Last Updated on February 2, 2023
Utah is a state that is rich in natural beauty, from the towering red rock formations of Bryce Canyon to the serene waters of Lake Powell. For landscape photographers, Utah is a dream destination, offering endless opportunities for stunning shots. But with so much beauty to choose from, where do you start?
In this blog post, we’ll be showcasing the best spots for landscape photography in Utah. We’ll be highlighting hidden gems that are off the beaten path, as well as popular tourist destinations that are sure to impress. We’ll provide you with tips on the best times of day to visit, what gear to bring, and how to make the most of your visit. So, whether you’re a seasoned photographer or simply looking to capture the beauty of Utah, this guide is the perfect starting point. Let’s start exploring!
Top Landscape Photography Locations In Utah
Zion National Park
The Zion National Park is located just outside of beautiful Zion Canyon in the southwest corner of Utah. The park is nestled between Springdale, UT and Kanab, UT.
Some of the more popular activities in this forest include hiking (obviously), wildlife viewing, camping, and biking but it is an absolute dream for the landscape photographer.
Some of the more popular trails within the forest include Angel’s Landing Trail, Observation Point Trail, The Narrows Trail, and Emerald Pools Trails to name a few. But even just the drive through this breathtaking location will leave you in awe.
Bryce Canyon
The Bryce Canyon National Park in Southern Utah is another popular location for landscape photography. The park is also known as Bryce Canyon and is about 200 miles north of Zion National Park.
This park has over a hundred different geological wonders including the Pothole Dome, Balanced Rock, and Many-Faceted Spires. There are also many areas within the park that are great for wildlife photography including Bryce Point, Morning Glory Pool, Devil’s Kitchen, Sunset Point Overlooks, and Cornfield Arch.
Escalante National Monument
The mountain cliffs in the Escalante National Monument in central Utah are absolutely breathtaking. There are many different trails throughout the area to explore including the Centennial Lookout Trail, Farview Trail, and Sunset Point Overlooks.
This area is also known for its spectacular sunset views with over 30 different viewpoints to photograph from. This locale is one of my favorites for photographing sunrises and sunsets.
Arches National Park
The Arches National Park in Utah is known as being the birthplace of all rock art. There are over 700 different rock formations within this park making it one of my favorite places to photograph.
There are over a hundred different hikes through Arches and I am by no means an expert at them. However, my favorite area for photography within the park is Landscape Arch Trail. This location offers amazing views towards sunset with golden hour light as well.
Monument Valley
At an elevation of over 5,000 feet, Monument Valley is one of the most famous spots for landscape photography. This traditional Navajo site has been a photographer’s dream for decades.
This location is well known for its incredible red rock scenery as well as its wide variety of other interesting landscape features. There are over 100 different hiking trails within the park but I recommend going to the “Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park” where you can get information on what trails to take and are less crowded.
Buckskin Gulch
The Buckskin Gulch is a small canyon located in the Sanpete Valley just north of Manti, UT. It is located within the Sanpete Canyon Museum right off of I-15 and west of Levan, UT. The canyon has narrow slot canyons with stunning cliffs to photograph all year long.
There are over a dozen different hiking trails that will take you to some of the most amazing places to photograph in Utah.
Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park is located along the Green and Colorado Rivers in southeastern Utah. The park is one of the most visited national parks in the country with over 3 million visitors a year.
The park is home to hundreds of different sandstone canyons that have been eroded over thousands of years forming spectacular landscapes for us to photograph.
The most popular area of Canyonlands for photographers is called Island in the Sky District.
Mirror Lake
The Mirror Lake is a beautiful mountain lake located in the Uinta Mountains in Wasatch County. This lake is an absolutely stunning place to visit in all seasons of the year.
If you are a landscape photographer then I highly recommend visiting this location specifically during the winter months when the lake freezes over creating spectacular clear ice images.
The second most popular time for photographers to visit this area is during peak fall foliage season in October and November.
Red Cliffs
The Red Cliffs National Conservation Area is another beautiful landscape location located in Southern Utah. This area is home to gorgeous red cliffs that are surrounded by sage brush filled landscapes.
This area has some of the most amazing rock formations and arches which makes this spot a photographers paradise.
These locations offer endless opportunities for photographers looking for the perfect location to shoot. I have personally had the chance to visit each of these locations many times and each time have been overwhelmed by their absolute beauty and serenity.
Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park is located along the southern part of the Colorado River in Utah. This park is a very popular site for photographers and provides amazing views of the surrounding landscape as well as spectacular sunset and sunrise photography opportunities.
The most popular location in this area is called Capitol Gorge with two different hiking trails where you can get even more access to scenic viewpoints and get amazing views of the canyon walls.
Toquerville Falls, LaVerkin Creek
This 30 foot waterfall is located just outside of the town of Virgin, UT in Washington County. The trailhead for this particular hike is located on the east side of Zion National Park in the state of Utah. This trail will take you to a beautiful waterfall that will light up with a pinkish hue at sunset.
Antelope Island
Antelope Island is an incredible wildlife area located in the Great Salt Lake area of Utah. The island is home to hundreds of different animal species including many different species of birds. You can also see buffalo, deer, wild horses, and many other beautiful animals. This is a wonderful place to bust out your nature camera and capture some truly unforgettable images.
Dead Horse Point State Park
Dead Horse Point is located right along the Utah/Colorado border and has some of the most amazing views of the surrounding landscape. This area is a photographers paradise and it will not take long before you are hooked.
This spot is also home to one of the most famous rock formations in all of Utah. If you are a photographer then I would not recommend missing out on capturing this beautiful area with your camera.
Goblin Valley State Park
This park is located in the southeastern part of Utah and offers some of the most interesting rock formations you will ever see. These strange shapes that were created millions of years ago have become the home of several different species of plants and wildlife.
This area was actually named Goblin Valley because these unique rock formations resemble goblins playing hide and seek among their rocky homes from a distance. These images make for some truly spectacular photographs.
Lake Powell
Crossing both Utah and Arizona on the way to Lake Powell in Utah, this area has some of the most amazing views you will ever see.
This lake is actually a reservoir or artificial lake created by a dam which spans both the Utah and Arizona borders. This is an amazing spot to explore for those who love water landscape photography.
This location also offers plenty of hiking trails if you are looking for something more challenging. The scenery will blow your mind and I would recommend bringing your own camera to capture some stunning images.
Alpine Loop
This area is located in the southeastern part of Utah near the Arizona border. This area is a popular spot for off-roading and an amazing journey on dirt roads. The scenery in this region is some of the most amazing you will ever see and it is not that far from any major cities.
If you are looking to explore, this location offers an unforgettable experience. This place has everything that makes nature so great, surrounded by some stunning desert sandstone rock formations.
Bottom Line
These spots are not the only places to explore in Utah. Take your time and discover new places that will blow your mind and make you fall in love with the place!
The views and landscapes are amazing but if you want to explore some truly unforgettable locations, this list is for you! Try to get there when it’s not too hot or too cold and you will get some of the best landscape photographs of your life.