If you’re an aspiring photographer or are just looking for a stunning spot for an eye-catching Instagram post, then you’re in luck! The United States has stunning outdoor destinations that offer incredible vistas, lush forests, beaches perfect at sunrise or sunset, and ocean landscapes that take your breath away.
From Acadia National Park in Maine and its stunning coastal landscapes to the white sandy beaches of Florida, the otherworldly landscapes of the Desert Southwest, the rugged peaks of the Pacific Northwest, and everything in between, this country is filled with incredible photo opportunities.
So, let’s hit the road and explore some of the most photogenic outdoor destinations around the country.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
The Grand Canyon needs no introduction as it is one of the most awe-inspiring natural landmarks in the world. At nearly a mile deep and layered with colorful red bands of rock this area is one of the most photogenic places in the world.
Best Time to Visit: Sunrise or sunset for dramatic lighting.
Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite Valley is framed by towering cliffs, numerous waterfalls, and the iconic Half Dome standing tall over the end of this gorgeous area. Tunnel View offers one of the most iconic photo opportunities in the park. Mark sure to visit at sunrise to watch as the light filters into the valley and lights up the rock walls.
Best Time to Visit: Spring for waterfalls, fall for colors.
Zion National Park, Utah
With otherworldly landscapes, slot canyons, and iconic trails like Angels Landing, there is no shortage of places to grab incredible photos within this Utah National Park. If you want to get shots of the narrows without 100s of people in them, head up early to beat the crowds.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall for mild weather.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
America’s first national park is home to geothermal features found nowhere else in the country, animals bigger than cars, and stunning landscapes stretching for as far as the eye can see. Look for trails that take you up and around the boardwalks built around most of the geothermal areas for unique perspectives on these colorful features.
Best Time to Visit: Late spring and early fall.
Antelope Canyon, Arizona
This narrow slot canyon can be hard to access due to the very limited permits available, but once you’re there, you’ll never want to leave. Over time, water has carved away these canyons to create wave-like rock structures that are like nothing else in the world.
Best Time to Visit: Midday for the best light beams.
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Bryce Canyon National Park offers stunning vistas over this magical desert landscape. Here, you’ll find hoodoos lining the red rock cliffs and trails that take you deep into the park so you can grab that magical shot without anyone else in the frame.
Best Time to Visit: Sunrise for magical lighting.
Glacier National Park, Montana
Massive peaks, alpine lakes, glaciers, and tons of wildlife make this national park a must-visit destination for photographers. However, the park’s high elevation and narrow mountain roads mean that the best areas are only accessible for a few months out of the year.
Best Time to Visit: Summer for accessibility as much of the park shuts down during the winter.
Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee/North Carolina
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still plenty of places to escape and enjoy the misty mountain views in peace. Sunrise and Sunset are the best time to photograph the park as the air hanging over the mountains glows with color.
Best Time to Visit: Fall for vibrant foliage.
Acadia National Park, Maine
This remote national park in Maine offers tons of amazing photography opportunities with rocky peaks, plentiful coastal landscapes, and even a picturesque lighthouse thrown in for good measure. The short but steep hike up the Beehive trail provides for 360-degree views of the park and surrounding ocean.
Best Time to Visit: Fall for autumn colors.
Horseshoe Bend, Arizona
This dramatic bend in the Colorado River at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is one of the most photographed natural features in the world. The views of Horseshoe Bend are available right off the highway, so there is no need to hike in to take in this stunning spot.
Best Time to Visit: Sunset for the best lighting.
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Millennia of erosion have created this otherworldly natural landscape, banded by alternating sections of white, red, and tan rock. Just imagine how early explorers managed to traverse this rugged landscape, as it feels like there isn’t an inch of flat land anywhere.
Best Time to Visit: Sunrise or sunset for stark contrasts.
Arches National Park, Utah
Home to nearly 2,000 natural arches, Arches National Park in Utah is a photographer’s paradise. At some of the park’s most famous features, it can feel like every photographer in the country is there. Luckily, there are plenty of smaller and less visited arches to explore, so bring your hiking shoes and explore this incredible park.
Best Time to Visit: Sunrise and sunset for quintessential arch photos
Denali National Park, Alaska
Home to the tallest mountain in North America, Denali National Park offers so much more than just a singular mountain view. Miles of untracked wilderness, incredible wildlife, and, of course, the occasional glimpse of the mighty Denali (when the weather cooperates) draw in hundreds of thousands of visitors and photographers each and every year.
Best Time to Visit: Summer and early fall to ride the bus into the park
Everglades National Park, Florida
Everglades National Park is home to the largest tropical wilderness in the United States and the accompanying biodiversity that calls this wild place home. If you’ve ever wanted to photograph snakes, alligators, birds, lizards, or any other swamp-dwelling wildlife, then this is a must-visit destination.
Best Time to Visit: Winter for cooler temperatures.
Joshua Tree National Park, California
Joshua Tree National Park has exploded in popularity as visitors have discovered the incredible scenery within this park filled with the strange Joshua tree. Plan to be there at sunrise or sunset to capture the warm glow of the landscape.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall.
Monument Valley, Arizona/Utah
Towering rock formations stand tall above this stunning valley. A stop along Highway 163 provides one of the most iconic photo opportunities in the country and one you may immediately recognize if you’re a fan of the movie Forrest Gump.
Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon.
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Towering rocky peaks, alpine lakes, wildlife like elk and moose, and high-country trails that take you to long-forgotten locations are some of what makes Rocky Mountain Park such a photogenic destination.
Best Time to Visit: Summer and early fall.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California
These neighboring parks are home to stunning waterfalls, mountain vistas, and the largest trees in the world. Try visiting after a recent snowfall, which perfectly contrasts the red trunks of the sequoias that dominate the forests.
Best Time to Visit: Late spring and summer.
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Mt. Rainier stands tall over Northwestern Washington, and once you’re within the park, you’ll appreciate just how huge this mountain truly is. Its glaciated slopes, wildflower-filled meadows, and abundant wildlife make this park a photographer’s dream.
Best Time to Visit: Summer for wildflowers.
Death Valley National Park, California/Nevada
The unforgiving landscapes and heat of Death Valley National Park make it a difficult one to photograph. Those who do will be treated to rugged landscapes, stunning sunrises and sunsets, and forgotten relics from this area’s mining past.
Best Time to Visit: Winter for cooler temperatures.
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Oregon’s only national park is a good one with the impossibly blue waters of Crater Lake stealing the show. This collapsed volcano has no inflows of water, which means the water here stays stunningly clear and deep blue. A visit earlier in the summer means the rim around the lake will still be ringed with snow, which creates a vibrant contrast to the lake’s blue waters.
Best Time to Visit: Summer and early fall.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
The towering Grand Teton mountain range stands tall over the valley floor below and provides the perfect backdrop for photographing the area’s changing colors, wildlife, and stunning lakes. A visit in fall is a must, as the valley floor explodes with color and the wildlife makes its way down from the mountains in anticipation of winter’s arrival.
Best Time to Visit: Late spring to early fall.
