It’s easy to see why Oregon’s most popular places — think Crater Lake National Park or Silver Falls State Park — rank among the state’s most-photographed natural sites. If you’re planning to explore some of these famous photo ops, consider visiting on weekdays or during quieter seasons. Practicing Leave No Trace principles can also help to ensure that you and others can enjoy Oregon’s incredible beauty for generations to come.
Beyond the popular spots, Oregon abounds with spectacular vistas and enchanting trails that typically have only a fraction of the foot traffic. Capturing the perfect shot here not only creates memories of your trip, it makes your images stand out from the pack. You can also try visiting at a less-crowded time — on an overcast morning, for example — or capturing your subject matter with angles or subjects to create a mood. Consider these tips for even more ways to shoot an amazing photo of Oregon’s landscapes. To help you research the perfect location, here are some places to start.
Popular Spot: Smith Rock / Hidden Gem: Steins Pillar
Instead of popular climbing spot Smith Rock State Park in Central Oregon, head less than an hour’s drive east to 350-foot-tall Steins Pillar, another dazzling marvel that appeals to experienced climbers. But you can also make the stunning 4-mile round-trip hike through old-growth ponderosa pine forest and colorful wildflower meadows to stand at the base of this imposing monolith, which is actually a volcanic plug made of welded tuff rock.
Popular Spot: Wallowa Lake / Hidden Gem: Zumwalt Prairie
In Eastern Oregon, swimming in and boating around glacially carved Wallowa Lake State Park — and taking the Wallowa Lake Tramway to the top of 8,256-foot Mt. Howard for views of Joseph, the Wallowa Valley and the Eagle Cap Wilderness — is a delight. Only a fraction of visitors to Oregon’s rugged northeast corner, however, make the scenic hour-long drive from Joseph to Zumwalt Prairie Preserve, where splendid panoramas await. Home to picturesque elk, soaring eagles and other wildlife, this 51-square-mile tract managed by The Nature Conservancy protects one of the continent’s largest remaining bunchgrass prairies. Four short trails traverse scenic sections of the preserve, which bursts with wildflowers in late spring for a dramatic landscape shot.
Popular Spot: Ecola State Park / Hidden Gem: Cascade Head Preserve
Though Cannon Beach and the cliffs at nearby Ecola State Park are favorite destinations for Instagrammable coastal settings, near Lincoln City about 80 miles south, Cascade Head Preserve offers breathtaking scenery and fewer crowds. This windswept ocean cliff rises some 1,200 feet above the sea and is dotted with native grasses along with coastal paintbrush, blue violets and other wildflowers. It’s reached via the 4.7-mile in-and-out Lower Nature Conservancy Trail.
Popular Spot: Silver Falls State Park / Hidden Gem: McDowell Creek Falls County Park
After its critically acclaimed wine country, the lush Willamette River Valley is arguably best known for its roaring waterfalls. You can hike the 7.2-mile Trail of Ten Falls Loop to see stunning cascades at Silver Falls State Park.
A bit off the beaten path — about 10 miles outside the small town of Sweet Home — McDowell Creek Falls County Park makes for spectacular photos, too. Home to three gorgeous waterfalls that you can access along 3 miles of well-marked, cedar- and hemlock-shaded trails, the dramatic rush of water can be framed using wooden stairs, bridges and viewing decks.
Popular Spot: Crater Lake / Hidden Gem: Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument
Crater Lake is iconic Oregon. But beyond this beloved national park, Oregon offers dozens of other pristine lakes in Southern Oregon. Set amid the 170,686 unspoiled acres of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, Hyatt Reservoir and nearby Howard Prairie Lake create the setting for perfect action shots of various recreational opportunities, from kayaking and fishing for trout and smallmouth bass to bird-watching and alpine hiking along the Pacific Crest Trail.
Popular Spot: Washington Park / Hidden Gem: Nordic Northwest
Fringing downtown Portland, Washington Park stands out for its many destinations to visit, including the International Rose Test Garden, Portland Japanese Garden and renowned Oregon Zoo. For a fun outing with fewer people, spend an afternoon with your camera at the whimsical Nordic Northwest, a Scandinavian cultural destination that features concerts, film screenings and art exhibits.
On the campus, you’ll also find the sleek Nordia House culture center and a branch of the popular Broder Scandinavian cafe. Stroll a short wooded nature trail for a memorable photo op with the 19-foot-tall Ole Bolle Troll, part of the Northwest Trolls installation by Danish recycle sculpturist Thomas Dambo.
