Oh, America, the beautiful. We’ve had a lot of great ideas in the past, but few compare to the greatness of our National Park Service. Preserving the most beautiful areas of our country for generations to come? I could stand and applaud Teddy Roosevelt any day of the week for that decision. And as the summer approaches, the parks are beginning to warm up. Roads are beginning to open and the parks become fully accessible, which is perfect news for any landscape or wildlife photographer. The parks are buzzing with energy and activity, and it’s an exciting time, to say the least.
However, the United States is home to so many beautiful national parks, it’ll make your head spin. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to go first. So I’ve put together four national parks you should visit and shoot this summer, that offer amazing opportunities for any photographer.
Just remember, these parks, while popular and full of humans during the summer, are still wild. Make sure to always be keep a safe distance from any animals you may photograph or encounter. Bring the necessary equipment and supplies for your time in the parks. These places, while beautiful, can be treacherous, and dehydration can kick in fast, especially in the summer months. Stay on designated trails, and never hike or travel alone without telling someone of your plans. Carefully watch weather, as it changes fast. High alpine terrain can develop serious lightning storms that kill people every year. Seemingly innocent rain showers can quickly cause flash flooding that can turn deadly. Always maintain a healthy respect for the outdoors. A mistake in these parks can be unforgiving.
Finally, remember to leave these beautiful places better than you found it. Your photography should have no impact or leave no trace on the land. As parks tighten rules on cameras, drones, and equipment like tripods and monopods, do respect them, as these rules are there to preserve the parks for years to come.
1. Grand Teton National Park
People know the northwestern tip of Wyoming for Yellowstone National Park — a.k.a. Nature’s Disney World, as I affectionately call it. But just below it lies one of my favorite parks in the States. Grand Teton National Park is a marvel. The Tetons rise out of the Wyoming plains and beckon you to explore. They will leave an impression on you, and will make you want to go back over and over again.
While the weather in the Tetons can turn quickly, like any mountain range, if you catch the mountains on a good day, with clear skies, you will never forget it. Sunrise or sunset at spots like the Snake River Outlook and Schwabacher’s Landing are surreal. The park is home to several massive, glacier carved lakes like Jenny and Jackson Lake, and the waters are clear and stunning.
Due to its large water sources and vast plains, Grand Teton National Park is home to some of the most incredible wildlife you will see in the American West. You will frequently see buffalo, elk, deer, moose, and bears, as well as a countless species of birds. Not to mention, the National Elk Refuge is right next door. Simply put, this is an outdoor photographer’s paradise, and you need to put it at the top of your list. Just make sure you stay safe among the wildlife and terrain, taking the precautions necessary to ensure your own safety.
2. Olympic National Park
Magical beaches, snow capped mountains, and lush, temperate rainforests? Yes, please. Olympic National Park is easily the most diverse national park in the United States. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a place that offers so much diversity. Beaches like Second Beach, Rialto Beach, and Ruby Beach offer iconic sea stacks that will leave you standing in awe.
And while you won’t see palm trees, you will be welcomed by evergreen trees that lines the beach and sea stacks, creating a scene that is out of this world. I highly recommend mornings and evenings on these beaches. You will capture shots that you only dreamed of shooting.
But the best part of Olympic? Just a few miles into the park are incredible temperate rainforests like the Hoh and Rialto Rainforests that are so green and lush, you’ll feel as if you’re on another planet. Sol Duc Falls lies on the edge of these rainforests, and offers a three-plume waterfall unlike any other on earth. Then, head up Hurricane Ridge, a high alpine road that offers 360-degree views of the Olympic Mountains. These views will take your breath away and offer amazing opportunities for photography of the snow-capped peaks and alpine creatures like marmots, pikas, and mountain goats that call them home. Do yourself a favor, and head to the Pacific Northwest to experience this stunningly diverse park.
3. Zion National Park
Zion is a park that you have to see to believe. It is a true desert oasis and an American icon. The surrounding area looks desolate, dry, and barren, but when you drive into Zion Canyon, a massive formation, miles wide, with sheer rock walls that rise thousands of feet, await you. There is something so incredible about seeing the oranges and yellows of sandstone mixed with the greens of the Virgin River and the vegetation that grows so easily there. It is such a stark contrast that beckons to be photographed.
Zion has such an amazing combination of epic and intimate, from wide, sweeping canyon views, to slot canyons that are only several feet wide. Zion also has one of the most iconic places for a sunset photograph. The Watchman, a massive tower of sandstone that looks over the entire Zion valley, lights up during golden hour and sunset, and the Virgin River perfectly snakes through, offering a world-class shot. The best part? It’s easily accessible right off the main road. Just make sure to give yourself plenty of time to set up, because people line the bridge where the shot is best framed, and spots fill up quickly.
4. Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is special, and is a place you’ll want to come back over and over again. There’s something about that high mountain air and the beauty of the Rocky Mountains that is so welcoming. There are several alpine lakes like Emerald Lake, the Loch, and Sky Pond, that are strikingly beautiful to photograph, framed by mountains that are some of the most recognizable in the United States.
The park is also home to one of the most unique and daunting mountains to shoot: Longs Peak. Soaring over 14,000 feet, it dominates the landscape with it’s knob-shaped summit. I’ve climbed this mountain, and the views from the summit are staggering. While the summit bid is only for seasoned climbers and hikers, Longs Peak offers a slightly less intimidating hike to Chasm Lake, that is nestled on the east side of the of the mountain. It is majestic to shoot in the morning, when the clouds wrap around the summit.
Summertime is when the park comes alive, and in July and August, thousands of wildflowers dot the landscape. If you’re lucky enough, you may experience the elk migration, as hundreds of the animals come down from the north to breed. Trail Ridge Road also opens up, which is the highest paved road in any national park in the United States. It offers incredible, 360-degree views of the Rocky Mountains, with ample opportunities to shoot wildlife and the vast alpine environment. Rocky Mountain National Park is an American beauty, and a trip in the summer will be one you will never forget.
Disclaimer: These are just four suggestions I personally love, and this is in no way a ranking of my favorite parks. There are several I could have listed — Glacier or Yosemite, for example — but the purpose of this article was to simplify, not complicate, so that’s why I kept it to just these four. I hope this information helps you choose what national parks to visit and photograph this summer.
