Hi all,

I'll be in Las Vegas in early May, and will normally have one spare day.

I plan to visit Red Rock Canyon (Would like to make it to Grand Canyon, but it seems too remote for a one day trip) and am looking for advice.

Basically, how easy is it for a pedestrian to go there from Vegas, and how convenient would it be visiting without a car ?

I think there must be buses and tours to Red Rock, but it's really set up for visiting by car, particularly if you want to follow some of the trails and stop and make photographs. If you feel comfortable renting a car and driving in a foreign country, it's fairly easy to drive in that area. There's not a lot of traffic.

There are coach day trips, I did one a few years ago which included a stop at Hoover Dam, then a couple of stops along the canyon rim. Only an hour or two at the canyon, but the scenery was spectacular along the way and there were several other brief stops to get out stretch the legs and take a few photos.

Ian

I rented a car while on a trip to Las Vegas and had a wonderful day visiting Hoover Dam. I drove the north shore of lake Mead and entered the Valley of Fire State park from the back side. Full day but plenty of time to take tons of pictures and to hike a few trails in the Valley of Fire. Be sure to take your polarizing filter to get good shots of the petroglyphs.

Bill

I rented a car while on a trip to Las Vegas and had a wonderful day visiting Hoover Dam. I drove the north shore of lake Mead and entered the Valley of Fire State park from the back side. Full day but plenty of time to take tons of pictures and to hike a few trails in the Valley of Fire. Be sure to take your polarizing filter to get good shots of the petroglyphs.

That's exactly what I did the first time I went to LV. My wife was in a conference and I rented a car right in the Hotel. Valley of Fire is great, a must see, arches, red rock, a landscape of unbelievable variety.

Curt

I was at Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire last month. You really need to rent a car for either if you want to do your own thing. Lots of hiking opportunities at both. Bring water, snacks, and good walking shoes.

Eric

Thanks for your advices.

Things look very good, since I've been offered a ride by one of the (very numerous) nice person from APUG.

So I'm planning to bring my Tachihara view camera, instead of the more compact EOS3. (Might get them both, but I have to find a way to pack this ;-) )

APUG is REALLY a great place !