Best Photography Spots in Utah National Parks

Check out our Utah National Park road trip itinerary that includes travel guides, packing checklists, and tips to help you plan your dream vacation!

Since we are able to visit these parks during all seasons and months of the year, we’ve put together a packing list for Utah National Parks. You can get a free printable by clicking the graphic below!

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A Photo Tour of Utah National Parks

Take a visual tour through all five Utah National Parks to see the stunning landscapes you’ll see when you visit!

Best Photography Spots in Utah National Parks

This list includes our favorite photo spots for sunrise and sunset at all five Utah National Parks. We also share tips and camera gear you’ll need to capture stunning landscape photos!

Arches National Park Photography

With over 2,000 natural stone arches, hundreds of stone pinnacles rising into the sky, immense rock fins, and large balanced rocks you’ll have plenty of ways to photography Arches National Park:

• Arches National Park Photography  
• Sunrise at Arches National Park 
• Sunset at Arches National Park
• Arches National Park Photo Spots
• Arches National Park Pictures

You can take stunning photos along the Arches National Park scenic drive:

• La Sal Mountain Overlook
• Balanced Rock
• Delicate Arch Viewpoint
• Panorama Point
• Skyline Arch

These photo spots can only be reached along Arches National Park hiking trails:

• Delicate Arch
• Turret Arch
• Double Arch
• Landscape Arch
• Sand Dune Arch
• Broken Arch

Bryce Canyon National Park Photography

When taking pictures of Bryce Canyon, watch for reflected light on the hoodoos, fins, windows and trees in the canyon.

Be creative with composition by taking pictures through rock holes, tunnels, windows and between cliffs to highlight the stunning landscapes of Bryce Canyon.

• Bryce Canyon Views and Photo Spots 
• Bryce Canyon Sunrise Photography
• Bryce Canyon Photo Spots
• Bryce Canyon Pictures

Here are a few of our favorite Bryce Canyon photography spots along the Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive:

• Agua Canyon
• Natural Bridge
• Bryce Point
• Inspiration Point
• Sunset Point

The Bryce Canyon hikes are a terrific way to get up-close images of hoodoos, windows, and tunnels!

Canyonlands National Park Photography

When in Canyonlands National Park Island in the Sky you can photograph natural canyons, arches, fins, buttes, mesas, and spires that have all been carved out by the awe-inspiring power of the Green and Colorado Rivers.

• Canyonlands National Park Photography at Island in the Sky
• Best Photo Spots at Canyonlands Island in the Sky

The photo spots you can access from the Island in the Sky Scenic Drive:

• Grand View Point
• Green River Overlook
• Buck Canyon Overlook
• Shaffer Trail Overlook

These Island in the Sky hikes will let you reach these photography spots:

• Mesa Arch
• Aztec Butte
• Upheaval Dome

Be sure to visit Dead Horse Point State Park near the Island in the Sky entrance for must-see views to photograph!

Capitol Reef National Park Photography

Stunning landscape scenes with cliffs, canyons, domes, and bridges is what it’s all about for Capitol Reef National Park photography.

The Capitol Reef scenic drive starts just past Fruita where you’ll find the famous historic barn and other historic buildings. It’s fun to photograph the horses and deer in the area.

There are Capitol Reef hikes with cool features to photograph:

• Hickman Bridge
• Chimney Rock
• Panorama Point
• Sunset Point

Zion National Park Photography

The first thing you need to know about visiting Zion National Park: is the shuttle running? If so, you’ll have limited access to sunrise and sunset photography at the locations in Zion Canyon.

• Zion National Park Photography
• Zion National Park Photo Spots
• Best Photo Spots for Sunrise at Zion National Park
• Zion National Park Winter Photos

You’ll find quite a few photography locations along the four different Zion National Park scenic drives:

• Towers of the Virgin (behind the Zion Human History Museum)
• Three Patriarchs
• Big Bend
• Highway 9 switchbacks
• Checkerboard Mesa
• Kolob Terrace

Here are our favorite things to photograph along some of the Zion National Park hikes:

• Pa’rus Trail (The Watchman and Virgin River)
• Canyon Overlook Trail
• Riverside Walk
• Hoodoo City (Kolob Terrace)

Travel Guides for Utah National Parks

Check out our Utah National Park travel guides that detail the best things to see, do and photograph at all 5 parks!

• Arches National Park Travel Guide
• Bryce Canyon Travel Guide
• Canyonlands National Park Guide
• Capitol Reef National Park Guide
• Zion National Park Travel Guide

When Is the Best Time to Visit Utah National Parks?

Deciding the best time to visit Utah National Parks is different for everyone.

There are important things to know about visiting these parks during the different seasons of the year. You’ll need to be aware of the busy seasons at the parks.

Check out these articles to know all about planning a trip during a specific season or month so you know in advance what to expect.

• Utah National Parks in the Spring
• Utah National Parks in the Summer
• Utah National Parks in the Fall
• Utah National Parks in the Winter

Utah Travel Guides & Maps

Camera Gear for Landscape Photography

• Tripod: take a look at these compact and lightweight travel tripods!
• Camera Bag: protect your camera from sand and water → We use Lowepro camera backpacks for outdoor photography.
• Neutral density filter: to compensate for variance of light you’ll need to use a neutral density filter. → Check out the Kase magnetic filters we use!
• Camera cleaning kit: remove dust or water that WILL get on your lens. NOTE: this is not for cleaning the sensor.  
• Memory cards: purchase name brand memory cards since you’re trusting your images to the card! → We use Lexar and Sandisk!
• External hard drive: copy photos to a portable external hard drive ‘just in case’. 
• Headlamp: use when taking sunrise and sunset photos!