We are visiting Vegas in September and we have enough spare time to take one more day trip.
We are looking at either Valley of Fire or Red Rock Canyon.
Which would you recommend as the most spectacular and interesting?

Thanks

I've done them both and recommend Red Rock Canyon which never fails to delight and is very accessible. There is a P.F. Chang's on the road that leads to and from the canyon. You might also enjoy visiting nearby Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, which we found to be very interesting.

Go to Red Rock Canyon early in the morning for a variety of reasons:
1. It's not hot.
2. It's not crowded.
3. If you're a photographer, the sun is in the right position.

Valley of Fire. More interesting and more varied landscape - arches, even a slot canyon.

We never got to Red Rock Canyon, so I can't directly compare. However, Valley of Fire was spectacular. Got some pix in an album toward the bottom at http://community.webshots.com/user/bookhall

If they are still having summer stock at the ranch near Red Rock Canyon, that is alot of fun to sit under the stars and watch theater.... wear warm clothes though.. gets chilly at night.

We have been to Red Rock Canyon.
It was great!!
Just "watch your footing".
I tripped and fell,had a scar on my arm for a few months. I
said it was "my souvenir".

I add to Howards list on Red Rock, you will probably see the wild burros too.
We try to go to Red Rock every time we are in LV..it is a good day out of the craziness of the casinos.

Having been to Valley of Fire, but not Red Rock, I can't compare. However, I thought Valley of Fire was very interesting. Unlike anything I've every seen. There are some very interesting petrogliphs. The red rock formations looked like pictures I've seen of Mars. Hope this helps.

We took a drive to Red Rock Canyon from Las Vegas last weekend and enjoyed it very much. There is a scenic road that loops thru the park with quite a few turnouts where you can get out, hike, or take pictures. The road thru the park probably took about 30-40 minutes if you didn't stop.We did see plenty of wild burro. We found this a perfect way to spend time after we checked out of our hotel, while we were waiting for a late flight home.

Thanks guys, just I what I presumed, votes for both

bookhall - Thanks for the link to your photo album, you have some wonderful pictures!

I'll report back after my bnext trip as I've only been to Valley of Fire.

As you note it looks like a toss-up -- so I'd decide on something peripheral -- such as one is closer -- and that resto suggestion sounded great!

If you are going anytime after now rememeber to wear a hat and sunscreen, wear sunglasses and take a bottle of water!!! All are necessary in the dry desert heat.

Hi! My husband I were in Las Vegas in late April 2003. We rented a convertible for one day and went to Valley of Fire. It was awesome, and we got some great pictures. If you go, be sure to get out and do some exploring. Also, be sure and have lots of water with you. We figured that because it was only the end of April (and in the 70's in Las Vegas) that we really wouldn't need it. Well, we were wrong -- we really needed the water! Even at the information center/gift shop at Valley of Fire, they don't sell anything to drink (they do have a water fountain), and so near the end of the trip we were in a hurry just to find some water anywhere. We probably would have stayed a little longer if we had had it with us. Just stop on the way out of town at a drugstore and buy some bottled water.

The day we went to Valley of Fire was probably my favorite day in Vegas, and riding around in a convertible was great!

Sherry

Been to both places, and both are spectacular. You may want to consider how much time you have to spend -- Red Rock Canyon is closer and easier to feel like you've seen it in a day. Valley of Fire, I think, is more varied, even more glorious, and huge -- personally, I think it has more to offer, overall. The only thing I did not like is that I only had 1 day to visit it. It really deserves an extended visit, perhaps a camping trip. You don't go by the nice restaurants and stores on your way (like Red Rock Canyon), so get your water/snacks/etc. before you leave Vegas.
September is still going to be quite warm -- carry plenty of water, whichever you visit. Take lots of pictures!

To Bookhall: I checked out your pictures on webshots. They were so good, I used one of them for my computer wallpaper!

Been to both. VALLEY OF FIRE. It's more spectacular. If you're able to cut out time for both, start with the Red Rock, it may be a disappointment after the Valley.

Thanks for the compliment, BuffaloGirl... No substitute for the real thing, but the pix are nice reminders!

one of these may be our side trip, not the Grand Canyon!