USA “The Professionals” Movie Set”

At the center of this photo are the remains of a movie set from an old western movie called “The Professionals” starring Burt Lancaster, Lee Marvin, Robert Ryan, and Claudia Cardinale. You have to be of a certain age to appreciate that cast but for people my age, that was an impressive cast. All that actually remains is a stone wall from a cabin. Park officials have recently installed a marker identifying the site. Continue a few yards further and turn to the right to get to a short (100 yards/meters?) but very photogenic slot canyon. Aside from the Hollywood curiosity, the desert landscape throughout Valley of Fire State Park is stunning.

Hiking down the moderately steep but short trail to the “movie set” allows for an interesting photo but I’ve found that the shelf on the left side of the trail can be easily gained and provides a unique perspective of the colorful surrounding sandstone waves.

From the Valley of Fire Visitor Center, drive 14 miles (22.5km) up the scenic drive (Mouse Tank Road) where it ends at the large White Domes parking area. There are picnic tables and vault toilets there. There’s a bit of deep sand near the beginning of the moderately steep but easy trail leading down to and beyond the ruins. Rather than returning the way you came, turn right at the bottom of the hill and follow the trail through a short slot canyon that opens and bends to the right to form a scenic loop back to the parking area for a total 1.1 mile/1.77 km stroll.