You're standing on a balcony at the Cosmopolitan, drink in hand, looking toward the Red Rock Canyon. The sky starts to bruise—purples, deep oranges, that weird neon pink that only happens in the desert. You realize you forgot to check the clock. If you’re asking what time is the sunset in las vegas today, you aren't just looking for a number on a digital watch. You’re looking for that specific window where the heat of the Mojave finally lets up and the city starts to breathe.
Today, January 15, 2026, the sun dips below the horizon in Las Vegas at 4:48 PM.
Timing is everything here. Because of the Spring Mountains to the west, the "official" sunset time doesn't always match what your eyes see. The sun actually "sets" behind the mountains a few minutes earlier than the math says it should. If you're down on the Strip, surrounded by billion-dollar glass towers, that golden hour light is fleeting. You've got to be positioned right, or you'll spend the best part of the evening looking at the shadow of the Caesars Palace parking garage.
Why the Mojave Desert Sunset Hits Different
There’s a bit of science behind why Vegas looks like a living painting every evening. It’s mostly about the dust. We live in a basin. Fine particulate matter from the desert floor hangs in the air, scattering the shorter blue wavelengths of light and letting those long, dramatic reds and oranges dominate the spectrum. It’s a phenomenon called Rayleigh scattering.
Most people think "sunset" is a single moment. It’s actually a three-stage process that photographers obsess over. First, you have the golden hour, which is happening right now about 40 minutes before that 4:48 PM mark. Then you hit civil twilight—that's when the sun is gone but you can still see clearly without a flashlight. After that comes the "blue hour," where the sky turns a deep indigo and the neon of the Fremont Street Experience finally starts to pop against the darkness.
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Honestly, the blue hour is the best time for photos. The lights of the High Roller and the Sphere aren't washed out by the sun, but the sky isn't pitch black yet. It’s that perfect balance.
The Best Vantage Points for 4:48 PM
Where you stand in this city changes everything. If you’re at the bottom of the Grand Canyon on a day trip, your sunset happened two hours ago. If you’re at the top of the Strat, you’re getting every last second of it.
The Stratosphere Observation Deck
At 1,149 feet, this is the highest point in the city. You’re literally looking down on the planes taking off from Harry Reid International. From up here, the 4:48 PM sunset feels like it lasts longer. You can see the shadow of the earth creeping across the valley floor toward the sunrise mountain side of town.
Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive
If you want to get away from the slot machine dings, head 20 minutes west. But here's the kicker: because you are at the base of the mountains, the sun will disappear behind the peaks much earlier than the official time. If the schedule says 4:48 PM, you want to be at the High Point Overlook by 4:00 PM. The rocks turn a blood-red color that gave the park its name. It’s quiet. It’s heavy. It’s the real Nevada.
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Lake Mead and Hoover Dam
Over toward Boulder City, the sunset reflects off the water. It’s a different vibe. You get these massive, expansive views where the sky feels ten times larger than it does when you're trapped between the Wynn and the Venetian.
Dealing with the Vegas "Fake" Sunset
The mountains are the biggest liars in Clark County. Mt. Charleston and the Spring Mountain range sit at nearly 12,000 feet. When the sun hits those peaks, it creates a "false dusk" in the shadows below. If you're planning a wedding or a proposal based on what time is the sunset in las vegas today, always pad your schedule by 15 minutes.
I've seen so many people miss their "perfect" lighting because they didn't account for the topography. The desert isn't flat. It’s a bowl. And you’re usually standing at the bottom of it.
Seasonality Matters
In the summer, the sun stays up until nearly 8:00 PM, and the heat lingers well into the night. But in January, like today, the sun is efficient. It drops, the temperature plummets 20 degrees in an hour, and the city shifts gears. The transition from day-Vegas to night-Vegas is violent and beautiful.
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- Winter (Nov - Feb): Early sunsets (4:30 PM - 5:30 PM). Fast temperature drops.
- Spring (March - May): The sweet spot. Mild nights and 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM sunsets.
- Summer (June - Aug): Late sunsets (接近 8:00 PM). It stays hot long after dark.
- Fall (Sept - Oct): Crisp air and golden light around 6:00 PM.
Photography Tips for the Las Vegas Sunset
If you’re trying to catch this on your phone, turn off the auto-exposure. Tap the brightest part of the sky on your screen and slide the brightness down. It forces the camera to capture the deep purples instead of blowing everything out into a white haze.
Don't bother with a tripod on the Strip; security at places like the Bellagio fountains will usually tell you to move along if you look too "professional." Just lean against a railing. For the best shot of the Strip glowing, head to the top of the parking garage at the Rio. It’s an old local secret. You get the whole skyline with the sun setting behind it. It's spectacular and, more importantly, free.
Actionable Next Steps for Today
Since the sun is going down at 4:48 PM, here is your immediate game plan to make the most of it:
- Check the Cloud Cover: If there are high-altitude cirrus clouds (the wispy ones), stay outside. Those catch the light long after the sun is gone and create those legendary "fire" skies. If it's 100% overcast, skip the viewpoint and head straight to a windowless casino.
- Positioning: Aim to be at your chosen spot by 4:15 PM. This gives you the full transition of the golden hour.
- The Temperature Shift: Carry a light jacket. Even if it felt warm at 2:00 PM, the Mojave desert loses heat rapidly once the sun is gone. You'll feel that 10-to-15-degree drop almost instantly.
- Dinner Reservations: Book your table for 5:15 PM. By the time you sit down, the blue hour will be ending, the neon will be full-tilt, and you won't have wasted the best light of the day staring at a menu.
The desert doesn't do anything halfway. When the sun goes down in Vegas, it’s a full-scale production. Make sure you’re looking west when the clock hits 4:48.