Top Photography Spots In Zion For Breathtaking Views
Nestled in the stunning landscape of southern Utah, Zion National Park is a dream destination for photographers and nature lovers.
With its towering sandstone cliffs, red canyons, and unique rock formations, every corner of this breathtaking park offers a new perspective waiting to be captured.Â
Here are 8 of my favorite spots to take photos in Zion!
1. Canyon Overlook
One of the most iconic views in the whole park is Canyon Overlook.
It’s an easy 1 mile hike to an open space that overlooks a grand part of the canyon. The sunset here is unreal, I highly recommend going at sunset for the best photos. Bring a tripod for a sunset shoot since the bright sunlight and the dark canyon may require HDR shooting.
2. Lower emerald Pool
The emerald pools are one of my favorite spots in the park, as they are some of the most breathtaking rock formations I have ever seen.
The lower emerald pool is a cave-like formation with a waterfall running over it. It’s a great opportunity to practice long exposure photography with the moving water. If you take the Kayenta trail to the pools, you will get great canyon views along the way.
3. Upper Emerald Pool
The Upper Emerald Pool is only another quarter mile past the lower pool. The pool forms from a 360 foot seasonal waterfall that flows into it. If flows the most in the spring when the snow melts, so spring is the best time to photograph this beautiful waterfall and sandstone rock wall.
4. West rim
One of my favorite hikes is the West Rim Trail, which leads up to the Angel’s Landing trail.
The trail elevates significantly after several switchbacks, leading to a stunning open view of the canyon. I like to stop at several spots on the trail to take photos. Scout Lookout is a great place to take in the view and get aerial shots of the park.
5. Court Of the Patriarchs
Another iconic view in Zion is the Court of the Patriarchs, where three prominent peaks stand together, named Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
In the winter, the snow covers the peaks and is my favorite time to take photos at this stop. No hiking is required to see these peaks. You can get off the shuttle at stop four and take some photos from there or explore the area to compose your shot.
6. Virgin river
Although it doesn’t look very big, the Virgin River carved the entire canyon that makes Zion the breathtaking canyon it is today.
There are tons of spots where you can access the river, and I like to take photos down by the water. One of the best areas with access is the Virgin River Walk, and the Narrows. If you’re willing to get wet, the Narrows has the best photo opportunities in the entire park.
7. Angel's Landing
Angel’s Landing is one of the most popular hikes in the park, due to its adventurous trail and remarkable view at the end.
This trail is not an easy one, and is actually quite dangerous. However, if you’re willing to take the risk, you will be rewarded with amazing aerial photos of the park. The end of this trail is one of the highest hikeable peaks in the park, and one of the best views!
8. The Watchman
The Watchman is one of the quieter areas of the park, located near the visitor center.
If you hike up, you can catch a really nice sunset, but you can also get great shots of the Watchman from the bottom of the canyon. Including the river in the photos makes for a great composition.
Love these photos?
Click here to see more photos from Utah and the United States! All photos are available for purchase as high quality downloads.
More From The Blog
More Posts
