Valley of Fire: Buena Vista CCC Cabins

Valley of Fire CCC Cabins Buena Vista Clark County Nevada NV ghost town Overton

Valley of Fire state park opened in 1934, named for the brilliant red colors at sunset. Although known for its beautiful rock formations and big horned sheep, the park has a wealth of history for visitors to explore, including CCC Cabins, petroglyphs, and the grave of a Civil War Veteran. But did you know there was a second set of cabins, the Buena Vista CCC Cabins?

What are the spiral shapes behind the cabins? And what “creative improvement” did the CCC men make?

Valley of Fire

In 1925, the federal government transferred 8,500 acres of land to Nevada Governor James Scrugham and the Nevada State Legislature to create a new park. They added an additional 27,000 acres in 1931.

Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada’s first state park, opened on Easter Sunday in 1934 but did not receive legal status until 1935, as the Nevada legislature convenes every other year.

Valley of Fire CCC Cabins

The CCC cabins were one of the park’s earlier improvements in 1933. They provided a place for visitors and motorists to spend the night on the Arrowhead Trail. The cabins were constructed of local sandstone, approximately 10′ x 10′, each with a unique fireplace. A stove was available outside for meal preparation.

CCC Cabins valley of Fire — *Construction of cabins c. 1933*
*(Photo credit:* Nevada State Parks)

Buena Vista CCC Cabins

The Valley of Fire CCC Cabins are one of the most photographed sites at the park. But, few photos of the Buena Vista CCC Cabins exist. Little is known about the second set of cabins perched on a hilltop. They were built in 1934-1935. Facilities included a two-room cabin, cooking facilities, picnic shelter and tables, restrooms and a fire pit.

Within the park boundaries, they are now only accessible from outside the park and require 4-wheel drive high clearance.

Cabins

Buena Vista consists of a duplex of cabins. Each has a private entrance and a corner fireplace with a combined chimney.

Cooking facilities & gathering place

Unlike the other cabins, the cooking facilities are separate from the cabins.

Restrooms

Behind the cabin were two spiral structures. We debated their purpose, cooking, or a maze. Each was a mirror layout opening to the outside. Walking around, it hit me: where were the restroom facilities? Leave it to the one female to wonder about bathrooms!

Once we looked closely, we found the spirals were faintly marked men and women.

Near the ground, etched in the mortar of the women’s restroom, was a teepee and “Sitting Bull.” Can you imagine the laughs a group of 20-something-year-old men must have had over their creative improvement?