Which photographic side trip outside Las Vegas? In November we will be in Las Vegas and want to decide which photographic side trip to make... Valley of Fire or Red Rock Canyon? Which...

hj Loc: Florida

In November we will be in Las Vegas and want to decide which photographic side trip to make... Valley of Fire or Red Rock Canyon? Which offers the biggest punch?

bedouin Loc: Big Bend area, Texas

See them both

fourg1b2006 Loc: Long Island New York

I agree.

RGreenway Loc: Morristown, New Jersey

I agree that both are well worth seeing and photographing, but if you can only see one, I would vote for Valley of Fire! Much more "fire" than red rocks, nice short hikes to good photographic subjects. Red Rock Canyon is also good and a shorter drive from Vegas, but Valley of Fire would be my choice! Late afternoon is wonderful!

hj Loc: Florida

They are both in opposite directions and time may be a deciding element. Thanks, RGreenway for your comments as that is the kind of recommendation I was hoping for.

RGreenway wrote:

I agree that both are well worth seeing and photographing, but if you can only see one, I would vote for Valley of Fire! Much more "fire" than red rocks, nice short hikes to good photographic subjects. Red Rock Canyon is also good and a shorter drive from Vegas, but Valley of Fire would be my choice! Late afternoon is wonderful!

Clemens Loc: Maryland

Agree with Greenway. I have been numerous times to both but Valley of Fire does it.
Very early or late is the best time. They will kick you out of the park however after sunset.

mrpentaxk5ii

hj wrote:

In November we will be in Las Vegas and want to decide which photographic side trip to make... Valley of Fire or Red Rock Canyon? Which offers the biggest punch?

You can take an all day bus trip to the Grand Canyon and another trip to the Hoover dam, both are worth seeing if you have the time.

Tjohn Loc: Inverness, FL formerly Arivaca, AZ

Valley of Fire has more diversity of subjects but Red Rock Canyon can be magical in storms and other bad weather.

Note, Zion and Death Valley are not too far either.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

hj wrote:

In November we will be in Las Vegas and want to decide which photographic side trip to make... Valley of Fire or Red Rock Canyon? Which offers the biggest punch?

Gather as much information as you can about both locations. Then you decide where you want to go.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Both.

Fergus Loc: Westfield,IN

Red Rocks are certainly worth a day. I went nuts with my 70-300.

anotherview Loc: California

Been to both. I'd go with Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. But you have to ask yourself what kind of photographs you prefer.
Then I suggest you go online to review photographs from both locations, to help you decide.

Valley of Fire State Park lies some distance from Las Vegas. It'd present more like a day trip.

RRCNCA lies just west of LV, and you could fit a jaunt to it into a morning or afternoon.

My bias: RRCNCA offers the more dramatic land formations.

Enjoy whichever place you visit.

hj wrote:

In November we will be in Las Vegas and want to decide which photographic side trip to make... Valley of Fire or Red Rock Canyon? Which offers the biggest punch?

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

hj wrote:

In November we will be in Las Vegas and want to decide which photographic side trip to make... Valley of Fire or Red Rock Canyon? Which offers the biggest punch?

Also, be sure to photo the Hoover Dam and lake. The dam, nestled in the canyon is impressive and you can easily get shots of the water on one side and the valley on the other. There is a very impressive bridge just above and to the side of the dam. Its about 38 miles to the south east of Las Vegas. (decent day trip). Amazingly, as baron as the area around Vegas is, there is lots to see. And Lake Mead (Hoover Dam) is just one of the sights.

MarcH Loc: Doylestown Pa

Zion is worth the ride

anotherview Loc: California

Been there, too. This site offers interesting views. You may wish to take the dam tour. You will see the massive power generators and other notable sights from this iconic structure.

dcampbell52 wrote:

Also, be sure to photo the Hoover Dam and lake. The dam, nestled in the canyon is impressive and you can easily get shots of the water on one side and the valley on the other. There is a very impressive bridge just above and to the side of the dam. Its about 38 miles to the south east of Las Vegas. (decent day trip). Amazingly, as baron as the area around Vegas is, there is lots to see. And Lake Mead (Hoover Dam) is just one of the sights.