Best Places For Landscape Photography In Arizona
Why Arizona is so Photogenic
When I first moved to Arizona I thought it would be a hot and dry desert with not much to look at. Over the years and thanks to my travels I have found this couldn’t be further from the truth! Arizona has many unique landscapes from cholla cactuses surrounded by towering ragged peaks to high desert mountainous landscapes. Photographers travel from all over the world to see some of the beautiful landscapes that Arizona has to offer. Arizona's natural wonders never fail to inspire me as a landscape and nature photographer.
Sedona
You may have heard of Sedona, Arizona, and if not you probably won’t forget about it now. Sedona wowed me the first time I ever laid eyes on the towering and unique red rocks being surrounded by green forest. I have always thought that Sedona looks like something from the movie The Land Before Time. If you go to Sedona you will probably hear about the Devils Bridge or Cathedral Rock hikes which offer incredible views and photo opportunities. However, there is so much more to explore in Sedona, Arizona beyond all the tourist spots. Living nearby I have been able to really explore numerous trails and find new and unique views and compositions all over the area that aren’t crowded with people. One of my favorite areas and views of Sedona, especially for sunset, is off Schnebly Hill Road. As a landscape photographer, it is always nice to create your own photo and composition, and Sedona offers many opportunities for this.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is another Iconic gem for sightseeing and landscape photography. The pictures are beautiful but don’t do this slot canyon justice. Seeing it in person is a must. The most popular slot canyons in the Page, Arizona area are Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons. These two slot canyons are stunning but can get overcrowded, especially in the summer months and can make landscape photography within the canyon difficult. Thankfully there are numerous alternatives to Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons in Page, Arizona. Checking out the canyons does require a tour, but there are many tour companies offering them year-round.
Kofa Mountains
The Kofa Mountains are a lesser-known area that offers some amazing photography opportunities. The Kofa Mountains are located in Southwest Arizona near Yuma and Quartzsite. The most photographed area of the Mountains is off of Queen Canyon Road but there are numerous other roads to explore within this rugged mountain range. The landscape is filled with cholla cactuses and other unique elements that offer a great foreground focal point for landscape images. If you visit the mountains at the right time of year you can catch some amazing desert wildflowers!
Superstition Mountains
Just East of Phoenix, Arizona are the Superstition Mountains. This landscape is similar to the Kofa Mountains in that they offer some jagged peaks and interesting foregrounds. There are a few areas within the Superstition Mountains to photograph and explore. A few of my favorites are Lost Dutchman State Park, The Salt River, and The Three Sisters. Those are just a few of the many amazing areas within the Superstition Mountains to take landscape Photographs.
Prescott
Prescott, Arizona is certainly a hidden gem for its landscape photography opportunities. There are some amazing features in the area such as Granite Mountain and Watson Lake. If you are interested in more information on some of the best locations check out my guide on landscape photography in Prescott, Arizona.
Vermillion Cliffs
The Vermillion Cliffs of Northern Arizona are my favorite location in the state for landscape photography by far! The rock formations in the area are literally out of this world, sometimes I feel as if I am walking on Mars. There are a few places within the Vermillion Cliffs to travel to and photograph. A lot of them do require a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle or at least an experienced driver. White Pocket in the Vermillion Cliffs looks like another planet especially when photographed from above with a drone. There is “The Wave” which is well known all over the world but does require a very hard to get permit. If you can’t win a permit for “The Wave” there is also Coyote Buttes South which is a beautiful and equally impressive alternative. These are a few of the main areas in the Vermillion Cliffs to explore for landscape photography but there are so many unique places within and around these areas.
Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon speaks for itself in that it is pretty grand. Landscape photography can be taken here from all over the rim and the best time to visit is during sunrise or sunset, the winter also offers some amazing conditions. The North Rim of The Grand Canyon is only open in the summer but offers some unique and amazing landscape photo opportunities. One of my favorite places along the North Rim is Cape Royal, which is best photographed when the sunset glow shines off the canyon or for astrophotography.
Monument Valley
Right on the Arizona-Utah border, Monument Valley's striking sandstone buttes and mesas have become one of the most recognizable landscapes in the American Southwest. This Navajo Tribal Park presents a surreal, almost alien-like scenery that is a dream for landscape photographers. Make sure you follow tribal park rules when you do visit.
Canyon De Chelly
This deep canyon, located in Northern Arizona on Navajo lands, features towering sandstone cliffs and ancient ruins. Landscape photography can be captured all around the monument. One of the highlight features to photograph is the iconic Spider Rock formation. You can also explore the canyon's winding trails for diverse perspectives of this historic and visually stunning landscape.
Havasupai Falls
Last on this list but certainly not least are the Havasupai Falls. They are located within the Havasupai Indian Reservation and inside a part of The Grand Canyon. These waterfalls have stunning turquoise water which cascades over various pools and creates a lush oasis amidst the arid desert surroundings. Getting to Havasupai Falls can be challenging. You first will need a permit to visit the falls and camping reservations to camp inside the canyon. Check out the Havasupai official site to get more information on permits and reservations. The hike to Havasupai Falls is strenuous but worth the effort for landscape photographers. The hike into the main falls, Havasu Falls, is about 10 miles one-way. Once you reach these falls you can travel another half mile to see Mooney Falls within the canyon. The farthest you can hike is an extra 5 miles out and back to Beaver Falls. You have to hike out 2.5 miles and then back to camp because there is no camping at the end or along the trail. Overall, the opportunity for landscape photography here is amazing but it is not for the faint of heart.
Conclusion
I’m grateful I have gotten to explore and photograph so many unique and beautiful landscapes of Arizona. It truly is a landscape photographer's paradise, offering an incredibly diverse array of landscapes. While some destinations are well-known, others offer solitude and the thrill of discovering the unseen. No matter which you choose, the distinct light, colors, and textures will provide countless opportunities to capture visually striking, landscape images that show off the beauty and magic of Arizona.
