[ClarkKent22]

Red Rock is my favorite local hotel but probably too pricey. Check Suncoast as well as it's close to Red Rock. Vallry of Fire should be first on the list through as people have said, and then Zion/Bryce, Red Rock. Mt. Charleston is great for hiking and much cooler than the valley, but not as interesting for taking pictures.

[lvoc]

Originally Posted by ScoopLV

Let me agree with everyone about Valley of Fire. I'm going there today to take pictures. A great day would be to drive Lake Mead Blvd to Valley of Fire (the back route, not I-15). Then after driving one-way through Valley of Fire, take I-15 South and head to Mt. Charleston/Cold Creek, and then drive down I-15 to the Jean exit, and head to Goodsprings to cap the day off at the Pioneer.

Mt. Zion is my favorite place in Utah (and that's saying something). Bryce Canyon is also close enough to be a day trip from Las Vegas. I enjoy the stark rugged vistas of Death Valley. But not in June.

I'd stay at Eastside Cannery because it's cheap and close to US-95, which gets you up and running.

I would think you mean 15 south to the 215 west to 95 N to Mt Charleston etc. Then 95 to 15 to Jean.

[jlawrence01]

If you are looking for an inexpensive trip to Las Vegas, plan your trip from Sunday - Thursday. In addition to lower hotel rates, you can also take advantage of the smaller crowds at all of the attractions.

Your best bets are the Station and the Coast properties as they are always offering deals. Also, the older Caesar properties like The Quad and Harrah's are also cheap during the week, Parking is free at all properties. Make sure you understand all fees before booking. It also helps if you have one of the casino rewards cards.

This is NOT the time of the year for long hikes out in the various wilderness areas. It gets very hot from May - September. I prefer to hike Southern Nevada in the winter months.

There are a lot of other great places to photograph in the area including:

The Hoover Dam at sunset
Kelso Station in the Mojave Desert NP
Kelso Dunes
Cinder Domes and Lava Flow In the Mojave Desert NP

[Clarkcty]

Holiday Inn Express in Spring Valley is in a decent location near the 215 Beltway, surrounded by shops and restaurants. If you like to head on out to Red Rock Canyon or Lake Mead/Boulder City just take the 215 Beltway.

Photos of Holiday Inn Express & Suites Las Vegas I-215 S. Beltway in Las Vegas, Nevada

[johninvegas]

For June hiking and photos I would suggest Zion and Mt. Charleston. Red Rock might be doable early in the morning, particularly Ice Box Canyon, but many other places will be just too hot to do any hiking. Now, if you are driving around and just stepping out of your car to take photos, then anywhere would be okay.

I would caution against Gold Strike Canyon in June or any other summer month. Today is is supposed to be 105 for a high. Our lows only get down to around 80 when temps are hitting the 100s. In the canyons it can be 10-20 degrees hotter than Las Vegas.

Be sure to carry enough water (preferably a Camelback since one bottle of water is definitely not enough), whether you are hiking or not. You don't want to be out in the desert in the summer without enough water to drink. Figure 1-2 gallons a day per person.

Oh, one other thing, a great place to get photos of Desert Bighorn Sheep is Hemenway Park in Boulder City. The sheep are wild, but they come down to the park from the surrounding mountains to eat the grass.

[GaLineman]

Originally Posted by FML157

Green Valley Ranch and Red Rock Station are both off the strip and usually have reasonable rates during mid week and/or on non-busy weekends.

Thanks. Looks like Red Rock is just perfect. That is where I am going. The pics look beautiful!

[GaLineman]

Originally Posted by johninvegas

For June hiking and photos I would suggest Zion and Mt. Charleston. Red Rock might be doable early in the morning, particularly Ice Box Canyon, but many other places will be just too hot to do any hiking. Now, if you are driving around and just stepping out of your car to take photos, then anywhere would be okay.

I would caution against Gold Strike Canyon in June or any other summer month. Today is is supposed to be 105 for a high. Our lows only get down to around 80 when temps are hitting the 100s. In the canyons it can be 10-20 degrees hotter than Las Vegas.

Be sure to carry enough water (preferably a Camelback since one bottle of water is definitely not enough), whether you are hiking or not. You don't want to be out in the desert in the summer without enough water to drink. Figure 1-2 gallons a day per person.

Oh, one other thing, a great place to get photos of Desert Bighorn Sheep is Hemenway Park in Boulder City. The sheep are wild, but they come down to the park from the surrounding mountains to eat the grass.

Gees! Is it that hot in June? I was planning on ice and water but is an umbrella a good thing for shade? I didn't realize it was that hot there in 2 weeks. I might rethink it and come in the fall. I thought it was maybe 80 and with a dry heat, it would be that bad!

[lvoc]

Originally Posted by GaLineman

Gees! Is it that hot in June? I was planning on ice and water but is an umbrella a good thing for shade? I didn't realize it was that hot there in 2 weeks. I might rethink it and come in the fall. I thought it was maybe 80 and with a dry heat, it would be that bad!

Actually most of us locals consider 100 reasonably pleasant. But 120 is miserably hot. and in the sun you need to follow the Chicano rule with hat and long sleeves. And it is after mid October in the fall.

Next spring try the first half of May. By the end you can get whacked.

[GaLineman]

Originally Posted by lvoc

Actually most of us locals consider 100 reasonably pleasant. But 120 is miserably hot. and in the sun you need to follow the Chicano rule with hat and long sleeves. And it is after mid October in the fall.

Next spring try the first half of May. By the end you can get whacked.

Well I gotta do it. Ticket is no refund. So I will be there! I wish I had known about it being that hot this early but, like they say, it is a dry heat so it shouldn't be so bad hopefully. I work outside and Georgia is hot in the summer and I tolerate 90 pretty well although it is more humid. But when you are talking 105+, that sounds hot!

[Raiderman]

105 will feel a lot nicer here than 90 in GA. Humidity is such a huge factor that many people don't consider. When it is 110 here, it is not oppressive like 85 or 90 back east with 80%+ humidity.