Best Travel Photography Locations For 2024

The US is the third largest nation in the world so there are many travel photography locations to choose from. Whatever your interest, the US provides something for you year round. Here are my favorite picture spots both famous and obscure.

The Oregon Coast

Along the Pacific Ocean (300 miles), the Oregon Coast has many beautiful scenery for shooters to record. It has many beautiful natural areas from steep hills to smooth beaches. A particularly charming area is between Brookings and Bandon known for its rugged shoreline and stunning views.

Many photographers love the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, a stretch of shoreline with tall rocks, isolated beaches and green woods. The Oregon Coast is a great place to take beautiful pictures whether you want to show the crashing waves against the rough rocks or the peaceful beauty of the tide pools.

Spend a week visiting the Oregon Coast to get the most out of your travel photography locations. This gives you plenty of time to visit different places, wait for lighting and enjoy the ocean scenery. But it is essential to be careful especially during winter storms when sea mist and rough waves can be dangerous.

Big Sur

Big Sur is located on the central coast of California and is famous for its steep rocks, clean beaches and stunning ocean views. This rough stretch of shoreline has many picture postcard worthy scenes that shooters can record. Big Sur is a great place to take pictures from the famous Bixby Creek Bridge to the rough shoreline of Garrapata State Park.

From April to October when the weather is warm and ocean fog is less likely to block your view is the best time to fully enjoy Big Sur beauty. There are few places to stay in Big Sur but nearby Monterey is a great place to start exploring the area. In Monterey eat some tasty fish and watch whales. Then take a short drive along the beautiful coast to Big Sur.

If you want to take pictures in Big Sur you should bring a range of focal lengths from wide angle to telephoto lenses. Because it is so flexible you can take photos of extensive views and small details along the coast. Big Sur is a great place to take beautiful images whether you want to capture the golden light of sunrise or the soft colors of sunset.

Death Valley National Park

Despite the harsh and brutal scenery Death Valley National Park is a photographer’s dream. It is in California and has many different kinds of natural features from colorful mountains to huge sand dunes. Due to its high temperatures Death Valley might not seem like a place you’d want to visit but it is a great place to take pictures of landscapes.

Photographers can catch many scenes in the park such as vast desert views, rough mountain tops and strange salt flats. Death Valley’s unique nature makes it an excellent place for adventure and artistic writing.

To get the most out of your travel photography locations to Death Valley you should go in the winter when the weather is cooler. This makes it easy to explore and gives photographers the best shooting conditions. Any shooter will remember Death Valley for a long time whether they capture the stark beauty of Zabriskie Point or the alien scenery of Badwater Basin.

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The Sonoran Desert

The Sonoran Desert is in the middle of Arizona and is a beautiful and unique place for travel photography locations to discover. It is full of life and natural beauty even though it has a reputation for being hard and unfriendly. The desert has excellent places to take pictures from flowering saguaro cacti to rough mountain tops.

The Sonoran Desert has its rainy season in July and August which is one of the most beautiful times to visit. At this time big storms hit the desert and create beautiful lightning and color shows. Even though it can get boiling during the day, the best times to take pictures are early morning and late at night.

It would help if you planned to explore the Sonoran Desert because many places outside towns need phone or car service. But because the desert is so remote it offers a one of a kind chance to get close to nature and catch the beauty of this unique environment.

White Sands National Park

White Sands National Park is a photographer’s dream in southern New Mexico. The park has the most extensive gypsum dune field in the world making beautiful shapes and patterns when the sun shines. The white dunes create a unique out of this world scene for creative photos.

When the weather is cooler, going to White Sands in early spring or late fall is the best time to enjoy your travel photography locations. It can get too hot to take pictures in the summer and too cold to take in winter. It can also be better to use a zoom lens than a wide angle lens when taking photos of the dunes’ complex designs.

White Sands National Park is a one of a kind place to visit and photographers love taking pictures there to record its beauty. White Sands is a great place to take creative and exciting photos of the dunes at any time of the day from sunrise to sunset.

Zion National Park

Photographers love Zion National Park which is in southern Utah. People love the park’s beautiful red rocks, rushing waterfalls and clear rivers. Visitors can see a lot of different scenery from rough canyon walls to green river valleys.

To fully enjoy Zion National Park it is best to spend at least three days there. This gives you plenty of time to walk the trails, take pictures of the scenery and enjoy the area’s natural beauty. Also going to the park western and eastern sides gives you different chances to take pictures because each side has its features.

The Narrows is a beautiful slot canyon you can walk through by following the Virgin River. It is one of the best things about Zion National Park. Another well known hike with stunning views of the park is Angels Landing. You can always take beautiful pictures in Zion National Park whether you’re there to capture the sunrise over the red rocks or the sunset shining off the river.

The New England Coastline

Photographers will love the New England coastline’s mix of historic buildings, cute lighthouses and beautiful seascapes. Along the coast there are many beautiful places to take pictures from the busy city of Boston to the quiet beauty of Acadia National Park in Maine.

Fall is a great time to visit the New England coast because the leaves are changing colors and make for beautiful pictures. There are many lovely places to take photos along the coast like the ancient towns, lighthouses and seascapes.

Exploring the coast of New England is fun and gives travel photography locations a look into the area’s past and natural beauty. You can get ideas for photos along the New England coast, whether looking at the rough shoreline of Cape Elizabeth or the beautiful lighthouses of Acadia National Park.

The Hawaiian Islands

Photographers will love the Hawaiian Islands because they are a warm paradise with beautiful scenery and a lively culture. Hawaii has many lovely places to take pictures like its lush jungles, mighty waterfalls and volcanic landscapes.

Each of the Hawaiian Islands has its unique places to take pictures. Kilauea Volcano Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa are all on the Big Island which makes for exciting volcanic scenery for shooters. Kauai also called the Garden Isle has beautiful waterfalls, green jungles and clean beaches making it a nature photographer’s dream.

A helicopter or boat tour is one of the best ways to see Hawaii’s beauty. You can see the strange Napali Coastline from the air and from the water you can see the fantastic beauty of the islands. Whether you want to take pictures of the sunrise over the ocean or the sunset over a volcano, Hawaii has many beautiful places to shoot. 

Conclusion

The United States offers breathtaking travel photography locations with unique charm and allure. Photographers can find inspiration in diverse settings from the brutal Oregon Coast rugged beauty and Big Sur majestic cliffs to the surreal scenes of Death Valley National Park and the vibrant Sonoran Desert. White Sands National Park dazzles with its gypsum dunes offering a myriad of photographic opportunities. 

Zion National Park captivates visitors with its red cliffs and waterfalls making it a true paradise for photographers. The New England coastline with its historical charm and stunning autumn foliage is a dream for any photographer while the Hawaiian Islands provide a tropical paradise teeming with endless photographic possibilities.

FAQs

What Are The Best Travel Photography Locations In The US?

The Oregon Coast Big Sur Death Valley National Park Sonoran Desert White Sands National Park Zion National Park New England shoreline and the Hawaiian Islands are all beautiful photographic sites in the US.

When Is The Best Time To Visit These travel Photography Locations?

The ideal time to visit varies by area. The Oregon Coast and Big Sur are best visited from April to October whereas Death Valley National Park is finest in winter. White Sands National Park is best visited in early spring or late autumn when the Sonoran Desert rains in July and August and it is magnificent. The New England shoreline in autumn is stunning and Zion National Park should be visited for three days.

What Photography Equipment Should I Bring?

Pack wide angle and telephoto lenses to capture vast vistas and tiny details. A zoom lens may be preferable to a wide angle lens for depicting White Sands National Park complex dunes.

How Long Should I Plan To Spend At Each Location?

We suggest spending at least a week at the Oregon Coast three days in Zion National Park and planning for isolated regions like the Sonoran Desert with little phone or automobile service.

Are There Any Safety Considerations When Visiting These Locations?

Be cautious particularly during Oregon Coast winter storms when sea mist and strong waves may be difficult. Death Valley National Park is best visited in winter so beware of extreme temperatures. Plan for minimal amenities and arrive early in the morning or late at night to escape the Sonoran Desert hot heat.