Outdoor Locations – Photography by Amanda Gates

Locations are tricky when it comes to Las Vegas, the desert can provide some beautiful canvases for photos but it’s not your lushest green East Coast scenery. Below are the places I have personally experienced and photographed at, however, I am always welcome to suggestions as new places would be wonderful to discover.

VALLEY OF FIRE

This is by far my favorite location to shoot at, the colors and natural scenery are breathtaking. The best time of year to shoot here is March or October, of course, the weather can be monitored for other times of the year depending on what your needs/wants are for the shoot.
(NOTE: There is a $50 additional permit fee to shoot here)

CORN CREEK

Corn Creek is located approximately 10 minutes past Kyle Canyon Rd. This is a nature conservatory with a meadow, grass, trails, desert, water, old buildings, and more. Here are a couple of samples from my shoots at Corn Creek.

NELSONS GHOST TOWN

This is a client favorite, with old buildings, cars, and random aged collectibles it makes for a wonderful shooting location. Its vibe is very desert and very vintage. There are over 60 old cars, trucks, buses, and of course a perfectly isolated street. It’s located about 20 minutes south of Boulder City. You would just hop on the 95S and turn right past the Railroad Pass Casino, just before you enter Boulder City there is a turn-off to go towards Laughlin/Searchlight. About 10min down you will see a road to your left called Nelsons Road. Follow that road to the Texaco sign! (NOTE: There is a $15/hour fee to shoot here) Here are a couple of samples from my shoots at Nelson’s Ghost Town.

NEON BONEYARD

One of the most nostalgic and fun locations is the neon boneyard. This location screams Vegas but costs a pretty penny to shoot here. Inquire with the photographer before you book this session.

BOULDER BEACH

This location is in Boulder City. (NOTE: There is a $20/car fee to have access to this location) Here are a couple of samples from my shoots at Boulder Beach.

JOSHUA TREES/CACTUS

The deserts on the way to the Mountain are beautiful. Wide open space and lots of nature. Here are a couple of samples from my shoots at Joshua Trees/Cactus.

CHEYENNE PARK

An adorable little equestrian retreat that allows for some beautiful desert shots and a white fence.

FREMONT/CONTAINER PARK

If you want a fun “Vegas” themed shoot, Fremont and Downtown Container Park provide a unique experience. Here are a few shots from my shoots on Fremont.

LAKE MEAD

The deserts on the way to Lake Mead are beautiful. (NOTE: There is a $20/car fee to have access to this location) Here are a couple of samples from my shoots at Lake Mead.

DRY LAKE BED

This is a hard shooting location, but so beautiful. There are several dry lake beds, but the one I go to is on the way to Nelsons. It’s located about 10 minutes south of Boulder City. You would just hop on the 95S and right past the Railroad Pass Casino, just before you enter Boulder City there is a turn-off to go towards Laughlin/Searchlight. Take that about 10min and on your right you will see a turn-off into a dry lake bed, usually isolated or people riding dirt bikes. Here are a couple of samples from my shoots at Dry Lake Beds.

LAKE LAS VEGAS

This is a popular location and easy to get to. Take the 215 S into Henderson, staying on the 215 until it becomes Lake Mead. Keep going east until you see the big Lake Las Vegas sign and turn Left. After the first round, you will see Monte Lago Casino (which is currently closed) but you will park in the parking garage and follow the signs down into the village. There are waterfalls, a lake of course, grass, fountains, bridges, stone, and a Gazebo. It’s also one of the only locations to have a 50 ft tree to photograph in front of for Christmas! Here are a couple of samples from my shoots at Lake Las Vegas.

WETLANDS

This is a huge, hidden jewel. The wetlands are HUGE and consist of trees, water, and more trees. It’s an interesting place with lots of potential. It is located off Boulder Hwy and Tropicana, to which you would follow the signs to the main visitor center and can enter the park in many ways. Here are a couple of samples from my shoots at Wetlands.

MTN CHARLESTON

This is our major mtn range in Las Vegas, LOTS of trees, grass, trees, rocks, trees, and more trees. It’s located North of Las Vegas on Kyle Canyon Road. The best time to shoot in Mtn is June-Sept. Here are a couple of samples from my shoots at Mtn Charleston.

FLOYD LAMB/TULE SPRINGS

This is a park, with paid entry, north of Las Vegas off Durango and the 95. It’s one of the only locations to see huge leaves in the Fall/Winter. This is a big park, but the best shooting area is in the first parking lot with the buildings, gazebo, white fence, and bridge. Some peacocks and geese run wild, so it’s beautiful. (NOTE: There is a $10/car fee) Here are a couple of samples from my shoots at Floyd Lamb/Tule Springs.

CALICO BASIN

This is a fun location and provides lots of shade and beautiful light. It’s located 10min from the 215/Charleston, westbound. You’ll see signs for Calico Basin and you’ll park in the Red Springs parking lot. There is a meadow with either dead grass or tall grass which is surrounded by a wooden bridge. The view of the red rocks is beautiful here. There are bathrooms and walking paths as well as picnic tables. (NOTE: there is a permit fee to shoot here) Here are a couple of samples from my shoots at Calico Basin.

SPRING MTN RANCH

This is another paid park, but a fun place to take pictures. There is a big grassy field, white fence, lake, bridge, and lots of nature. It’s located 5 minutes from Bonnie Spring. (NOTE: There is a permit fee to shoot here) Here are a couple of samples from my shoots at Spring Mtn Ranch.

RED ROCK CANYON

This is a little bit of a hike, but is 3 min from Calico Basin. Once you arrive you have to park and walk for about 15 minutes to get to these amazing rock formations. It’s worth the hike. (NOTE: there is a permit fee to shoot here, currently $200) Here are a couple of samples from my shoots at Red Rock Canyon.

SMITH CENTER

This is located downtown near the Las Vegas Outlets on East Charleston. It’s a very small area but provides a fun urban location for shooting unique pictures. Here are a couple of samples from my shoots at Smith Center.

DOWNTOWN

This is a fun place located in downtown Las Vegas. It provides a more urban, fun, hip, and colorful place for photographs of any kind. Here are a couple of samples from my shoots DOWNTOWN.