Going to Vegas for Christmas, Is the Valley of Fire worth a day trip?

[bob williams]

I went to Vegas a few years back. I spent most of my time playing street photographer. Vegas is king when it comes to finding strange things to shoot on the street.

Funny you should say that HD, Since I don't game much, I selected Treasure Island as our Hotel since it has this cool little indoor/outdoor restuarant and bar that over looks the water feature and the strip. I am hoping the weather will permit me to sit outside for a little while with my camera and catch some of the people activity. I also do a lot of walking up and down the strip and plan to take my camera along whenever possible (disguised of course)


Bob

[erno james]

Hey Bob, if you love doing landscape photography, I highly recommend Valley of Fire State Park. I've only been there once and spent a half day there but to me the photo opps seem endless. I use Flickr a lot when planning photo trips, so do a search for "Fire Cave" or "Wind Cave" and the increasingly popular "Fire Wave." Here's a couple from my day trip from Vegas...

[img]Road Trippin' by ernogy, on Flickr[/img]

[img]
Valley of Fire, Midday Wave by ernogy, on Flickr[/img]

[img]
Fire Cave in Valley of Fire State Park, NV by ernogy, on Flickr[/img]

[bob williams]

Hey Bob, if you love doing landscape photography, I highly recommend Valley of Fire State Park. I've only been there once and spent a half day there but to me the photo opps seem endless. I use Flickr a lot when planning photo trips, so do a search for "Fire Cave" or "Wind Cave" and the increasingly popular "Fire Wave." Here's a couple from my day trip from Vegas...

Great shots James. Shots like this is what motivated me to consider Valley of Fire--Thanks for the titles and tips to search Flicker. The area titles also help in planning, I can now find these areas on a map and plan for arrival during good lighting.


Thanks, Bob

[acmojica]

I've lived in Vegas since 1990 and have never been to Valley of Fire...crazy, I know. Anyways, here are some tips/highlights:

- If you want to travel light, borrowlenses.com has a Las Vegas pickup site: http://www.borrowlenses.com/page/sfbaylocations#nevada

- If you forgot something at home or need a camera shop, there's B&C Camera (http://store.bandccamera.com/) and Casey's Cameras (http://www.caseyscamera.com/).

- Like others said, Red Rock is beautiful and very easily accessible. It won't take up an entire day either. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/acmojica/8269619661/)

- In addition to the Bellagio fountains be sure to stop by inside and visit their conservatory, they'll have a holiday theme set up (from their Spring theme: http://www.flickr.com/photos/acmojic...57625733080446)

- Also while in Bellagio, check out Jeff Mitchum's gallery. His landscape photography is great, and the stories behind it are just as strong as his images. (Link: https://www.bellagio.com/shopping/jeff-mitchum.aspx)

- Walking around City Center is pretty cool. The newest properties on the Strip are there, and there are is some cool architecture to see. http://www.flickr.com/photos/acmojic...57625733080446

[bob williams]

@HD, Thanks--I hadn't thought much about that.

@ acmojica--Great tips, I will definitely check out the camera shops, we don't have any good ones around here.