Last Updated on April 14, 2021
My first photography trip to Alaska was one of the best photography experiences I’ve ever had. I was introduced to a world of beautiful vistas and phenomenal displays of nature. I found myself in awe at almost every turn. It wasn’t long before I fell in love with Alaska and its incredible beauty.
In this article you will find our list for the best places to shoot landscapes in Alaska. It’s by no means an exhaustive list. As there are far more places for the intrepid photographer to go than we can cover at one time. But this list will definitely provide you with enough photography locations to last you years.
Top Alaskan Locations For Landscape Photography
1) Denali National Park
Denali is one of the most beautiful places on earth and it is perfect for landscape photographers. Denali is the most visited National Park in Alaska and it is home to the highest peak in North America, Mount McKinley. Denali has a wide variety of landscapes from glaciers, lakes and river valleys.
The mountain tops are covered in snow for most of the year like every other park in Alaska. However, there are many places that are un-groomed and snow covered throughout Denali that can be used for photography.
Denali’s proximity to Anchorage makes it easy and safe to get to. If you are in Anchorage, Alaska you will find almost all the places on this list. Denali is the best place in Alaska for landscape photography.
2) Kenai Fjords National Park
The Kenai Fjords National Park is full of rugged and wild terrain. There are glaciers, mountains and fjords with waterfalls that make for amazing photography. The best time to visit Kenai Fjords for photography is in the spring when the sun comes out during the day and the waterfalls are flowing more than in other seasons.
These waterfalls are some of the most beautiful things to shoot in Alaskan photography. You will find that they are pretty throughout the year, but their beauty is best displayed in the spring.
4) Glacier Bay National Park
Glacier Bay National Park is home to one of the most beautiful areas in Alaska. One of the amazing things about Glacier Bay is that it is where the waters from the Pacific and Arctic meet. This area is very remote and relatively untouched by human beings. You can see the glaciers, icebergs and mountains for yourself from this area which makes it one of the best places to shoot landscapes in Alaska.
5) Kasilof River Valley
This is one of the most incredible places in Alaska. The Kasilof River flows though the park, which leads to some of the best scenery for landscape photography you have ever seen. You can see the river valley from several locations along it which makes it one of the best places to photograph in Alaska. There are several spots from which you can shoot this amazing landscape.
6) Susitna River Valley
Susitna is one of the most breathtaking areas in Alaska. The Susitna River’s valley is almost as beautiful as the river itself. The Susitna River Valley is home to several waterfalls and lakes that produce some of the most magnificent scenery you will ever see.
7) Sitka
Sitka is located in Alaska’s far southeast corner. Sitka is a small coastal city situated on a large island in the middle of an amazing river valley.
There are many places to photograph in Sitka, mostly on the hillside near the river. The best time to visit for photography is between May and July when the weather is nice and calm for photography. If you want to photograph from a boat, you can head upriver first to where there are several places along the river for that purpose.
8) Spruce Island
Spruce Island is located in the Prince William Sound area. It has an interesting history that gives it a unique feel. If you are looking for some adventure and to get off the beaten path, you should definitely visit Spruce Island. The best time to shoot on this island is after October when it starts getting windy during the day. It can be pretty windy at times but is still a beautiful place to photograph in Alaska.
Conclusion
You can’t go wrong with any of these amazing locations for landscape photography in Alaska. They are all beautiful and some you will find easier to get to than others, but many are within driving distance from Anchorage.