Storms close Valley of Fire campgrounds

Tuesday, July 28, 1998 | 10:54 a.m.

Recent storms have closed two campgrounds and one road at the Valley of Fire State Park.

Heavy flooding washed out roads, flooded bathrooms and filled them with mud, caused electrical problems and washed out water lines, Parks Supervisor Gary Rimbey said.

"All the roads have big cuts through them or they are entirely gone," he said.

Heavy rains during last week's storms dumped 3 1/2 inches of water on the park. The campgrounds were closed Wednesday morning.

Rimbey, who has been parks supervisor for 12 years, said he has never seen such flooding in that area and does not know when the campgrounds will be reopened, nor how much it will cost to fix them.

Visitors can still take advantage of the park's other amenities, such as hiking and picnicking. Rimbey said even though the campgrounds are not usable, it is not stopping people from visiting the area located about 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas.

"Luckily the flood occurred in a slower time of the year," he said. "During this time of year it isn't affecting us too much. During the summer we see an average of five or six campers a night."

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