewer visitors and a wilder feel.
Route at a Glance
- Start from the Northshore Summit Trailhead. A short signed path climbs to a viewpoint, then drops into a drainage leading toward the Callville Wash corridor.
- Watch for a cairned social path leaving the wash toward the sandstone. Once in the Bowl, expect use-paths and broad slickrock—perfect for wandering.
- Terrain is mostly Class 2 with occasional Class 2+ moves around dryfalls. Many hikers do an out-and-back to limit mileage and route-finding, though loop options exist via different drainages.
Difficulty & Time
This is an off-trail desert ramble with intermittent cairns and several dryfall workarounds. Plan a half to full day depending on how much you explore and which exit you choose.
Best Time to Visit
Come in the cool season—late fall through early spring. Avoid hot, windy, or monsoon-style storm days; shade is minimal and flash-flooding can affect drainages.
Geology in Plain Sight
The Bowl’s brilliant rock is Jurassic Aztec Sandstone—ancient dunes turned to stone. Much later, regional crustal stretching and nearby volcanism tilted and exposed these layers, with dark basalt-capped mesas standing guard along Northshore Drive. It’s a textbook slice of Basin-and-Range geology on foot.
Wildlife & Care for the Place
Expect typical Mojave desert life: lizards, birds, and occasional bighorn sheep. Cryptobiotic soils and fragile sandstone features are easily damaged—stick to durable rock and washes, and pack out everything.
Logistics
- Trailhead: Northshore Summit Trailhead off Northshore Road.
- Facilities: Vault toilet at the trailhead; no potable water—bring all you need.
- Services: Very limited. Cell coverage is spotty; download maps/GPX beforehand.
- Access: This area is within Lake Mead National Recreation Area; entry fees/passes apply.
- Don’t confuse this with Valley of Fire State Park; the Bowl of Fire is separate and within the national recreation area.
Where it is
36.2264, -114.6700Tips for Upper Bowl of Fire
- 01Begin at Northshore Summit Trailhead; reach the viewpoint, then drop into the drainage.
- 02Download a GPX track in advance—cairns are intermittent and routes are unofficial.
- 03For the northern exit, stay on benches right of the drainage early to bypass dryfalls.
- 04Carry ample water and sun protection; there are no spigots or reliable shade.
- 05Choose an out-and-back if you want to minimize route-finding complexity.
Amenities
Near Upper Bowl of Fire
All places →All trails →
0 mi awayBowl of FireFiery Aztec sandstone playground reached by faint desert routesPullout · Scenic Viewpoint
2.2 mi awayAnniversary NarrowsPhotogenic slot canyon of swirling, colorful sandstoneTrailhead · Parking
2.2 mi awayAnniversary Narrows TrailA photogenic slot canyon stroll with mining relics and big desert viewsModerate · 7.3 mi · 3.5 hr
2.7 mi awayNorthshore Summit TrailShort, steep leg-stretcher with big Basin and Range viewsModerate · 1 mi · 45 min
2.7 mi awayBowl of Fire TrailVivid Aztec sandstone playground with solitude and light scramblingModerate · 9.2 mi · 6 hr
2.7 mi awayNorthshore Peak RouteShort ridge scramble to sweeping views of Lake Mead and Bowl of FireModerate · 2.6 mi · 2.5 hr
2.7 mi awayNorthshore SummitQuick ridge walk to big Bowl of Fire viewsTrailhead · Parking
3.5 mi awayHamblin MountainVolcanic summit with sweeping lake and badlands viewsScenic Viewpoint · Parking
