Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 15

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

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1
    Senior Member bob williams's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Central New Mexico
    Posts
    1,983

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

    My wife and I will be spending 5 days in Las Vegas, NV over the holidays. Since I am not much of a gambler, I am looking for places to go to do some shooting. One of the places that peeked my interest was the Valley of Fire State Park. It's only 50 miles away from Vegas and I was hoping someone could offer an opinion and perhaps some good locations to start. I would also be interested in other scenic areas that are a short drive from Vegas.

    Any input or advice is appreciated.

    Bob
    Bob

  2. #2
    Super Moderator Kayaker72's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    New Hampshire, USA
    Posts
    5,582
    Bob,

    I went to Vegas a few years ago and was amazed at how much was in close proximity. My wife was going to a conference and I was doing stuff during the days. I never did Valley of Fire, but it did look good. But one day, I dropped my wife off at 8 am, drove to Death Valley and was back to pick her up at 5 pm. But Zion NP is 2.5 hrs away, Furnance Creek Ranch and Badwater (lowest point) in Death Valley are both ~2 hrs away, then Red Rocks and Hoover Dam are both 30-40 minutes away. I day tripped all four while my wife was at her conference. Granted, I would love more time at Zion, Death Valley and Red Rocks, but I've seen them.

    BTW, I am not much of a gambler either (only powerball when it is over $300 mil), but, if you've never been, the shows, strip (Bellagio, etc) and a few buffets (Paris) are impressive.

    Have a good trip and Merry Christmas,
    Brant

  3. #3
    Senior Member bob williams's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Central New Mexico
    Posts
    1,983
    Quote Originally Posted by Kayaker72 View Post
    Bob,

    BTW, I am not much of a gambler either (only powerball when it is over $300 mil), but, if you've never been, the shows, strip (Bellagio, etc) and a few buffets (Paris) are impressive.

    Have a good trip and Merry Christmas,
    Brant
    Thanks Brant, great tips. As far as Vegas itself goes, I have been there a few times, but this is the first time my wife has been, so I'm not sure how much time I will have to shoot. One thing for sure, I really want to get a good night shot of the Bellagio Founatin and of course a decent shot of the strip at night. Everything else is iceing on the cake. I'll look into those other places you mentioned.

    Thanks again,

    Bob
    Bob

  4. #4
    Senior Member bob williams's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Central New Mexico
    Posts
    1,983
    Thanks to all for the great tips, Perhaps you would also be willing to offer suggestions for gear? At the moment I plan on taking the following:

    7D and my Wifes 400D/XTI
    50 1.2 L
    Polarizer filters
    10-22
    28-135 (wife's camera)
    100-400
    100 gig worth of CF Cards
    Backup Drive
    Laptop
    Flash
    Tripod
    Mono-pod
    Batteries
    cleaning supplies

    At the moment I am choosing not to bring my 500L or 100L primarily because of space limitations, but I also don't expect to spend any time shooting wildlife. I am using this trip for landscape, HDR, some street stuff and some night shots---All of which I desperately need to practice on.

    Any other suggestions or comments?


    Thanks,


    Bob
    Bob

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Planet Earth
    Posts
    3,110
    Quote Originally Posted by bob williams View Post
    At the moment I am choosing not to bring my 500L or 100L primarily because of space limitations, but I also don't expect to spend any time shooting wildlife. I am using this trip for landscape, HDR, some street stuff and some night shots---All of which I desperately need to practice on.
    Bob, if you go for the walk I suggest downtown to the old casinos. Especially late evening when they start the overhead light show. You will find street life everywhere.

    Now the 500mm L. The first time I went to Vegas in the 80's we drove. About 20 miles south out of town on the side of an outcropping of rocks we spotted big horn sheep. It might take some research, but there may be some wildlife opportunity.
    Last edited by HDNitehawk; 12-13-2012 at 03:00 PM.

  6. #6
    Senior Member EricPvpi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Annapolis, MD
    Posts
    116
    Its a little bit further out (2 hr 45 minutes) but I recently did a side trip from Vegas to Zion and it was spectacular. Some pictures are posted here.
    http://community.the-digital-picture...ead.php?t=6777

    I haven't been to Valley of Fire. You also have Red Rock Canyon close by. If you look at some of the various tours that run out of Vegas (Pink Jeep Tours, etc) they might give an ideas of where to go. I probably wouldn't recommend a tour since they won't give much time for photos, but you can get some ideas on what is close.

    Next year I would like to head to Bryce and Grand Staircase.

  7. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    East Central Illinois
    Posts
    850
    Red Rock Canyon is a must and a very easy trip. You don't even need a full day. Death valley is also worth the journey, although our visit there only made me wish I had booked a room at the inn there so I could have more time.

    Valley of Fire is a very cool place. I couldn't stop taking pics and I still didn't get all I wanted. I was driving my wife crazy pulling over every 100 yds or so for another shot. If you go, bring lunch. There is no place at all to get food there. If you come in from the highway side and drive all the way through, there is a small town a few miles north of the back entrance where there is a McD's, but it's not what you'd call close. Stop at a sub shop in Vegas and bring a sandwich and soda. The backroads back to Vegas from the back entrance are also very scenic. You might give them a shot if you have a GPS or a decent with maps.

    Here's a pano of the first thing you see when you drive into the park. Click for the full image.

    Last edited by M_Six; 12-13-2012 at 03:24 AM.
    Mark - Flickr
    ************************

  8. #8
    Senior Member bob williams's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Central New Mexico
    Posts
    1,983
    Quote Originally Posted by M_Six View Post
    Red Rock Canyon is a must and a very easy trip. You don't even need a full day. Death valley is also worth the journey, although our visit there only made me wish I had booked a room at the inn there so I could have more time.
    Thanks Mark, Cool Pano. and thanks for the reminder about taking a lunch (important stuff) and for Red Rock and Valley of Fire confirmations--Looks like both are definitely on my schedule.
    Bob

  9. #9
    Senior Member bob williams's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Central New Mexico
    Posts
    1,983
    Quote Originally Posted by EricPvpi View Post
    Its a little bit further out (2 hr 45 minutes) but I recently did a side trip from Vegas to Zion and it was spectacular. Some pictures are posted here.
    http://community.the-digital-picture...ead.php?t=6777

    I haven't been to Valley of Fire. You also have Red Rock Canyon close by. If you look at some of the various tours that run out of Vegas (Pink Jeep Tours, etc) they might give an ideas of where to go. I probably wouldn't recommend a tour since they won't give much time for photos, but you can get some ideas on what is close.

    Next year I would like to head to Bryce and Grand Staircase.
    Thanks Eric, Red Rock is definately on my list to work in to the schedule. BTW----Nice series of shots.

    Thanks for the motivation and suggestions,

    Bob
    Bob

  10. #10
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Planet Earth
    Posts
    3,110
    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.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •