Going to Las Vegas for Landscape Photography

Some people love it, and some people hate it. What am I talking about? Las Vegas.

I should know—I’ve been there many times over the past 16 years for conventions and while working at Photoshop World. Las Vegas offers plenty of opportunities for travel photographers within the city itself, beyond the occasional hangover or lack of sleep. However, what many people don't realize is that some of the most spectacular natural landscapes in the American Southwest are just a few hours away. With a little planning, you can return home with incredible landscape photographs in addition to your Vegas memories.

Within a few hours of Las Vegas, you'll find several outstanding national and state parks, along with iconic photography locations such as Horseshoe Bend in Page, Arizona. Let's take a look at some of the best destinations for a Las Vegas landscape photography adventure.

Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park is the closest national park to Las Vegas, located about two and a half hours away. It is also one of the hottest places on Earth, with summer temperatures often exceeding 120°F, making it a much better destination during the cooler months.

Some of my favorite locations to photograph include Badwater Basin, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Zabriskie Point, and the mysterious Racetrack Playa. Most of the park is easily accessible by paved roads, but reaching the Racetrack is another story. The road leading there is one of the roughest I've ever driven. On one trip, we blew two tires before even reaching the destination.

Zion National Park

Located a little over three hours from Las Vegas, Zion National Park is one of the most spectacular parks in the country.

For adventurous photographers, the hike to Angels Landing offers breathtaking views of the canyon below, although the final section is not for the faint of heart. Another unforgettable experience is hiking The Narrows, where you'll spend much of the journey walking through the Virgin River while towering canyon walls rise hundreds of feet above you.

If you're lucky, you may also spot the bighorn sheep that call Zion home.

Bryce Canyon National Park

If you've already made the trip to Zion, Bryce Canyon National Park is only about an hour farther and is one of my favorite places to photograph.

Arriving at Bryce Point before sunrise rewards you with incredible views of the famous amphitheater filled with thousands of hoodoos—towering rock spires sculpted by wind, water, and time. Hiking among these formations provides endless photographic opportunities and unique perspectives.

Page, Arizona

Page is home to three must-photograph locations: Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, and Antelope Canyon.

Antelope Canyon is divided into Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, each operated by different Native American tour companies. Upper Antelope Canyon is known for its famous light beams, where guides throw sand into the air to accentuate the shafts of sunlight. Personally, I've found Lower Antelope Canyon to be particularly photographer-friendly, and I've come away with some of my favorite images there.

Horseshoe Bend belongs on every photographer's bucket list. I've photographed it many times and never get tired of the view. Be careful near the edge—there are no guardrails and the drop is over 1,000 feet. To capture the classic composition, your tripod may need to be positioned surprisingly close to the rim.

The best light is usually before sunrise or after sunset, when the contrast is less severe and the canyon reveals more detail.

If time permits, the areas surrounding Lake Powell offer additional opportunities for both landscape and travel photography.

Grand Canyon National Park

You'll see advertisements throughout Las Vegas promoting tours to the Grand Canyon's South Rim. Surprisingly, I still haven't photographed that side of the canyon.

I have, however, photographed the North Rim while returning to Las Vegas from Page, Arizona. The scale and beauty of the canyon are difficult to comprehend until you're standing there. It's a destination I look forward to exploring more extensively in the future.

Monument Valley

Monument Valley may be a bit of a stretch from Las Vegas, but I've made the trip before and found it well worth the effort.

You can either hire a local guide or drive the scenic route yourself. If you choose to drive, a high-clearance vehicle is highly recommended, as some sections of the road can be rough. The iconic sandstone buttes and mesas make Monument Valley one of the most recognizable landscapes in the American West.

Red Rock Canyon

Only 30 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is an easy and rewarding side trip.

The 13-mile scenic drive showcases dramatic red sandstone formations, the Keystone Thrust Fault, Native American petroglyphs, and numerous overlooks that provide excellent photographic opportunities.

Valley of Fire State Park

Located about an hour from Las Vegas, Valley of Fire State Park gets its name from its brilliant red sandstone formations.

The park contains ancient petroglyphs dating back more than 2,000 years and offers some of the most vibrant desert landscapes in the Southwest. If you're fortunate enough to experience a colorful sunset here, you'll immediately understand how the park earned its name.

Hoover Dam

You may no longer be able to drive directly across Hoover Dam, but it's still an impressive engineering marvel and well worth a visit.

If you're short on time and can only venture a short distance from Las Vegas, Hoover Dam provides excellent photographic opportunities from several viewpoints. You can also take a tour inside the dam itself—a fascinating experience for anyone interested in engineering and history.

Nelson Ghost Town

Nelson was once one of Nevada's most productive gold- and silver-mining communities. Today, it serves as both a historic attraction and a filming location for numerous movies and television productions.

The family that operates the property has restored many of the original buildings, creating endless opportunities for photography. You'll find vintage vehicles, weathered structures, mining relics, and fascinating details around every corner.

One word of advice: watch out for the jumping cholla cactus. Trust me—I learned that lesson the hard way.

Final Thoughts

The next time you're planning a trip to Las Vegas, consider adding a few extra days for a photographic adventure. Whether you're interested in dramatic landscapes, historic locations, or unique desert scenery, the Southwest offers an incredible variety of subjects within a few hours of the city.

You'll return home with amazing photographs, unforgettable memories, and hopefully a little more money than you left on the casino floor.