Are you looking for the perfect photo spots in Las Vegas? Maybe you're looking for the ideal location for your engagement photos, family photos, maternity photos or even your senior photos.

Finding locations in or around Las Vegas can be difficult, especially if you're not familiar with the area. I have listed many popular locations below, as well as some lesser known locations.

Important Things To Know

• Shooting inside most casinos IS NOT allowed!! Unless you are planing to shoot inside your hotel room, photography is NOT allowed. Please understand that casinos are private property, therefore you should respect their rules.  Don't be surprised if security asks you to leave or even trespasses you!
• Please pick up or clean up after yourself when going out into nature, or any location for that matter! Many locations throughout Las Vegas require a permit. Too many people, including photographers and their clients, are leaving trash and messes and therefore more and more locations are beginning to charge permit fees to shoot there!
• I am listing as much information about the locations that I can provide; my knowledge, permit fees, etc. However, these are subject to change and I can not guarantee this is the most current or up to date information. I highly recommend reaching out to the location of your choice, prior to your photoshoot. Park Rangers enforce the permit rules and a citation can be VERY expensive, should you get caught without a permit!

1.  Valley of Fire State Park

Valley of Fire is located approximately 1 - 1.5hrs outside of Las Vegas. World-renowned for its 40,000 acres of bright red Aztec sandstone outcrops nestled in gray and tan limestone, Valley of Fire State Park contains ancient, petrified trees and petroglyphs dating back more than 2,000 years. 

A Photography Permit is $50 for the day or $500 for an annual pass. Liability insurance is required in order to obtain a permit.  The permits are not issued quickly, usually it takes 30 days for approval, so plan accordingly.  A phone call to the Rangers will provide you with where you can and can't take photos.  This is a Las Vegas Photographers' favorite spot for sure!

Entrance to the park is $10 per vehicle. The only restrooms are located at the visitor's center.  The best times to shoot are either at sunrise or sunset, as the harsh sunlight washes out the colors of the rock, during the day.

2. Red Rock Canyon

Red Rock Canyon includes 26 trails to hike and explore and a 13 mile loop for driving. The visitor's center is located just inside the park and should be your very first stop, if not to obtain a map or learn about the park itself. The park hours change with the seasons, so be sure to check prior to heading out.

Park entrance fees are $20 per vehicle, unless you have the America Beautiful Pass, then your entrance is free. 

Photography permits are REQUIRED and this is highly enforced. The base cost for a photography permit is $220 and 3% gross or $110, whichever is higher. Permits take up to 30 days for approval, so plan accordingly.  Please call (702) 515-5381, or (702) 515-5000, to start the photography permit application and to find out permit costs.

3. Calico Basin

This in-and-out trail leads visitors along the base of the colorful Calico Hills. Look for sport climbers on the rock walls and plenty of birds hovering in the sky. Ash trees line where the seasonal Calico Spring runs, adding greenery to the landscape.

Calico Basin is located to the west of Red Rock Canyon. There are walkways; please stay on the walkways! Venturing off into the grassy meadow is frowned upon and can get you a citation from the park rangers. There are wooden fences and a beautiful mountain backdrop.

Since Calico Basin is part of Red Rock Canyon, the same rules apply.  There are no entrance fees and parking is limited, as are the restroom facilities. 

Photography permits are REQUIRED and this is highly enforced. The base cost for a photography permit is $220 and 3% gross or $110, whichever is higher. Permits take up to 30 days for approval, so plan accordingly.  Please call (702) 515-5381, or (702) 515-5000, to start the photography permit application and to find out permit costs.

4. Spring Mountain Ranch State Park

Sprawling and splendid, Spring Mountain Ranch State Park is adjacent to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and has been used historically as a working ranch and a luxury retreat by a string of colorful owners, including German actress Vera Krupp and millionaire Howard Hughes. Today visitors can explore some of the oldest buildings in Nevada, a 1860s blacksmith shop, the Sandstone Cabin that was home to the founding family and the ranch house. Hiking trails throughout the park, in addition to tree-shaded picnic sites with tables and grills, make day trips to the park a family favorite. And, every year Super Summer Theatre offers a variety of outdoor shows to enjoy.

Spring Mountain Ranch is located approximately 20 minutes west of Las Vegas, off the Charleston/Blue Diamond Loop. 

A Photography Permit is $50 for the day or $500 for an annual pass. Liability insurance is required in order to obtain a permit.  The permits are not issued quickly, usually it takes 30 days for approval, so plan accordingly.  A phone call to the Rangers will provide you with where you can and can't take photos.  This is a Las Vegas Photographers' favorite spot for sure!

Entrance to the park is $10 per vehicle. The only restrooms are located near the grassy meadow.  The best times to shoot are either at sunrise or sunset, especially if you want to capture the beautiful mountain backdrops. 

The park hours change with the seasons, so be sure to check prior to heading out.

5. Eldorado Dry Lake Bed

There are multiple dry lake beds in the Las Vegas area. The most popular one is the Eldorado Dy Lake Bed, located south of Las Vegas, or west of Boulder City (South East of Las Vegas). The lands are monitored by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). These areas flood with rain and will keep standing water for a couple of days after the storm. 4x4 vehicles are not necessary, but again beware of the mud. A tow out of the mud can be quite costly.

If you plan to shoot out there, I highly recommend meeting at Railroad Pass Casino or a local gas station in Boulder City. This is a very popular location for photographers and off road enthusiasts, so don't be surprised to see motorcycles, quads or sand rails. 

There are no restroom facilities at all out there, so be prepared! The area closes occasionally due to races and/or other special events. Parking is free and most vehicles are able to access the area. Strong winds are somewhat typical in this area.

6. Corn Creek Desert National Wildlife Refuge

The Desert National Wildlife Refuge was established May 20, 1936, and encompasses 1.5 million acres of the diverse Mojave Desert in southern Nevada. It is the largest National Wildlife Refuge in the lower 48 states. The Refuge contains six major mountain ranges, the highest rising from 2,500-foot valleys to nearly 10,000 feet. Annual rainfall ranges from less than four inches on the valley floors to over fifteen inches on the highest peaks.

The park is most active during the night as the days are often entirely too hot. Most people go hiking or take in the wildlife. Camping is also available and is currently fee-free. 

Photography Permits are yearly for $150. Contact Amy for more information amy_sprunger@fws.gov

7. Clark County Wetlands Preserve 

Clark County Wetlands Park spans 2,900 acres on the eastern edge of the Las Vegas Valley. With a 210-acre Nature Preserve and five Trailheads, the Park provides recreation opportunities and wildlife habitat as well as an outdoor classroom for scientific studies and educational programs for all ages. The Wetlands Park Nature Center offers a wide variety of programs to the public, including walks led by Certified Interpretive Guides, art, children’s programs, and group and individual volunteer opportunities. It is located near Tropicana and Boulder Highway.

Expect plenty of bugs in the summertime!! Especially Mosquitos!!

There are several different trails for you to access and explore while you are at the Wetlands nature preserve. There is also a visitor center there as well, with restroom facilities. Dogs are not allowed.

There is no fee for parking, but they do require a permit for photography. The film permit is $45.

8. Clark County Wetlands Trail (Dogs Welcome)

Leashed pets are allowed at the following Park Trailheads: Duck Creek Trails, and the Wetlands Loop Trail.

There is no fee for parking, but they do require a permit for photography. The film permit is $45.