Nevada Photography and Travel Guide - Las Vegas Area
- Where to Stay: The Palazzo at the Venetian Resort is in a great location on The Strip, offers 5-Star service, and has excellent reviews from guests. Prices are as low as $110/night.
- Where to Eat: Top of the World has an excellent old-school Vegas menu, and with a location atop the Stratosphere tower, it also has the best views of the city.
- Must-See Attractions: For a wild ride, try the X-Scream Roller Coaster at the top of the Stratosphere tower.
- Check the weather in Las Vegas right now.
- Where to Stay: Since the canyon is so close to Las Vegas, you don't need different accommodations. However, if you'd rather be away from The Strip, the Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa is a top choice.
- Where to Eat: Bonnie Springs Ranch Restaurant is just south of the park and offers American food in a country-western style dining hall.
- Must-See Attractions: The 13-mile scenic drive through the park is a must, with pull-outs and trails along the way for you to get out and explore the area with your camera.
- Check the weather at Red Rock Canyon right now.
- Where to Stay: Again, Hoover Dam isn't all that far from Las Vegas, so you could stay in the same hotel on The Strip and make a day trip out of visiting the Dam. Another option is the Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort, which offers 4-star service and a spa.
- Where to Eat: If you like BBQ, it's tough to beat Fox Smokehouse BBQ in Boulder City.
- Must-See Attractions: The official tour of Hoover Dam is well worth your time.
- Check the weather at Hoover Dam right now.
If you're traveling to the Silver State with your camera in tow, don't leave before consulting this Nevada Photography and Travel Guide.
Though it would be virtually impossible to offer tips and hints for the all the best places to photograph in Nevada, we've got three top photography hot-spots you need to visit outlined below.
Additionally, we've taken the liberty of helping you with your planning by recommending places to stay, places to eat, and points of interest along the way.
All told, this guide gives you insights into beautiful photography spots from Las Vegas to Red Rock Canyon to Hoover Dam.
Let's get started!
What to Photograph in Nevada - The Strip
Though the glitz and glam of Las Vegas' Strip isn't for everyone, it's undeniable that there is a lot to photograph along the 4.2 miles of tarmac that runs through the heart of the city.
From bright neon lights to incredible architecture to dancing water features, there's no lack of subject matter for creating eye-catching photos.
Street photography opportunities abound as well, with millions of people from all corners of the globe trekking to Vegas each year to try their hand at lady luck.
Be sure to visit the Fremont Street Experience for eye-popping photos of neon lights, check out the outdoor sculptures at the Smith Center for opportunities for portraits set against interesting backdrops, and visit Eldorado Canyon for a little landscape photography and ghost town experience as well.
Planning Your Las Vegas Photography Trip
Red Rock Canyon is a Photographer's Dream
Just a few miles west of Las Vegas, the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is a must-see location for photographers.
With nearly 200,000 acres of wilderness within the Mojave Desert to explore, you have plenty of room to roam and subjects on which to train your camera.
The beautiful vistas, red rocks, and different flora and fauna will challenge your photography eye and inspire your creativity.
Note that taking photos for casual or personal use is fine and does not require a permit. However, if you're a professional photographer or videographer, you'll need to get a permit before conducting any work. There is a $15 per vehicle charge to enter the area.
Planning Your Red Rock Canyon Photography Trip
Photograph Nevada History at Hoover Dam
It's not that Hoover Dam is particularly beautiful or anything, but its sheer size and the story behind its construction makes it a top spot to photograph in Nevada.
Constructed between 1931 and 1936, the dam is nearly 730-feet high and cost $41 million to build (in 1931 money). Today, it would cost nearly $700 million to construct.
When photographing the dam, walk across the Memorial Bridge Walkway on Highway 111 for the best view of the dam. Another prime vantage point to consider is from the Arizona side just east of the spillway, which affords views of the back of the dam and the intake towers, which light up beautifully at night.
Planning Your Hoover Dam Photography Trip
This Nevada Photography and Travel Guide is Sponsored By:
Click Props Backdrops
Based in Las Vegas, Click Props Backdrops offers a wide selection of premium photography backdrops and floors.
Kat Armendariz of hushXpose owns the U.S. district for Click Props along with her husband Ephraim.
Their backdrops are constructed of heavy-duty vinyl yet are lightweight, wrinkle resistant, and easy to hang with either reinforced grommets along the top or by using a magnetic backdrop support system.
If you need gorgeous, easy-to-use backdrops, this is the place to find them!
Click here to learn more about Click Props Backdrops
SIRUI Tripods
SIRUI has built a solid reputation over the years for crafting precise, easy-to-use, feature-packed tripods for photographers of all types and experience levels.
No matter if you need a tripod for studio photography work, landscape photography, on-location portraits, travel photography, or something in between, SIRUI's extensive line of products will help you get the shots you need. Their tripods even come with a six-year warranty.
There's a reason why SIRUI is the choice of so many photographers - their tripods represent exceptional quality and value.
Learn more about SIRUI tripods
Acratech
From ball heads to quick-release clamps, video heads to camera and lens plates, Acratech crafts some of the highest-quality photography gear on the market today.
Acratech's family-run business is based in Pomona, California, where they use the finest materials and the highest-quality workmanship to manufacture their products.
If it's precision, durability, and affordability you're after, Acratech is it!
Columbia Sportswear
Whether you're exploring the desert southwest in the summer, the far reaches of Scandinavia in the winter, or points between, Columbia Sportswear has the gear you need to be comfortable on your photography adventures.
You can get outfitted from head to toe for any season with high-quality products from Columbia that show their dedication to providing adventurers of all types with the gear they need.
There's a reason why Columbia has been at it for 80 years - their gear is dependable, comfortable, and affordable too!
Kenko Filters
Kenko filters are precision-crafted with high-quality materials to give you the best photographic results.
Kenko offers a wide line of filters that includes circular polarizers, neutral density filters, and variable neutral density filters as well.
Their combination of quality and price makes Kenko filters a top choice for photographers of all kinds!
Learn more about Kenko filters like the Nyumon Circular Polarizing Filter shown above
Nomatic Luggage
For a fun weekend away in Nevada, you need a mid-sized bag that will accommodate all your clothes and other personal items while keeping them neatly organized. For that task, the Nomatic Carry-On Pro is an ideal choice.
With capacity for up to 28 liters of stuff, this roller bag is well-sized for a weekend trip. The magnetic compression straps keep your clothes right where you want them while the tech compartment makes for easy organization of your electronics. The removable tech compartment means you can grab your laptop when you need to do a little work without unpacking the entire bag.
Made of durable polycarbonate, this bag can stand up to the rough-and-tumble journeys you take in Nevada!