Have a camera at home that hasn’t seen daylight in some time? If your only excuse is a lack of subjects, traveling is a great excuse to find new places to photograph, including plenty of willing subjects in our state. Actually, if we’re being honest here, any place you visit in Arizona has the perfect setting for a beautiful photograph. But since we have to list them, here are ten must-see places in Arizona that are a photographer’s paradise, whether professional or amateur. So, take your cameras out of storage, move the settings off “auto,” and get ready to show off some gorgeous photos of these scenic places in Arizona.
- Antelope Canyon for peaceful, low light photos.
Dmitry.S./Flickr Using a tripod can be a pain, so visit in mid-day when the light is more likely to point straight down the canyon and use a smaller, more portable tripod.
There’s a lot to love about this iconic canyon, so be sure to take the time to explore it!
Editor’s Note: Unfortunately, tripods are no longer allowed in Antelope Canyon since photography tours are not offered. But this is still one of the most scenic places in Arizona that’s worth a visit!
- Havasu Falls for some epic slow shutter speeds with vibrant colors.
Jon Roig/Flickr Voted the most beautiful place in Arizona, you can bet you’ll get some amazing shots here. Slow shutter speeds are great but play with the timing and location! This one had a shutter speed of 1/250 and captures the textures of falling water.
David Smith/Flickr Compare that to this, which looks like one smooth waterfall.
- Mill Avenue in Tempe for candid city shots or nightlife.
Alan Stark/Flickr You can find so many photo opportunities here almost every night!
- Lake Mead for boating photos.
U.S. Geological Survey/Flickr Other ideas include kayaking, water skiing, beach photos, and even just the reservoir itself. The lake has quite a few surprises resting on the bottom of the lake, too.
- Grand Canyon for startrail photography.
Arup Malakar/Flickr The Grand Canyon and the Navajo Nation have some of the darkest skies in the state, so they’re perfect for astrophotography.
- Cathedral Rock for an epic red-toned photo.
Theodore Lee/Flickr The best time to get the photo is at the end of the day when the sun is lower in the sky. Be prepared to arrive at least a couple of hours before sunset to scout out a perfect location. You can rent a yurt for a unique experience while testing out your night photography skills.
- Hopi Point for an incredible sunset photo at the Grand Canyon.
Todd Petrie/Flickr Or any time of the day, really.
- Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument for a different cactus landscape.
Rich Luhr/Flickr
- Lost Dutchman State Park for an iconic Sonoran desert photo.
Point & Shoot/Flickr Go in early spring or a couple days after a rainstorm for a greener, more lively photo. Just be aware, many believe Lost Dutchman State Park to be the< a href=“https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/arizona/most-haunted-park-az/" target="_blank”>most haunted state park in Arizona.
- Tombstone to capture a glimpse of the Old West.
Jacqueline Poggi/Flickr It can be touristy but there’re some great preserved and reconstructed buildings as well as live re-enactments. Tombstone is also home to the world’s largest rosebush, which I’m sure you’ll want to photograph!
What other scenic places in Arizona make great settings for photography? Let us know in the comments below, or nominate it for a chance to be featured!
Dmitry.S./Flickr
Using a tripod can be a pain, so visit in mid-day when the light is more likely to point straight down the canyon and use a smaller, more portable tripod.
There’s a lot to love about this iconic canyon, so be sure to take the time to explore it!
Editor’s Note: Unfortunately, tripods are no longer allowed in Antelope Canyon since photography tours are not offered. But this is still one of the most scenic places in Arizona that’s worth a visit!
Jon Roig/Flickr
Voted the most beautiful place in Arizona, you can bet you’ll get some amazing shots here. Slow shutter speeds are great but play with the timing and location! This one had a shutter speed of 1/250 and captures the textures of falling water.
David Smith/Flickr
Compare that to this, which looks like one smooth waterfall.
Alan Stark/Flickr
You can find so many photo opportunities here almost every night!
U.S. Geological Survey/Flickr
Other ideas include kayaking, water skiing, beach photos, and even just the reservoir itself. The lake has quite a few surprises resting on the bottom of the lake, too.
Arup Malakar/Flickr
The Grand Canyon and the Navajo Nation have some of the darkest skies in the state, so they’re perfect for astrophotography.
Theodore Lee/Flickr
The best time to get the photo is at the end of the day when the sun is lower in the sky. Be prepared to arrive at least a couple of hours before sunset to scout out a perfect location. You can rent a yurt for a unique experience while testing out your night photography skills.
Todd Petrie/Flickr
Or any time of the day, really.
Rich Luhr/Flickr
Point & Shoot/Flickr
Go in early spring or a couple days after a rainstorm for a greener, more lively photo. Just be aware, many believe Lost Dutchman State Park to be the< a href=“https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/arizona/most-haunted-park-az/" target="_blank”>most haunted state park in Arizona.
Jacqueline Poggi/Flickr
It can be touristy but there’re some great preserved and reconstructed buildings as well as live re-enactments. Tombstone is also home to the world’s largest rosebush, which I’m sure you’ll want to photograph!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Antelope Canyon, Arizona 86040, USAAddress: Havasu Falls, Arizona 86435, USAAddress: South Mill Avenue, S Mill Ave, Tempe, AZ, USAAddress: Lake Mead, United StatesAddress: Grand Canyon, Arizona 86052, USAAddress: Cathedral Rock, Arizona 86351, USAAddress: Hopi Point, Arizona 86023, USAAddress: Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, 10 Organ Pipe Dr, Ajo, AZ 85321, USAAddress: Lost Dutchman State Park, 6109 N Apache Trail, Apache Junction, AZ 85119, USAAddress: Tombstone, AZ 85638, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
scenic places in Arizona April 02, 2021 Jackie ann What are the best hikes with a view in Arizona? Arizona is well known as the Grand Canyon State, but the awe-inspiring natural beauty of our region extends beyond the Canyon’s borders. With a diverse terrain spanning across evergreen forests, alpine tundras, and snow-capped peaks, there are a vast range of hiking excursions to explore. Northern Arizona boasts the coolest temperatures state-wide making it a perfect hiking destination during the hot summer months. The Lava Flow Trail at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument offers adventurers unparalleled views from the black lava sand trail along the Bonito Lava Flow. In Central Arizona, discover the greenest desert in the world surrounded by the rugged mountains, grassland valleys, and deep canyons dotted with colossal saguaro cacti. The short 2-mile loop of White Tank Waterfall trail reveals unique rock formations, multiple cactus varieties and depending on the weather, maybe even a waterfall. Does Arizona have any natural wonders? Arizona’s exceptional range of stunning landscapes makes it feel like natural wonders are around every turn. Journeying a little off the beaten path from Flagstaff and Sedona is Horseshoe Bend Canyon, where nature lovers will discover a true Arizona treasure. Short hiking trails offer visitors panoramic views of the canyon plunging 1,100 feet down to the Colorado River. The Saguaro National Park is a breathtaking destination for exploring the desert where hikers meander trails through saguaro, ocotillo, cholla, and prickly pear cacti against a backdrop of rugged mountains. Keep an eye out for native wildlife, bobcats, mule deer, and javelina are often spotted roaming the park. On rare occasions this region may even get a dusting of snow during the winter months! What is the most beautiful aerial footage of Arizona? Exploring the majestic scenery of the Grand Canyon State by land is a magical experience you’ll remember for a lifetime. However, aerial footage has the ability to capture the landscape from a breathtaking perspective offering a birds-eye view tour of our remarkable region. There is no shortage of incredible videos showcasing these distinctly rugged expanses and a quick online search for footage will keep you in awe for hours. Start your virtual journey with this drone footage of the Grand Canyon by Eugene Belsky, explore the stunning rock formations of The Wave with this video by Al Hansen, and see the spectacular Meteor Crater with this footage from Dave’s Drone Shop.
The OIYS Visitor Center
scenic places in Arizona
April 02, 2021
Jackie ann
What are the best hikes with a view in Arizona? Arizona is well known as the Grand Canyon State, but the awe-inspiring natural beauty of our region extends beyond the Canyon’s borders. With a diverse terrain spanning across evergreen forests, alpine tundras, and snow-capped peaks, there are a vast range of hiking excursions to explore. Northern Arizona boasts the coolest temperatures state-wide making it a perfect hiking destination during the hot summer months. The Lava Flow Trail at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument offers adventurers unparalleled views from the black lava sand trail along the Bonito Lava Flow. In Central Arizona, discover the greenest desert in the world surrounded by the rugged mountains, grassland valleys, and deep canyons dotted with colossal saguaro cacti. The short 2-mile loop of White Tank Waterfall trail reveals unique rock formations, multiple cactus varieties and depending on the weather, maybe even a waterfall. Does Arizona have any natural wonders? Arizona’s exceptional range of stunning landscapes makes it feel like natural wonders are around every turn. Journeying a little off the beaten path from Flagstaff and Sedona is Horseshoe Bend Canyon, where nature lovers will discover a true Arizona treasure. Short hiking trails offer visitors panoramic views of the canyon plunging 1,100 feet down to the Colorado River. The Saguaro National Park is a breathtaking destination for exploring the desert where hikers meander trails through saguaro, ocotillo, cholla, and prickly pear cacti against a backdrop of rugged mountains. Keep an eye out for native wildlife, bobcats, mule deer, and javelina are often spotted roaming the park. On rare occasions this region may even get a dusting of snow during the winter months! What is the most beautiful aerial footage of Arizona? Exploring the majestic scenery of the Grand Canyon State by land is a magical experience you’ll remember for a lifetime. However, aerial footage has the ability to capture the landscape from a breathtaking perspective offering a birds-eye view tour of our remarkable region. There is no shortage of incredible videos showcasing these distinctly rugged expanses and a quick online search for footage will keep you in awe for hours. Start your virtual journey with this drone footage of the Grand Canyon by Eugene Belsky, explore the stunning rock formations of The Wave with this video by Al Hansen, and see the spectacular Meteor Crater with this footage from Dave’s Drone Shop.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Arizona is well known as the Grand Canyon State, but the awe-inspiring natural beauty of our region extends beyond the Canyon’s borders. With a diverse terrain spanning across evergreen forests, alpine tundras, and snow-capped peaks, there are a vast range of hiking excursions to explore. Northern Arizona boasts the coolest temperatures state-wide making it a perfect hiking destination during the hot summer months. The Lava Flow Trail at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument offers adventurers unparalleled views from the black lava sand trail along the Bonito Lava Flow. In Central Arizona, discover the greenest desert in the world surrounded by the rugged mountains, grassland valleys, and deep canyons dotted with colossal saguaro cacti. The short 2-mile loop of White Tank Waterfall trail reveals unique rock formations, multiple cactus varieties and depending on the weather, maybe even a waterfall.
Does Arizona have any natural wonders?
Arizona’s exceptional range of stunning landscapes makes it feel like natural wonders are around every turn. Journeying a little off the beaten path from Flagstaff and Sedona is Horseshoe Bend Canyon, where nature lovers will discover a true Arizona treasure. Short hiking trails offer visitors panoramic views of the canyon plunging 1,100 feet down to the Colorado River. The Saguaro National Park is a breathtaking destination for exploring the desert where hikers meander trails through saguaro, ocotillo, cholla, and prickly pear cacti against a backdrop of rugged mountains. Keep an eye out for native wildlife, bobcats, mule deer, and javelina are often spotted roaming the park. On rare occasions this region may even get a dusting of snow during the winter months!
What is the most beautiful aerial footage of Arizona?
Exploring the majestic scenery of the Grand Canyon State by land is a magical experience you’ll remember for a lifetime. However, aerial footage has the ability to capture the landscape from a breathtaking perspective offering a birds-eye view tour of our remarkable region. There is no shortage of incredible videos showcasing these distinctly rugged expanses and a quick online search for footage will keep you in awe for hours. Start your virtual journey with this drone footage of the Grand Canyon by Eugene Belsky, explore the stunning rock formations of The Wave with this video by Al Hansen, and see the spectacular Meteor Crater with this footage from Dave’s Drone Shop.
