By now, you should know I’m a landscape photographer.  I go out and take beautiful photos of landscape scenes around me.  However, I’ve developed a list of places where I particularly like to go shoot photos.  I thought I’d share 10 of my favorite landscape photography locations where I shoot frequently.  These locations are listed in no particular order.  Hope you enjoy.

1. Cedar Breaks National Monument

Cedar Breaks National Monument is a beautiful view located high up in the mountains.  The vista offers stunningly spectacular red cliffs being eroded by the weather.  In the distance, there’s green forest belonging to the Dixie National Forest.

While there’s basically one view from this overlook, what a view it is!  I love taking off in the evening for this vista.  I come back having seen something beautiful and usually having captured something beautiful too.  So, I love this landscape photo location for a reason.

2. Grand Staircase/Escalante National Monument

Given that ‘escalante’ means ‘staircase’ in Spanish, I’m simply going to call this place Escalante National Monument.  This rather expansive monument holds some amazing views.  The Kaiparowits Plateau offers some very interesting rock formations for sure.

I find many of my favorite landscape locations feature red rocks.  Escalante offers a welcome change in color from the red-orange nearby.  This place made my list of favorite landscape photography locations for a good reason.

3. Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon features eroding red sandstone.  The amphitheaters show red vistas fading off into the distance.  People know the park for its alien landscape featuring hoodoos such as Thor’s Hammer depicted here.

Ah.  My first national park was Bryce.  I’ll always have a special place in my heart for this place.  Other that that, Bryce Canyon offers some truly unique landscape which I enjoy shooting.  I just keep going back for a reason.

4. Yellowstone National Park

I’d certainly be remiss to neglect one of America’s premier national parks.  Yellowstone offers many different types of landscape photography opportunities from geysers hot pools to forests and lakes.  Drive a few miles and the landscape changes.

I do enjoy photographing Yellowstone.  If I drive around enough, there’s plenty of variety to wet my landscape photography appetite.  Let’s not forget all the wildlife there either.  I gain access to bison, moose, elk, deer, and more if I know where to go.

5. Mesa Falls State Park

Mesa Falls State Park in Idaho contains no less than 2 waterfalls from the Snake River.  Each one is a sight worth seeing.  However, only 1 waterfall has that classic waterfall look.  On the right day and at the right time, you might catch a glimpse of a rainbow shooting off the falls.

Mesa Falls is a wonderful place to visit in the Targhee National Forest.  Just don’t try to swim in the Snake River.  It’s super swift and dangerous.

6. Zion National Park

Another well-known national park graces the list.  This time, we see the canyon-made-park based at the southern most points of Utah.  Know for its steep red walls and majestic views, Zion National Park is a place to see.

While full of red rock, this national park does provide a variety of landscapes to shoot.  There’s a river, lakes/pools, high peaks, desolate rock faces, seasonal waterfalls, and more.  I do love to shoot landscape photos in Zion so it’s become one of my favorites.

7. Kolob Canyon

Ok, so technically Zion National Park receives 2 entries here as Kolob Canyon is part of that park.  Still, you can’t easily access 1 from the other.  Kolob Canyon features some of the same red rock faces but also adds creeks and finger canyons which the main park lacks.

I really enjoy the fact that this portion of the park is practically separate from the main park.  However, you can access it from I-15.  You access the hikes and the views in this portion of the park without using the tram.  That’s pretty ideal for me.

8. Henry’s Lake State Park

Here we have another portion of the Targhee National Forest.  Henry’s Lake State Park centers around the lake named Henry’s Lake.  Unlike many of the other local lakes, this one is naturally occurring.  It features a tranquil view surrounded by mountains.  It’s also popular for water sports.

I love this beautiful area.  It even features a view of the Teton mountains on the way to the park.  However, you really can’t see the Tetons from the park itself.

9. Grand Teton National Park

This national park features the jagged mountain range it shares a name with.  It also features the Snake River and several lakes.  There’s hiking, boating, climbing and more available for the outdoor enthusiast.  The park is on the Wyoming side only.

I really find myself drawn to these mountains.  Perhaps it’s their rough and jagged shape I like so much.  However, I enjoy both the Wyoming park view and the Idaho view equally.  I do keep going back for a good reason.

10. Capitol Reef National Park

This national park, known for its red rock as well, contains early Mormon pioneer settlements.  You can’t often go to a national park and see human habitation on display.  However, this park offers that and ancient petroglyphs.

I love the contrast between the human habitation and the harsh surrounding landscape.  The surviving fruit orchards also add flavor (pun partly intended).  Once again, I keep returning for a good reason.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I’ve found several landscape photography locations worth adding to my favorites list.  Sometimes I love returning to these spots so much I forget to branch out and try more.  Still, I’ll keep hunting for more landscape photography sites.  Once I accumulate enough, I might create a favorite landscape photography locations part 2.

So, if you want to hurry up the part 2, then share some of your favorite scenic locations in the comments section below.  I’ll make a point of checking them out for myself.