10 BEST Spots For Arizona Pictures

December 23, 2024

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The American Southwest is a gorgeous place full of natural beauty and expression, and perhaps none are as beautiful as the places captured in Arizona pictures. Many people think of Arizona as a dry desert void of life and interesting locations, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Places like the smooth, unmistakable sights of Upper Antelope Canyon, or the soaring towers of Monument Valley Park prove that this state is a gift full of one of a kind landscapes.
So many of these spots are instantly recognizable. So many of these spots are what you think of when it comes to the American Southwest. And so many of these spots show why the best Arizona pictures are among the best in the United States.

So keep scrolling to see the 10 BEST SPOTS FOR ARIZONA PICTURES!

1.) Upper Antelope Canyon

Upper Antelope Canyon is a place so synonymous with Arizona pictures that it needs no introduction. One look at the smooth and colored sandstone walls, and you know it can only be one majestic canyon.

BEST TYPE OF PICTURE
– Travel and Nature

BEST SPOT
– Under the Arizona Sunset formation

BEST TIME
– Midday for sunbeams shining through

Pro tip- Book reservations early, as tours are almost always sold out.

2.) Horseshoe Bend

Another of the best spots for Arizona pictures is, of course, none other than Horseshoe Bend. Here, you can snap off photo after photo from the stunning cliffsides roughly 1000 feet above the Colorado River as the perfectly picturesque curve wraps around the setting sun. Does it get better than this?

BEST TYPE OF PICTURE
– Landscape

BEST SPOT
– Along the right-hand cliffside

BEST TIME
– Sunset

Pro tip- Get there at least 1 hour before sunset so you can find your perfect shot before the mass group of people arrive.

3.) Sedona

Of course, no list of the best Arizona pictures would be complete without Sedona. A place where red rocks soar over streams and desert landscapes. Sedona showcases what makes Arizona so special. With its natural beauty that can be seen from a number of the awesome hikes like Devil’s Bridge, Cathedral Rock, and Lover’s Knoll, it’s no wonder this is a go to spot within Arizona.

BEST TYPE OF PICTURE
– Nature and Landscape

BEST SPOT
– Lover’s Knoll

BEST TIME
– Sunrise, to see the sun cresting over the landscape

Pro tip- Try heading into town for some fun activities and pictures of the small southwest town that is Sedona.

4.) Camelback Mountain

It’s not very well known, but Phoenix is actually a very beautiful city. With tons of natural elements, vibrant art, and the gigantic Camelback Mountain. At the center of the valley, Camelback Mountain is an outdoor photographer’s playground. Capturing the sights of the city and expansive views are why this spot is a must.

BEST TYPE OF PICTURE
– Panorama and Landscape

BEST SPOT
– At the peak

BEST TIME
– Sunrise, for spectacular lighting over the whole valley

Pro tip- Make sure to get here at least 1 hour before sunrise so you have time to hike up the mountain before the sun reaches the horizon.

5.) Biosphere 2

Often overlooked due to its remote location, the Biosphere 2 is one of the most intriguing spots for Arizona pictures. Here, you can look forward to framing many different biomes, like a tropical rainforest or an indoor ocean. Even though it’s a bit out of the way, taking fantastic pictures of a spot most people haven’t even heard of is definitely worth the trip.

BEST TYPE OF PICTURE
– Urban and Cityscape

BEST SPOT
– Under the pavilion

BEST TIME
– Evening, for softer skies set against the oval structure.

Pro tip- Explore as much of the Biosphere 2 grounds as possible because each area offers a unique picture opportunity.

6.) An Arizona Fall League Park

Baseball is one of the most picturesque sports in the world. With finely groomed fields, open outdoor ballparks, and sunsets that rival any spot in the world, perhaps no ballpark is more stunning than those of the Arizona Fall League. At a smaller scale and plenty of green spaces, these ballparks open themselves up to the wonderful sights found within Arizona.

BEST TYPE OF PICTURE
– Travel and Sports

BEST SPOT
– Sloan Park

BEST TIME
– A night game to see the sunset over the sky

Pro tip- All of the Arizona Fall League parks offer great views, but Sloan Park and Camelback Ranch are the most picturesque.

7.) Monument Valley Park

Featured in many movies and TV shows, Monument Valley Park is the ideal location for impressing everyone with your scenic pictures. Whether you’re at John Ford Point, the Visitor Center Overlook, the Scenic Drive, or even the nearby Forest Gump Point, you’re guaranteed to capture shots that present the towering monuments in the most gorgeous of ways.

BEST TYPE OF PICTURE
– Landscape

BEST SPOT
– Artist’s Point

BEST TIME
– Sunset, for one of the best sights in the state

Pro tip- If you stay at one of the cabins or the View Hotel, you can head into the park at night for fantastic starry night pictures.

8.) Page Shores Amphitheater

Normally, you wouldn’t think of a random spot behind a gas station would be a good picture spot, but the Page Shores Amphitheater changes that. Just a short hike from the Shell gas station, these natural formations are a fun series of caves and cutouts perfect for exploring!

BEST TYPE OF PICTURE
– Travel and Abstract

BEST SPOT
– The first open cave Northeast of the gas station

BEST TIME
– Morning, for the best light and few people

Pro tip- Walk around the whole area to find little nooks and crannies that are great for different pictures.

9.) Saguaro National Park

If you’re looking for Arizona pictures that scream the American southwest, then this is the spot for you. Miles of open terrain littered with millions (that’s right, Millions) of cacti. From the short and oddly shaped prickly pear cactus to towering saguaros, the scenes at Saguaro National Park are sure to be great… and sharp. 🌵

BEST TYPE OF PICTURE
– Plant and Astrophotography

BEST SPOT
– Javalina Rocks

BEST TIME
– Sunset, for great shots of cacti in front of the setting sun

Pro tip- Wear pants and long sleeve shirts unless you want to experience what cacti really feel like.

10.) Meteor Crater

Meteor Crater is another of the many locations that make Arizona pictures so unique. At nearly 1 mile wide, this colossal Crater marks the remnants of an ancient 150ft meteor that slammed into the Arizona landscape. Few places in the world offer this kind of natural picture, especially at this scale.