Oregon, a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, is renowned for its diverse and majestic natural beauty. From rugged coastlines and lush green forests to snow-capped volcanoes and colorful high deserts, Oregon is a paradise for landscape photography enthusiasts. With countless stunning locations, choosing where to shoot can be an exciting challenge. This article will introduce you to some of the most impressive landscape photography spots in Oregon, helping you plan your exploration and capture incredible natural moments.
Oregon Coast: A Symphony of Rocks and Waves
The Oregon Coast, stretching over 360 miles (580km), is one of the most beautiful and pristine coastlines in America. It attracts visitors not only with its long, sandy beaches but also with towering cliffs, magnificent sea stacks, and lush coastal forests. The Oregon Coast is a living natural painting, constantly changing with the time of day and season, offering endless creative opportunities for photographers.
Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock
Cannon Beach is perhaps the most famous beach in Oregon, and Haystack Rock, a massive 235-foot (72-meter) sea stack, is its unmistakable icon. At sunrise or sunset, when the sunlight paints the beach and the rock golden, the scene becomes incredibly romantic and magical. Low tide is also an ideal time to explore the rich ecosystem around Haystack Rock, with tide pools teeming with starfish, anemones, and other small marine creatures.
A wide sandy beach with gentle waves and buildings in the distance.
Ecola State Park
Located just north of Cannon Beach, Ecola State Park offers panoramic views of Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock from above. The park has numerous hiking trails leading to various viewpoints, each offering a unique perspective of the coastline. In particular, Indian Beach, a small beach nestled within the park, is a great spot for photographing sunsets and waves crashing against the rocks.
Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor is a 12-mile (19km) stretch of coastline in southern Oregon, famous for its dramatic cliffs, natural rock arches, and isolated sea stacks. Highlights in this area include Natural Bridges, where you can admire stunning natural arches, and Secret Beach, a hidden beach with a wild and peaceful atmosphere. Sunset at Samuel H. Boardman is an unforgettable experience, as the sky and sea blend together in vibrant colors.
Crater Lake National Park: Deep Blue Sapphire Lake
Crater Lake National Park is a gem of Oregon, famous for its deep Crater Lake, formed in the caldera of a collapsed volcano. This sapphire-blue lake is surrounded by towering cliffs, creating a majestic and magnificent landscape. Crater Lake is not only a popular tourist destination but also an ideal destination for landscape photographers.
Rim Village and Phantom Ship
Rim Village is the heart of Crater Lake National Park, where you can find the visitor information center, gift shop, and the historic Crater Lake Lodge. From Rim Village, you can easily access Rim Drive, the road circling the caldera rim, with countless viewpoints for sightseeing and photography. Phantom Ship, a small rocky island rising from the lake’s surface, is an interesting subject to photograph, especially at sunrise when the morning light illuminates the island.
A volcanic landscape with lava rocks and steam rising from vents.
Discovery Point Trail and Watchman Overlook
Discovery Point Trail is one of the most popular hiking trails in Crater Lake, leading to Discovery Point, where John Wesley Hillman is believed to have “discovered” Crater Lake in 1853. From Discovery Point, you can admire panoramic views of Crater Lake and Wizard Island, a cone-shaped island rising from the lake. Watchman Overlook, located east of Rim Village, is another excellent viewpoint, especially at sunset, when the evening light paints the surrounding cliffs golden.
Columbia River Gorge: Waterfalls and Winding Roads
The Columbia River Gorge is a deep and long gorge, carved by the Columbia River as it flows through the Cascade Mountains. It is famous for its majestic waterfalls, lush forests, and winding roads along the river. The Columbia River Gorge is an ideal destination for those who love nature photography and adventure.
Multnomah Falls
Multnomah Falls is perhaps the most famous waterfall in Oregon and one of the most photographed waterfalls in the United States. This two-tiered waterfall cascades down from a height of 620 feet (189 meters), creating an incredibly impressive scene. Benson Bridge, spanning the second tier of the falls, is a great location to photograph the entire waterfall and the surrounding scenery.
Oneonta Gorge and Bridal Veil Falls
Oneonta Gorge is a narrow and damp gorge, with moss-covered rock walls and ferns. Hiking through this gorge is an exciting experience, leading to the hidden Lower Oneonta Falls at the end of the gorge. Bridal Veil Falls, another waterfall nearby, is also worth visiting, especially in spring when the waterfall is full of water from snowmelt.
A dry, mountainous landscape with sparse vegetation under a blue sky.
Painted Hills: Hills of Vibrant Colors
Painted Hills, located in the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, is a unique geological wonder of Oregon. The hills here are formed from layers of clay, with various colors such as red, orange, yellow, and black, creating an incredibly impressive and surreal landscape. The best time to photograph Painted Hills is in the early morning or late afternoon when the sunlight highlights the vibrant colors of the hills.
Painted Cove Trail and Carroll Rim Trail
Painted Cove Trail is a short and easy hiking trail that takes you close to the Painted Hills, allowing you to admire the colorful clay layers up close. Carroll Rim Trail is a longer and more challenging trail, but the reward is a stunning panoramic view of the entire Painted Hills area from above.
Smith Rock State Park: Paradise for Climbers and Photographers
Smith Rock State Park is a popular state park in central Oregon, famous for its towering basalt cliffs, deep canyons, and the winding Crooked River. Smith Rock is a paradise for rock climbers, but also a great location for landscape photography.
Misery Ridge Trail and Monkey Face
Misery Ridge Trail is a challenging hiking trail leading to the summit of Misery Ridge, where you can admire panoramic views of Smith Rock State Park and the surrounding countryside. Monkey Face, a unique monkey-face-shaped rock formation, is a popular subject to photograph at Smith Rock, especially at sunset when the sunlight illuminates the rock.
A cityscape at night with a brightly lit tall tower dominating the skyline.
Mount Hood National Forest: Snow-Capped Volcano and Blue Lakes
Mount Hood National Forest surrounds Mount Hood, Oregon’s highest volcano, offering majestic mountain landscapes, dense forests, and clear blue lakes. It is an ideal destination for those who love outdoor activities and nature photography.
Trillium Lake and Mirror Lake
Trillium Lake and Mirror Lake are two famous lakes in Mount Hood National Forest, known for their stunning reflections of Mount Hood on the lake surface. Sunrise and sunset are ideal times to photograph at these two lakes, when the lake is calm and the light is soft.
Timberline Lodge and Tamanawas Falls
Timberline Lodge is a historic hotel located on the slopes of Mount Hood, at an elevation of 6,000 feet (1,800 meters). This hotel is not only a luxurious resort but also an excellent viewpoint to admire the surrounding mountain scenery. Tamanawas Falls, a hidden waterfall in the forest, is also an interesting destination to explore and photograph.
Conclusion
Oregon is a diverse and rich state in terms of natural landscapes, offering countless opportunities for impressive landscape photography. From pristine coastlines, deep lakes, majestic gorges, colorful hills, to snow-capped volcanoes, each location in Oregon has its own unique and distinctive beauty. Hopefully, this article has provided you with useful suggestions to explore and capture wonderful natural moments in Oregon. Prepare your camera, plan your trip, and discover the endless beauty of this state!