Five Down Five To Go: Top Landscape Photography Locations in the United States
When it comes to landscape photography, the United States is a treasure trove brimming with stunning spots waiting to be captured. From majestic mountains to serene beaches, there’s something for every photographer. MrsFaceless and i compiled a list of our top five visited locations, followed by 5 more on our to-do list:-
- Acadia National Park: Coastal Wonders
For those who love the ocean, Acadia National Park in Maine is a must-see. This spot features rocky coastlines, serene lakes, and lush forests. Cadillac Mountain offers a breathtaking view, especially during sunrise—it’s the first place to see the sun rise in the U.S. The vibrant fall colours here are also a photographer’s paradise. Don’t forget to snap some pictures of the iconic lighthouses. MrsFaceless remembers this fondly as her first real photo trip with a DSLR. I remember it for all the lobsters i ate. Oh, not forgetting all the great photo opportunities.
- Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Streams and waterfalls, trails and hikes, overlooks and rolling hills. The Smoky Mountains offers a wide range of options for the casual visitor or the most serious photographer. From surveilling the heights of Clingman’s Dome, a sunrise at Newfound Gap or taking in sunset at Ben Morton overlook opportunities abound. Don’t forget to take in the quaint towns such as Gatlinburg, Tn or Cherokee, NC and these two are ideal locations to base yourself in for further exploring. A little more crowded than other areas, Cades Cove in TN is worth a visit – lovely scenery, wildlife and a grist mill too.
- Daniel Boone National Forest:
Rock laden rivers, waterfalls and hikes from a quarter of a mile all the way up to tens of miles for those who love a challenge! All of this combined with peace and tranquility. We found pleanty of solitude in the Daniel Boone National Forest to go along with the amazing views, rich and colourful foliage and plentiful photographic opportunities. The busier locations were all around Cumberland Falls and we can understand why, especially when capturing an early morning rainbow in the mist or the couple of nights per month when you can try for a moonbow. But venturing just a short distance away you can be on your own at Dog Slaughter Falls or Sublimity Bridge, or watching the early morning mist burn away as you stand at the overlook 500 feet above the breathtaking Bear Creek, saturated in autumn colours.
- Outer Banks: Sand Bars and Beach Bars
A sand bar location, with gorgeous sandy beaches, dunes, piers, lighthouses and historical locations, such as the Wright Brothers museum and monument. The Outer Banks is perfect for sunrises, sunsets, long exposure and, suffering from minimal light pollution, is a great spot for astro photography especially milky way shooting. The shoreline also boasts swamp and skeletal trees at the Nags Head Woods Preserve and a plethora of wildlife, including deer and wild horses up and past Corolla. It’s a tourist destination so plan accordingly…but MrsFaceless recommends a visit to the Holy Cow Creamery for one scoop (or two) of their ice creams. Yummy!!
- Moab – Arches/Canyonlands/Dead Horse Point and an honourable mention for Goblin Valley: Never Surrender
Yes this is cheating as it’s multiple different locations, but as Arches and Canyonlands are so close together it seems reasonable to combine them, both being just outside Moab, UT. Arches is simply spectacular. Drive around on roads or trails, hike or bike, camp or stay locally. You will be mesmerized once you see the naturally formed stone arches in this park from the infamous Delicate Arch, to Double Arch and Natural Bridge. Being a dark sky location it offers the opportunity for astro and milky way shots with stunning vistas, or foregrounds such as Balanced Rock in addition to fabulous sunrises and fiery sunsets.
Pretty much the same goes for Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point State Park where the roads twist and flow through the scenery, giving way to rocky outcrops and patterns, together with twisted, gnarly olive trees scattering the landscape. Designated parking indicates the start of hiking trails for the more adventurous, or simply a rest stop or overlook for the less inclined, although some of the views from the simplest walks from the car are beyond breathtaking, such as Islands in The Sky.
A final quick mention here for Goblin Valley State Park, used as the planet backdrop for the film Galaxy Quest, a little under 2 hours west of Moab. The hoodoos are mind blowing. All shapes and sizes. And they seem never ending. Walking around here will give you untold unique opportunities for images. Paired with a favourable sky and/or sunrise/sunset Goblin Valley really is out of this world!
Five To Do –
- Yellowstone
Many photographer visit Yellowstone purely for the wildlife – capturing bison, wolves or bears. But landscape photography opportunities abound in an environment which experiences four distinct seasons. Spring can be unpredictable, with a mix of weather. Winter snows melt away, often leaving a muddy mess, but fresh snow can fall as late as June, which results in a glistening, wintery landscape. Summer sees vibrant wildflowers, delicate forget-me-nots, wild iris and lilies, plus the distinct yellow petals of the arrowleaf balsamroot painting the mountain hillsides. But high temperatures and big crowds make summer a less popular time amongst serious photographers. That leaves what may be the two best seasons for landscape work: autumn and winter. Autumn is perhaps the most popular time for landscape specialists in Yellowstone due to the fall foliage in yellow, orange, and red tones. Yellowstone winters can be very harsh, but beautiful with snowfalls that can blanket the parks in a pristine sea of white. The difficulty here is that the rugged mountains, whilst making a fabulois subject, often block the sun making sunrise and sunset photography challenging.
- Glacier National Park: A Frozen Wonderland
Glacier National Park in Montana is like stepping into a postcard. With its deep valleys, alpine lakes, and rugged peaks, it’s perfect for outdoor and landscape photography. The park has over 700 miles of trails. You can catch stunning views of wildflowers, glaciers, and wildlife. For those early risers, the sunrises at Swiftcurrent Lake create reflections that are pure magic.
- Olympic National Park: A Diverse Retreat
Washington’s Olympic National Park offers a mix of mountains, forests, and coastline. You can shoot everything from misty rainforests to rugged beaches. Hoh Rain Forest is like stepping into another world, with towering trees draped in moss. Rialto Beach features dramatic sea stacks, perfect for sunset shots. The variety here means you can take a different shot every day.
- Denali National Park, AK
Denali is often described as a Mecca for photographers with towering peaks, vibrant colours, vast tundra and abundant wildlife. The classic location of Reflection Pond, with its mirror like smooth waters, is the perfect spot to capture the majesty of Denali, the highest peak in north America. If that reflection doesn’t work, try Wonder Lake on the western side of the park. It’s also a prime location for sunrise and sunset. If only it wasn’t so far away…..and cold!
- Big Bend, TX
Big Bend National Park extends over 800,000 acres of southern Texas, bordering Mexico. Spring time reveals desert blooms of wildflowers. There can also be amazing cloud formations as showers roll through, potentially with rainbows, just watch out for flooding. Summer brings thunderstorms and amazing sunsets. But clearer skies make way for astro photography and glorious Milky Way opportunities. At the end of summer expect thunderstorms and lightning which can add drama to any photograph.
Bonus For Discussion – The Badlands
- Badlands National Park: A Painted Desert
South Dakota’s Badlands National Park offers a unique landscape that looks like a scene from a sci-fi movie. With its sharp peaks, deep canyons, and layered rock formations, it’s a photographer’s playground. The best time to visit is during golden hour when the light enhances the colours and textures of the landscape. Keep an eye out for bison, too—they make for great subjects! There’s no doubting the images can be stunning, but there is an elephant in the room here. Having talked to a number of other photographers who have been there, seen their photos, reviewed images online and generally plotted the places to go on a trip, individually the photos are unique in expressing the sheer wonder of the landscape, but when looked at together there is a repetition that does make us wonder if a dedicated trip is worth it. Most likely we would try to steer our route through the Badlands for a couple of days…..and if we then feel it’s worth further exploration we can always return.
Conclusion: Capture the Magic
The United States is filled with diverse landscapes, each with its own unique charm. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a serious photographer, these locations offer endless possibilities. So grab your camera, pack some snacks, and get ready to discover the beauty waiting just beyond your doorstep. We’re planning our next destinations. Where will your next adventure take you?
The five to do on our list are there not just because of great photographic opportunities, but because of the difficulty in shooting them. Distance or limited seasonal access plays a big part so any trip we decide to take to these will involve quite a bit of travel planning and so by definition, making it a whole different experience. There’s a whole raft of locations, including many National Parks, that are way more easily accessible to us, so we will be visiting as many varied and interesting places as time and other committments will allow. Our schedule for 2025 is slowly filling up and we’re really looking forward to the new places we’re currently planning for.
Some of these locations are remote, others are very remote with very little in the way of traffic or visitors. Remember to be safe and sensible – take snacks and water when you head off on a hike, ensure you have more in your car for your return or should you break down. Cell service can be patchy or non existant. Always ensure you have a fully functioning spare tyre as unmaintained roads can be rough and punctures can happen. Also ensure you have enough fuel to get to your destination and back with some to spare. Plan accordingly. Be safe. Enjoy. And leave it better than you found it.