The former Mirage Volcano was known for its breathtaking eruptions.
Regrettably, The Mirage Volcano was shuttered on July 17, 2024, when the entire Mirage property ceased operations permanently to make way for its reincarnation as the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. In its place, the new owners, Hard Rock International, plan to build a guitar-shaped hotel tower as part of a $1.5 billion renovation project.
The legendary Mirage Volcano would breathe fire and smoke nightly!
The earth shook as flames and fireballs cascaded into the night sky. The Mirage Resort had been a free attraction since it opened in 1989. It was a mesmerizing volcano that left spectators in awe with its thunderous and fiery display. The volcano sat on a 3-acre water-covered area; it was 54 feet tall and circulated 119,000 gallons of water per minute. By spewing smoke and fire 100 feet above the waters below, it transformed a tranquil waterfall into spectacular streams of molten lava! The original show was set to a driving soundtrack from The Grateful Dead’s Mickey Hart and Indian tabla sensation Zakir Hussain.
For over 35 years, The Mirage Volcano was a renowned attraction of The Mirage Hotel Casino on the Strip. Designed by WET Design, the same company responsible for the Fountains of Bellagio, this man-made marvel was 54 feet in height and 100 feet in width. The volcano featured a lagoon, cascading waterfalls, and fireballs that shot up to a height of 12 feet.
The Start of Something Bigger The Mirage Volcano played a pivotal role in Steve Wynn’s $630 million project to develop The Mirage Hotel Casino. Wynn aimed to set The Mirage apart from other Strip hotels, and it became the first megaresort to grace the Las Vegas Strip. Its success triggered a construction frenzy in the 1990s, leading to the creation of numerous large resorts along the Strip.
Over the years, the Mirage Volcano was renovated several times. In 1996, new fire effects and sound systems were added. In 2008, it was significantly overhauled with fresh fire effects, water features, and an updated soundtrack. The volcano even had its share of stardom. It made appearances in several movies and TV shows, including “Vegas Vacation” and “Ocean’s Eleven.”
- Former Location: The Mirage Hotel & Casino (now the Hard Rock Las Vegas)
- Address: 3400 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
- Website: hardrockhotelcasinolasvegas.com
