7 Best PHOTOGRAPHY LOCATIONS in ARCHES National Park (+Useful Photo Tips)

GOOD TO KNOW: The best way to get started exploring Arches National Park is to take the Scenic Drive in Arches National Park, which winds around the park and takes you to some of the best viewpoints.

PRO TIP: If you are planning a trip to Arches National Park, then do not miss a visit to Canyonlands National Park. It is an awesome place to explore! Check out my posts: One Day in Island in the Sky at Canyonlands National Park and One Day in The Needles at Canyonlands National Park (8 Things You Can’t Miss)

Did you know that right in-between Arches and Canyonlands is Dead Horse Point State Park? It is a narrow mesa with 2,000 feet high cliffs and Green and Colorado Rivers below it. Don’t miss it! The views at this place are off the charts: How to Spend One Day at Dead Horse State Park, Utah

Hands down, Park Avenue Viewpoint and Trail are my favorite photography location in Arches National Park. The view of the canyon surrounded by jagged walls is absolutely stunning.

Park Avenue Viewpoint and Trail are located about 2.5 miles north of the Visitor Center on Arches Scenic Drive.

The Three Gossips, the Courthouse Towers, Queen Nefertiti and Queen Victoria Rock, the Organ, and the Tower of Babel are all visible from the viewpoint. You will be able to take awesome photos right from the viewpoint.

However, it makes a big difference if you take the trail down to the canyon and photograph these huge formations up close. Park Avenue Trail is a 1-mile one-way easy/moderate trail with a steep decline into the canyon. Once you are at the bottom of the canyon, the trail levels off. However, you will have a fairly strenuous climb on the way back.

Park Avenue is a great place to photograph at any time of the day, however, my recommendation is to get there in the early to mid-afternoon when the setting sun lights up the canyon and brings out the colors of red and orange.

This stunning corridor of towering sandstone monoliths will have you taking tons of photos. Capture the dramatic formations from different angles to showcase their grandeur and unique textures. Experiment with wide-angle lenses to include the entire scene.

Delicate Arch is one of the most famous geologic features in the world. It has become the symbol of Utah appearing on many of its license plates.

There are two options to photograph it: you can either take a Delicate Arch Trail (3 miles roundtrip) or you can go to Upper or Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint (at the end of the road).

Honestly, nothing beats hiking to Delicate Arch and photographing Delicate Arch from the trail and then up close.

To get to Delicate Arch Trailhead follow Arches Scenic Drive. At 9.2 miles from the park entrance, you will get to a junction in the road. Turn right at the junction and follow the signs for Delicate Arch Trail.

The trail to Delicate Arch is fairly strenuous with an elevation gain of 480 feet. For the first half-mile, it is a well-defined trail. Then, it starts to climb at a sharp incline before it levels off toward the top. Just before you get to Delicate Arch, the trail traverses a narrow rock ledge for about 200 yards. Once you are past this last section, you will have the most stunning view of Delicate Arch standing alone in a large natural sandstone bowl at the top of one of the park’s famous fins against the multitude of horizontal planes around it.

Delicate Arch is best photographed during the Golden Hour, when the daylight is redder and softer.

With that being the case, you will have plenty of company at this popular spot before and at sunset. So, arrive early and secure the best place. Make sure to hang around after the sunset for the Blue Hour, when the sun is significantly below the horizon and the remaining sunlight takes on a blue color.

Courthouse Towers Viewpoint is another one of my favorite photography locations in Arches National Park.

Located on Scenic Drive in Arches, just past Park Avenue Viewpoint and Trail, Courthouse Towers Viewpoint is the best photo spot to not only photograph the massive Courthouse Towers jutting out of the desert and flanking the western side of Park Avenue, but also several other famous rock formations like Three Gossips, Sheep Rock, the Organ, and the Tower of Babel.

While Park Avenue is the best to photograph in mid-morning or mid-afternoon, Courthouse Towers, Three Gossips, and surrounding rock formations are the best to photograph shortly after sunrise. They are all in an open area and the first sun rays beautifully illuminate the yellow and orange colors of these rock formations.

Balanced Rock is another famous rock formation in Arches National Park that is very popular to photograph.

The viewpoint and trail are located on Arches Scenic Drive right before the junction leading to the Windows Section.

First of all, it is difficult to capture a good image that shows how precariously balanced this rock is. So, give yourself some time to catch the right angle. Second, hike a short trail that circles the base of the rock. It will provide different views of Balanced Rock.

The best time to photograph Balanced Rock is at sunset when the setting sun brings out all the colors.

The Windows Section in Arches National Park has several arches that you can photograph from different angles and distances.

To get to the Windows Section, follow Arches Scenic Drive and when you get to the junction right past Balanced Rock turn right. Next, follow the road to the end. Here, you will have several trailheads leading to Double Arch, South and North Windows, and Turret Arch.

There is no doubt that the most famous composition of arches is the Turret Arch framed by the North Window. The best time to photograph Turret Arch framed by the North Window is early in the morning. First of all, take the trail leading to the North Window and scramble through the window to a small section located on the left-hand side. From this small perch, you will be able to photograph Turret Arch beautifully framed by the North Window.

Also, if you want to take some great photos of Turret Arch, then take the short trail that runs on the western side of Turret Arch. The best time to photograph Turret Arch from this location is late in the afternoon.

Another great photo that you can capture is of both the North and South Windows inside the single fin. The best way to do it is to take the primitive trail that runs in the back of the two windows.

Finally, make your way to Double Arch. It is one of the most dramatic arch formations in Arches National Park. The best time to photograph Double Arch is probably in the early to mid-morning.

At the end of Scenic Drive in Arches National Park are the Devils Garden parking lot and the trailhead that leads to Devils Garden Trail, the most spectacular hike in Arches National Park.

The entire Devils Garden Trail is 7.2 miles long. However, if you are not up to hiking the entire trail, it can be broken down into more manageable sections. If you can only do one section, then hands down, hike to Landscape Arch. It is one of the most spectacular arches in the park.

It is about 1.9 miles from the trailhead before you will reach Landscape Arch and it should take you about 50 minutes. It is a relatively flat section of Devils Garden Trail.

Landscape Arch is 290 feet long and it is believed to be the longest natural rock span in the world.

The best time to photograph Landscape Arch is in the morning. There are no shadows and the arch is pretty much in full sun. However, my favorite time to photograph Landscape Arch is at or right after sunrise when the sun rays illuminate the arch.

Once you reach Landscape Arch, the Devils Garden Trail becomes a bit more difficult. You will have to do some rock scrambling, and pass by some narrow ledges.

In 4.1 miles, you will reach another stunning arch, Double O Arch. It’s a great location to photograph in the early morning as well as late afternoon since both sides of Double O arch are accessible.

Sand Dune Arch is located right before Devils Garden Trail and can be accessed from either Sand Dune Arch Trailhead or the Devils Garden Campground.

The arch is not easy to photograph because it sits in the shade for most of the day. However, it is a pretty stunning location to photograph since the arch is flanked by two large sandstone fins and surrounded by sand at its base.

Right next to Sand Dune Arch is Broken Arch. It is not as photogenic as Sand Dune Arch, but still worth checking out.

Sunrise is a great time to photograph in Arches National Park. However, sunsets can be as spectacular!

Actually, to be specific, the best light is about 15-30 minutes before sunrise or 10-15 minutes after sunset. It is the proverbial “golden hour” during which the daylight is softer and redder. Needless to say, it is the time during which the arches start to glow.

So how do get the best photos of the stunning rock formations at sunrise or sunset in Arches National Park? Here are some recommendations:

• Research and Scout Locations: Before your visit, research the park’s iconic arches and viewpoints that are especially photogenic during sunrise or sunset. Delicate Arch, Windows Section, and Balanced Rock are popular spots, but there are numerous other hidden gems worth exploring. Use online resources, maps, and photography forums to gather information and plan your itinerary.
• Arrive Early or Stay Late: To capture the soft, warm light of sunrise or sunset, be prepared to arrive early or stay late in the park. The changing light during these hours creates a magical atmosphere and adds depth and drama to your images.
• Use a Tripod: Stability is key for capturing sharp and well-exposed images during low-light conditions. Bring a sturdy tripod to keep your camera steady and avoid camera shake. This will allow you to use longer shutter speeds without blurring your photos.
• Experiment with Composition: Arches National Park offers a multitude of composition opportunities. Experiment with different angles, perspectives, and framing to create visually striking images. Incorporate natural elements such as rocks, vegetation, or foreground interest to add depth and context to your photographs.
• Bracket Your Exposures: During sunrise or sunset, the dynamic range between the bright sky and darker foreground can be challenging to capture in a single exposure. Consider bracketing your exposures by taking multiple shots at different exposures or using the auto-bracketing feature on your camera. This will allow you to capture a wider range of tones and ensure well-exposed details in both the highlights and shadows.
• Shoot in RAW Format: Shooting in RAW format gives you more flexibility in post-processing, especially when dealing with challenging lighting conditions. RAW files retain more information, allowing you to adjust exposure, white balance, and other settings without sacrificing image quality.
• Capture the Golden Hour: The hour just after sunrise and the hour just before sunset, often referred to as the “golden hour,” provides a soft, warm light that can enhance the colors and textures of the park’s sandstone formations. Be prepared to take advantage of this magical period for stunning photographs.
• Experiment with Silhouettes: During sunrise or sunset, you can create striking silhouettes by positioning subjects against the vibrant sky. Use the park’s unique rock formations or people as silhouettes to add drama and intrigue to your images.
• Stay Patient and Observant: Nature’s light is ever-changing, so take the time to observe how the light interacts with the landscape. Be patient and wait for those moments when the light is at its most captivating. Use this time to appreciate the beauty of the park and enjoy the photography process.

Remember, while capturing stunning photographs is important, also take the time to immerse yourself in the experience and appreciate the awe-inspiring beauty of Arches National Park.