Las Vegas and Environs

[Peter De Smidt]

I'm planing at being at a judo tournament in Las Vegas in early June. I've never been there before. Does anyone have any suggestions for LF friendly photo opportunities in the general area?

[Joe O'Hara]

Sure, Peter. Red Rock Canyon is about 35 miles or so west of the city. There is a loop road through it (no special vehicle required) with many turnoffs. Many excellent hikes are available into the various canyons. As I recall the rangers hand you a brochure when you come in describing them. The only disadvantage is that (the last time I was there at least) it doesn't open until 8:30 AM. Apparently BLM employees don't like to get up early.

You'll want to carry plenty of water if you're going there in June, but it should be beautiful.

Also, a bit more of a drive is Valley of Fire State Park near Overton. It is much larger than RRC and I explored less of it, but no doubt there are many opportunities there as well. The entrance was unmanned when I went there so you may be able to start earlier if that is your preference. There is an honor system entrance fee but it is minimal.

[Peter De Smidt]

Thanks, Joe.

[Drew Wiley]

There are lots of interesting locations. The two mentioned aren't far and are accessible by paved roads. Valley of Fire, just like Redrocks is named for the color of the sandstone. But in June, both will be on fire and feel burning red. Afternoon temps in excess of 115F are entirely possible. North of Vegas there is a paved road up to the winter ski area. I believe these are called the Spring Mtns, maybe only 20 mi or so, and will get you high enough for some relief from the heat. But the topography is a little different up there.

[Keith Fleming]

I second Drew's recommendation for the Spring Mountains north of Las Vegas. During June some years ago, my wife and I were in Las Vegas for a Vietnam veterans' reunion. Being residents of the Pacific Northwest, we quickly tired of the heat and the sound of air conditioning. We rented a car and drove up to the ski area. Lots of trees and rugged terrain, but there were some nice views if you looked carefully. We were not equipped for hiking, so we two old-timers assured the rangers that we were not going to get ourselves in trouble requiring a rescue party.

Keith

[Leszek Vogt]

Peter, the coolest spot you'll find (besides casinos) around Vegas is near Mt Charleston....roughly 50 miles away....while the heat rages below. You may opt for a swim on the o'l Boulder Bch....if it still exists ? The water in L. Mead did go down something like 60 feet. I do recall (this is true), being stationed at Nellis, I had to drive to downtown after bfast. Anyway, on the way back I sort of slid my r. hand down the seat....and my fingers simply went through an apple (baked), that I left on the seat. Sure, the black seats didn't help, but perhaps it will illustrate (it blew me away) the heat that you could easily encounter.

Les

[John Kasaian]

You'll be in striking distance of the Virgin River canyon, about an hour or so N on I-15 across the border in AZ

[CharlesStclair]

I would love to visit Vegas too, never actually been there. Added it to my bucket list - enjoy a ride to Valley of Fire National Park, to see Las Vegas Motor Speedway and to try Vegas Indoor Skydiving.
And then I plan to share my architecture essay here (https://assignment.essayshark.com/architecture-help.html)

[Drew Wiley]

Well, if you want to document tacky disposable faux architecture on a grand scale, Vegas is sure the place to do it. I supplied quite a bit of specialty equipment to the substantial model-maker trade based there ("model" implying imitation either smaller or bigger in scale). Where else can you see stunning Venician marble columns clear to ceilings entirely brocaded with vast murals - all either wallpaper or paint less than a mm thick? Numerous 35mm photographers like to take stealth shots of neurotic one-armed bandit addicts, etc, if you can tolerate all the casino cigarette smoke. If you ask around, you can get really good meals remarkably cheap. Outdoors, the city can be miserably smoggy as well as hot. Wonderful scenic areas in the vicinity have already been mentioned. Even Zion NP is an easy drive, though it would be best to stay in that area a bit rather than attempt a day trip.

[John Layton]

Heading north through the labyrinth of Hoover Dam at night, with its art deco towers lit, majestic...then as you come up out of this you'll see Vegas in the distance...glittering like a jewel in the clear desert air. Breathtaking...until you begin to notice, as the road straightens to a perfect edge - that your speed inexplicably approaches - surpasses - 100mph...and that you are suddenly surrounded by other cars traveling with you...passing you...irrepressibly drawn...faster, faster - into the vortex that is Vegas. Sin City. That glitter in the distance? Definitely not gold!

[Drew Wiley]

If you stop at the dam, and have along a telephoto or pair of binoculars, look around the crags on the Arizona side. It's one of the few places where it's easy to spot desert bighorn sheep.

[jamesaz]

There may be photo opportunities in the downtown area as well, just not landscapes. It's older, the rents are cheaper and there are several galleries in that area. Possibly there are still some territorial buildings left. The Las Vegas urban area, other than the strip and downtown, seems to be miles of red tile roofed suburbs. It can be a fun place & though I haven't been in a few years, I'm sure that remains true.

[Willie]

If you are a photo gear type at all, visit a few pawn shops. Desperate gamblers pawn anything and everything. Have seen 8x10 cameras in some of them from time to time. All sorts of photo stuff on the shelves.

[Alan Klein]

I just got back from Las Vegas yesterday. MY wife and I visited the Red Rock Canyon. Light was flat during the day. Shot below. Visit Vegas itself which has great architectural shots and visit the famous fountain at the Bellagio Hotel on the Strip. From the street you can watch an amazing water fountain shows that sprays in beat with a song they do every 15 minutes, day and night. The pawn shops are in northern part of Las Vegas and we visited the famous one that had a show on TV.
198743

[Bob Salomon]

I just got back from Las Vegas yesterday. MY wife and I visited the Red Rock Canyon. Light was flat during the day. Shot below. Visit Vegas itself which has great architectural shots and visit the famous fountain at the Bellagio Hotel on the Strip. From the street you can watch an amazing water fountain shows that sprays in beat with a song they do every 15 minutes, day and night. The pawn shops are in northern part of Las Vegas and we visited the famous one that had a show on TV.
198743

Doesn’t the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop still have their show?

[William Whitaker]

The best part of Red Rock Canyon, I thought, were the wild burros. But I doubt they'd hold still for a sitting.
NE of Vegas, going up Hwy 93 toward Alamo is interesting. The landscape looks almost alien, which is appropriate. Turn left after Alamo onto Hwy 375 (the extraterrestrial highway) and revel in the desolation. Just don't go beyond the signs and you'll be fine (if you know what I mean!).
The desert has a beauty all its own.
Then there's the kitsch.
198747
From the other side of Vegas, take Hwy 95 up past Mercury and Rhyolite and you get to the town of Goldfield, which is a treasure trove of detail for the intrepid photographer.
Keep going and you get to Tonopah, which is another story in itself. Right, Jim?
On the way out of Vegas, enjoy more kitsch...
198748
But I just don't see schlepping around the Vegas strip with LF in the heat!

[Alan Klein]

Doesn’t the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop still have their show?

Don;t know. I might not get that channel any more. Which one was it on?

I think the guy on the left of the second shot is one of the owners from TV. Is he? Also, the first shot shows the degenerate gamblers hocking their jewelry for a few more dollars.