Sep 28, 2024 By Gabrielle Bennett
Utah is a dream country for photographers, where photographers can capture beautiful landscapes of different types in natural surroundings. From the majestic arches of Arches National Park to the otherworldly salt flats of Bonneville, Utah is a perfect photo lovers paradise. The state has a diverse landscape and striking geographical features, and the opportunities for good shots are virtually inexhaustible. In terms of beauty, there is no dearth of options; be it the towering mountain ranges, the complex canyons, or the curious rock formations, Utah does not disappoint. Here are some of the top recommended locations for photography in Utah that would make your feed look fabulous.
There are over 2000 natural stone arches in the park with Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch among the most famous ones. The best time to photograph such formations is during the early morning or late in the evening, when the light is warm and inviting. Not only does arriving early mean there is no one else around for you to take pictures with but it also means that you get the best lighting for pictures. Definitely take a walk to the Delicate Arch trail to have an up and close view of this outstanding feature and do not forget to carry your wide lens to capture the vastness of the area.
Bryce Canyon National Park is paradise for photographers and is characterized by a large number of hoodoos strange rock formations. The bright red and orange spires grow out of the canyon floor and the towering formations offer great photo opportunities. Tourist favorite spots such as Sunset Point and Bryce Amphitheater provide great views of the hoodoos especially when the sun is setting or rising as it brightens up the color of the rocks. When hiking Navajo Loop Trail, one will get to see these formations up close and personal thus giving you many chances to take some great photos. Bryce Canyon should be included in any photo tour of Utah as it presents quite a creative backdrop for this strange and stunning landscape.
Dead Horse Point State Park provides some of the most spectacular canyon vistas in Utah as well as the Colorado River below. The parks expansive scenes are best captured in the early morning and late evening when the walls of the canyon turn red, orange and gold. For the best shots, one has to stand in one of the parks perspective points like the Dead Horse Point Overlook. Take a tripod and a wide angle lens since the canyons are very large and have great depth. This place has become quite popular among photographers as there is no noise pollution and the view is amazing.
These stunning terrains include steep cliffs and sinuous slot canyons, natural bridges, and green valleys. Coyote Gulch and Zebra Slot Canyon are two of the most photographed places for impressive views of narrow canyons and colourful rocks. Though it receives comparatively lesser foot traffic than other parks in Utah, Grand Staircase-Escalante offers a quiet and up-close photography tour. To capture the best picture for your Instagram page, ensure you take time and visit the less explored part of the monument.
The Bonneville Salt Flats are one of the most fascinating and eerie places to take pictures in all of Utah. This white and level salt desert extends to the horizon and reflects the sun and sky during some seasons. It is more advisable to go to the salt flats after a shower because the shallow water on the salt flats mirrors the sky. This results into some phenomenal photographic opportunities in which the horizon appears to evaporate and what remains is the mirror image of the clouds and mountains.
Goblin Valley State Park has fascinating rock structures referred to as goblins which are big mushroom-shaped relatively. These formations are peculiar and provide an excellent background for fun photoshoots as well as providing a distinctive landscape in Utah. The park has an almost dreamlike landscape, and is ideal for trying out different compositions and lighting conditions, especially for photographers who are keen on something out of the ordinary.
The recommended time for photography in Utah is early morning and in the evening known as the golden hours. These times offer the least direct light that really brings out the hues of the red rock country in Utah and casts great sharp shadows. This means that if you want to take a quality photograph, you must consider the prevailing weather conditions at that given time of the year. When it comes to the best time to visit this park, winter presents a picture of snow covered mountains, spring and fall are relatively warm with less congestion.
Utah is best for photography during spring (April- May) and autumn (September- October) as weather is moderate with clear light. These seasons also has fewer tourists, where you can also appreciate the stunning beauty of Utahs scenery without too many distractions. It is advised to make your travel arrangements during these periods to capture the best shots.
For a wonderful experience in photography, it is recommended that you hire a car in order to get to the best photography locations in Utah. Some of the most beautiful and lesser known sites are often situated in rather remote corners of the state, so having your own car will enable you to not only see the most visited attractions but also the less accessible areas.
Believe it or not, Utah is a paradise for photographers as the state provides a variety of beautiful spots for capturing breathtaking moments. Utah is home to landscapes that range from the picturesque Delicate Arch to the eerie Bonneville Salt Flats and everything in between. No matter if you have years of experience with a camera or if you use your smartphone Utah will make everyone fall in love with photography. Ready your maps, your camera, and your adventurous spirit as we bring you the best places to shoot in Utah.