Last updated: November 26, 2023
I’ve lived in Washington state for many years and have traveled extensively too, always coming home to a place that I feel was made for photographers and those who appreciate beautiful views. Here are a few of my favorites for the best places for photography in Washington state.
Best Places for Photography in Washington State
There are a huge number of photo spots in Washington, many of which have a lovely variety of other activities as well.
Seattle Area
Cherry Blossoms at the University of Washington
Logistics
- Distance from Seattle: in Seattle
- Distance to View: less than a mile, depending on parking
- Elevation to View: less than 50 feet, depending on parking
- Best season to go: usually the 3rd week of March
- Parking Pass: pay by meter
- There is a webcam overlooking the quad to keep tabs on bloom and enjoy the beauty from home.
- Paved, wheelchair accessible
One of the very best places to take pictures in Seattle, well-known throughout the Pacific Northwest. Bring a picnic basket and patience. It’s crowded here, but worth your effort.
Even if you don’t go at sunset, you’re not going to be disappointed. While there are over 100 Japanese cherry trees on campus, 29 of them are placed symmetrically in the Quad. The Quad is my personal favorite, despite the crowds.
Kerry Park
Logistics
- Distance from Seattle: in Seattle
- Distance to View: less than ½ mile, depending on parking
- Elevation to View: less than 50 feet, depending on parking
- Best season to go: year-round
- Paved, wheelchair accessible
One of the very best places to take pictures of the downtown Seattle skyline, especially at sunset. Bring a picnic basket and patience as it’s extremely crowded towards sunset.
Alki Beach
Logistics
- Distance from Seattle: in Seattle
- Distance to View: n/a
- Elevation to View: 0 feet
- Best season to go: year-round
- Paved, wheelchair accessible sidewalk
Another stunning location to photograph the Seattle skyline, especially at sunset. Alki Beach is a long strip of beach, allowing for more parking and less crowding, but it is still an extremely popular place at sunset.
Greater Seattle Area
Edmonds Marine Walkway
Logistics
- Distance from Seattle: 17.5, north
- Distance to View: less than 0.5 miles
- Elevation to View: n/a
- Best season to go: year-round
- Parking Pass: several parking lots available at Brackett’s Landing, Marina Beach Park or in between the two ends
Edmonds Marine Walkway is a mostly paved walkway connecting the beaches named above. You can spend the entire day here exploring their many beaches. Bring a picnic lunch and water, although there are restaurants along the way as well.
Snoqualmie Falls, Snoqualmie
Logistics
- Distance from Seattle: 28.6 miles, east
- Distance to View: 2 viewpoints, one less than 0.5 miles, the other less than 1 mile
- Elevation to View: less than 50 feet for both
- Best season to go: spring
- Parking Pass: You can park at the top in the pay parking lot, wheelchair accessible views; you can use the free parking lot across the road and take the sky bridge over; you can park at the bottom of the falls without a pass and walk less than 0.5 miles to the lower falls viewpoint
One of the easiest and best Washington pictures you can take. Especially beautiful in the spring but a treasure all year round. It’s possible to view the falls from the top without significant walking involved.
Alternatively, you can park at the bottom lot for a walk to the lower falls of less than a mile. This is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Washington and a must-see when visiting.
Snoqualmie Point Park
Logistics
- Distance from Seattle: 26.2, east
- Distance to View: less than 0.5 miles
- Elevation to View: 35 feet
- Best season to go: year round
- Parking Pass: Discover pass
- Wheelchair accessible
The view is beautiful from the covered area, with a scenic walk that extends from it. Beautiful for sunsets and star-gazing. Can be extremely crowded on certain days, such as red moons, expected meteor showers or anticipated northern lights viewing.
Lora Lee’s A-Maze-ing Sunflower Fields, Duvall
Logistics
- Distance from Seattle: 38 minutes, northeast
- Distance to View: less than 0.5 miles on dirt path
- Elevation to View: n/a
- Best season to go: August
- Parking Pass: comes with ticket purchase
- Dirt and natural surface paths
Is there anything happier than a field of sunflowers? A family operated business and a family friendly atmosphere. Some walking involved. A common photo shoot location for senior portraits, this farm does have a special fee for professional photographers and their guests.
Olympic Peninsula
Spruce Railroad Trail at Lake Crescent
Logistics
- Distance from Seattle: 125 miles northwest of Seattle
- Distance to View: 100 feet – 2 miles
- Elevation to View: 250 feet
- Best season to go: summer is best
- Paved dirt and boardwalk
The Spruce Railroad Trail around Lake Crescent is the longest wheelchair friendly trail in Olympic National Park. This trail runs along the north shore of one of the most visited lakes in Washington State.
Lavender Fields in Sequim
Logistics
- Distance from Seattle: 69 miles, northwest
- Distance to View: variable
- Elevation to View: n/a
- Best season to go: July
- Parking Pass: Parking with ticket purchase
- Sequim Lavender Festival street fair and farm tours start July 21 of 2023, with music, food and 100s of local venders
- Dirt and natural surface paths
While the festival is absolutely worth attending, it’s also extremely crowded. The lavender bloom extends before and after the peak season and many farms are open all summer.
I try to visit the week before the festival, before the onslaught of people and vehicles and make an effort to experience the many other fantastic things to do in Sequim as well.
Hurricane Hill
Logistics
- Distance from Seattle: 125 miles northwest of Seattle
- Distance to View: 100 feet – 3.2 miles
- Elevation to View: 25 feet
- Best season to go: summer is best
- Paved and gravel path
The views of the mountain ranges from the main visitor center are simply stunning. You can go up as far you want before turning around and still not be disappointed in the views on a clear day.
Ruby Beach
Logistics
- Distance from Seattle: 184.6 miles, west, via south then north
- Distance to View: short dirt trail down to the beach
- Elevation to View: less than 50 feet down
- Best season to go: summer
- Parking Pass: National Park Pass
- Obstacles in the form of driftwood scattered around, therefore not wheelchair accessible
One of the more popular beaches and one of the best photo spots in Washington State. And rightly so. Go for the views, the sand and the sea stacks. Stay for sunset.
Northern Washington
The drive north from Seattle to the North Cascades is an epic opportunity for photographers, from sunrise to sunset.
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
Logistics
- Distance from Seattle: 66 miles, north
- Distance to View: variable, you can see beautiful flowers from your car or walk all day if you like
- Elevation to View: n/a
- Best season to go: April
- Parking Pass: many locations require a fee for parking
- The Tulip Festival has an interactive map
- Mostly not paved; dirt path, natural surfaces
One of the best places for photography in Washington state, there is no place like Skagit Valley come tulip season. Fields and fields of beautiful, fragrant flowers, food and activities. RoozenGaarde and Tulip Town are by far the most popular, and crowded, but there are many others.
Diablo Lake
Logistics
- Distance from Seattle: 124 miles, northeast
- Distance to View: view from parking lot, or you can hike 7.4 miles round-trip
- Elevation to View: n/a
- Best season to go: summer
- Parking Pass: none
- Paved, wheelchair accessible
One of the best photography spots in Washington state. The colors are unreal. People will assume you’ve edited your photos. Bring a tripod and a picnic dinner, as sunsets are stunning. I’ve found it’s usually windy too, so a windbreaker might be helpful for you.
Skagit Valley Padilla Bay Trail
Logistics
- Distance from Seattle: 74 miles, north
- Distance to View: the entire length
- Elevation to View: 36 feet
- Best season to go: year round
- Parking Pass: n/a
- Wheelchair friendly trail and designated accessible parking lot along Route 20
A shallow tidal bay estuary with views the entire way. The views change subject to the tidal fluctuations. Phenomenal sunsets if the weather cooperates. Bring binoculars, sunscreen and sunshade.
Picture Lake
Logistics
- Distance from Seattle: 133 miles, northeast
- Distance to View: 0.5 miles
- Elevation to View: n/a
- Best season to go: summer
- Parking Pass: none
- Boardwalk, gravel surface, natural surfaces
Possibly one of the most photographed places in Washington for its’ mountain reflection. Incredible views at the lake, on the way up to and beyond to Artist Point if you’re willing and able to walk further.
Bellingham Boardwalk at Boulevard Park
Logistics
- Distance from Seattle: 90 miles north
- Distance: from the parking lot or walk the boardwalk
- Elevation to View: n/a
- Best season to go: year-round
- Parking Pass: free for 2 hours
- Paved or boardwalk surface
If you’re looking to for where to shoot outdoors in Washington state, this one is hard to beat. My absolute favorite place when I was going to college at Western Washington University.
A quietly busy and beautiful park and walk. Most of Bellingham has a great vibe and this one is no exception. Locals walk their dogs, go for a run and absorb the peaceful scenery.
Deception Pass State Park
Logistics
- Distance from Seattle: 82 miles north
- Distance to View: less than 0.5 miles
- Elevation to View: n/a
- Best season to go: summer
- Parking Pass: Discover Pass
- Excellent for sunsets, birdwatching and wildlife viewing
- 1.2 miles of ADA trails
The Sand Dunes Interpretive Trail is a 1.2 mile paved loop with scenic views that take you right to the beach. There’s a small section where the concrete is raised by a tree root that may prove challenging.
Eastern Washington
Palouse Falls
Logistics
- Distance from Seattle:269 miles, southeast
- Distance to View: less than 50 feet
- Elevation to View: n/a
- Best season to go: April through mid-July, depending on summer heat
- Parking Pass: Discover Pass
- You can see the falls from the overlook, wheelchair accessible
- You can take a short walk around the side for another view
- Official waterfall of Washington State
The waterfall is worth the drive and while there is a restroom available, there are no other facilities nearby.
Enchantment Park Loop, Leavenworth
Logistics
- Distance from Seattle:117 miles, east
- Distance to View: variable depending on parking
- Elevation to View: some moderate inclines on paved surface
- Best season to go: late spring and early summer to avoid heat and wildfire smoke
- Parking Pass: none
- Worth noting:
- Paved and compact dirt trails
Popular park for all ages, but less crowded on weekdays. Walk the 0.7 mile loop or find a spot for picnic and to watch the sunset. There are many benches and information posts along the way. Some areas of the paved trail are a slightly steeper than flat.
Iron Goat Loop
Logistics
- Distance from Seattle: 76 miles northeast Seattle
- Distance to View: 0.5-6 miles
- Elevation to View: 0-700 feet
- Best season to go: summer is best
- Barrier-free trail on converted railroad grade
A beautiful stroll through every shade of green. The suitability of this interpretive trail depends on the season and weather conditions.
Southern Washington
Little Tipsoo Lake, Mount Rainier National Park
Logistics
- Distance from Seattle: 86 miles, southeast
- Distance to View: less than 0.5 miles
- Elevation to View: 40 ft
- Best season to go: spring, summer and fall
- Parking Pass: entrance fee
- Road is closed in winter
- Natural, dirt surfaces
Little Tipsoo lake is across highway from Tipsoo lake and the trail is less maintained but more of a natural surface than a trail. The view of Mt Rainier in this photo is from the far side of the lake.
My favorite time to go is when there’s still a little ice on the lake but it’s melted enough to get the mountain reflection in the water on a clear day. It’s also especially stunning in the summer season, when the wildflowers are blooming.
Trail of Shadows
Logistics
- Distance from Seattle: 37 miles northeast Seattle
- Distance to View: 0.7 miles
- Elevation to View: 20 feet
- Best season to go: summer is best
- Dirt and boardwalk walking surface
Another beautiful loop through every shade of green, this one allows you to immerse yourself in nature rather than absorb epic landscape views.
Johnston Ridge Observatory, Mt St Helens
Logistics
- Distance from Seattle: 121 miles south
- Distance to View: from parking lot
- Elevation to View: from parking lot
- Best season to go: early summer or late fall
- Parking Pass: day pass
- Wheelchair accessible views
You can see the volcano and crater from the observatory, offering some of the best pictures to take in Washington. There is a 0.5 interpretive walk on the Eruption Trail with even more views. And there are a variety of more challenging hikes available as well.
Mount Rainier National Park and Mt St Helens National Volcanic Monument both have extensive opportunities for photography, with easy hiking or just driving around and pulling off the road at any of the many turnouts.
Wrap-up: Photography in Washington State
All of these are within a few hours drive from Seattle, and they’re all worth your time. Happy photo shooting!