Utah Photo Location Guide

Where to Take Photos in Utah

Are you planning a trip to Utah and wanting to book a photoshoot while you’re here? Newly engaged looking for a location for your engagement session? Planning to get updated family photos somewhere near the Salt Lake Valley?

I created this location guide of some of my favorite locations around Salt Lake and Utah Counties to help you decide! I included lots of photos, information about entrance fees, seasons, and the best time of day to shoot at each location.

Tibble Fork Reservoir

This is a great location if you like mountains, trees, and lakes and it’s just about 20 minutes up American Fork Canyon. You can get great shots with the reservoir, some beautiful mountain views at several different spots in the area, and lots of trees. There’s a great view of Mt. Timpanogos as well. In early June, small yellow flowers pop up in the hilly field area behind the reservoir and the summer brings lots of vibrant greens. The fall is beautiful with the leaves changing and winter brings lots of snow. The pines get dusted with snow so it’s one of the better winter locations, especially because it’s easily accessible year round. There is a $6 fee to get into the canyon (yes - parking patrol does check and ticket) but if you have a National Park pass (aka America the Beautiful Pass), that’ll get you in without the fee!

Best time of day to shoot: morning, evening

Best season to shoot: spring, summer, fall, winter

Fee: $6 or America the Beautiful Pass

A couple enjoying a joyful moment outdoors in a mountainous landscape with snow-capped peaks and dense green trees in the background.
A couple stands close together in a snowy landscape, facing each other and smiling, with a background of snow-covered trees and a bright sky at sunset.
A bride and groom in wedding attire walking hand in hand through a snowy landscape with snow-covered trees and mountains in the background, smiling at each other.
A young couple walking hand-in-hand with two dogs in a grassy forested area with tall evergreen trees and mountains in the background.

Kyhv Peak Lookout

also pictured above

This is a great location for a MORNING session because the sun comes up behind the mountain. The mountain view is absolutely stunning with the layers of rock in the mountain and it’s great any time of year. Wildflowers will come in late spring and it gets green by summer. It’s also a great backdrop in the winter with the snow dusted mountains but can get chilly on those winter mornings!

Best time of day to shoot: morning

Best season to shoot: spring, summer, fall, winter

Fee: none

A couple embracing in a snowy mountainous landscape during winter.
A couple holding hands and walking along a dirt trail in a snowy, mountainous landscape during daytime.
A couple standing close together outdoors, touching foreheads and holding hands, with lush green hill and soft sunset light in the background.

Big Springs area in Provo Canyon

This location does require about 10 minutes of hiking up a hill. Once you get up the hill you’ll see a large open field of grass (the grass is green in spring/early summer and quickly turns yellow by midsummer). You’ll be surrounded by mountains in all directions and it really is a fantastic view. It can get pretty popular but it’s a large enough space that it’s not a huge deal. It’s a great location for summer when the snow is gone.

Best time of day to shoot: morning, evening

Best season to shoot: summer, fall

Fee: none

A couple holding hands and smiling at each other in a field of tall yellow grass with mountains in the background during fall.
A family with two adults and three children enjoying a playful moment in a grassy field with mountains and autumn foliage in the background.

Aspen Grove

A beautiful open field area in Provo Canyon that has beautiful mountain views and aspen trees. It’s beautiful in the summer, fall, and winter. Because it’s so close to the mountain, the sun goes behind the mountain earlier than most places which means your shoot will need to be earlier than somewhere in the valley. In the winter I’ve found that you’ll need to start shooting sometimes by 1:30 or 2:00 pm to catch any sun and sometimes the snow is way too high to even walk anywhere. It can be a great winter location but it’s one that you’ll have to keep an eye on leading up to the shoot. In the summer, Aspen Grove is lush and green and in the fall you’ll see the leaves changing colors - the aspens typically turn yellow but there are other colors sprinkled in. The parking lot is just past the toll booth where you’ll need to pay a $6 fee.

Best time of day to shoot: evening

Best season to shoot: spring, summer, fall, winter

Fee: $6

A bride and groom sharing an outdoor embrace in a lush mountain setting with trees and rocky hills in the background.
A young couple walks their dogs in a snowy mountain landscape with leafless trees and snow-covered peaks in the background.
A newlywed couple sharing a kiss in a green outdoor setting with mountains in the background. The man is wearing a blue suit, and the woman is in a white wedding dress with a veil.

Vivian Park

Vivian Park is easily accessible, just a short drive up Provo Canyon and easy parking. There’s a cute little non functioning railroad and train that make for cute photos. The Provo River is right by the park and there are lots of mountains and trees surrounding the area which make for a really pretty and easily accessible location.

Best time of day to shoot: evening

Best season to shoot: summer, fall

Fee: none

A man lifts a woman in his arms on a railway track, with a mountainous landscape in the background.
A smiling couple standing close together near a lake in a forested mountain setting, with trees and rocks in the background.
Bride and groom in wedding attire dancing in a grassy field with a dense forest of tall pine trees in the background.

Jordan Pines in Big Cottonwood Canyon

This one of my favorite locations at any time of year. It’s full of pine trees and gorgeous mountain views and there are several different areas where you can get different backdrops. The winter is beautiful with the snow covered pine trees. Just be aware that the snow can get pretty deep so snow boots are helpful! It stays snowy till May or June (sometimes it’s muddy when the snow is melting). In the summer it’s green and lush and full of aspens, pines, and grasses. The fall brings a mixture of yellows, oranges, and greens usually starting in late September/early October depending on the year.

Best time of day to shoot: morning, evening

Best season to shoot: spring, summer, fall, winter

Fee: none

A couple embracing and looking at each other in a snowy landscape with tall evergreen trees in the background.
A couple in wedding attire embracing in an outdoor scenic location with trees and mountains in the background, during sunset.
A couple dressed in wedding attire walking hand in hand outdoors in a lush green mountainous area, smiling at each other.
A couple embraces in a snowy landscape with pine trees and snow-covered mountains in the background.

Albion Basin

This is an extremely popular location in late summer (July or August) because the wildflowers are blooming and it’s one of the prettiest places in all of Utah. The wildflowers last for a few weeks to a month so it gets crowded with hikers and people doing photoshoots. Because of this, I strongly recommend doing your shoot in the morning at sunrise. You won’t have to fight crowds for parking, wait in long lines to get past the toll booth or wait to shoot at the best spots, and it’s a lot more quiet. Keep in mind there is also a $10 entry fee. If morning isn’t your jam, check out the next location for a great alternative!

Best time of day to shoot: morning

Best season to shoot: late summer

Fee: $10

Alta Ski Resort in Little Cottonwood Canyon

Just below Albion (and for no fee!) is Alta Ski Resort and it’s got the same vibes as Albion Basin but without the crazy crowds, lines, and parking issues. There are hiking trails all over where you can walk around and find lots of places to stop and take photos. The snow is usually melted by June or July and in the late summer (July/August) you’ll find wildflowers everywhere. There are lots of pines, other trees, and lots of other greenery. There’s also a great view of the mountains shooting outward toward the canyon opening.

Best time of day to shoot: morning, evening

Best season to shoot: late summer, fall

Fee: none

A bride and groom standing outdoors in a lush green mountain valley with tall trees and mountains in the background, during a wedding photoshoot.
A newlywed couple walking hand in hand on a forest trail during sunset, surrounded by tall evergreen trees and greenery.

Bonneville Salt Flats

also pictured above

About 1.5 hours from Salt Lake City, this is one of the most unique locations Utah has to offer. I love shooting at the Salt Flats because they go on for miles and miles with the mountains in the background and make for absolutely beautiful photos. During golden hour the sun brings some beautiful golden lighting and sun flares. Once the sun is down, the sky gets pink and purple and it’s really beautiful. During overcast days, the gray blue sky really brings out the vibrant white of the salt and it’s my favorite look of all. During the winter months, the flats will usually get flooded with a few inches of water (sometimes comes a little above the ankles). The water can be chilly but it creates a gorgeous reflection of the mountains in the background. Once the salt dries out, it creates cracks all around and it’s really unique and quite pretty. Make sure not to drive your car on the flats unless the salt is hard and dry! It’s really expensive to get towed out. During the summer and fall you’re usually pretty safe to drive out on them.

Best time of day to shoot: morning, evening

Best season to shoot: spring, summer, fall, winter

Fee: none

A smiling couple holding hands and running across a salt flat landscape with mountains in the background.
A couple sitting on a salt flat, embracing affectionately with mountains in the distance.
A couple stands outside on a snowy landscape with mountains in the background. The man embraces the woman from behind, showing her a watch on her wrist and smiling at her. Both are dressed in casual winter clothing.
A couple standing in shallow water by a lake, with mountains and a cloudy sky in the background.
A couple in wedding attire holding hands in a shallow lake with mountains and cloudy sky in the background.
A young couple embraces outdoors in a scenic mountainous landscape, smiling with eyes closed.

Empire Pass near Park City

This is one of my absolute favorite locations in Utah. It showcases so much of Utah’s beauty. From aspens, to flowers, to layers of mountains, to rocky cliffs, and a lake in the distance. The road to Empire Pass usually opens in late June/early July when the snow is melted. The wildflowers are usually blooming by mid to late July, there are aspens galore, and one of my favorite spots to end with is up on a rocky cliff area that overlooks Deer Creek Reservoir and Heber Valley with layers of mountains behind. It’s my favorite mountain view in Utah and it’s especially stunning during blue hour. I usually take my couples up the rocky cliff (don’t worry, you’re not hiking on the edge at all so it’s safe) at the end of the shoot during blue hour when the sky sometimes turns pink, blue, purple and the layers of mountains get kind of hazy. It’s just stunning.

Best time of day to shoot: morning, evening

Best season to shoot: summer, fall

Fee: none

A man and woman sharing a hug outdoors on a dirt path surrounded by greenery and wildflowers.
A romantic couple embracing in a grassy, green outdoor setting, smiling at each other.
A happy couple running and holding hands on a dirt trail in a lush green outdoor setting with a forest in the background.
A young couple sitting in a field of wildflowers, hugging and smiling with mountain scenery in the background.
A couple hugging on a rocky ledge overlooking a mountainous landscape with a lake and a sky filled with clouds.
A woman and man walking in a field with mountains in the background on a cloudy day.

McPolin Barn in Park City

This location is really easy to access and is great for evening photoshoots. You can either park on the side of the road or in a little parking lot across the street that has a tunnel to walk under the road to the barn. The barn and silos are cute, but the area behind it is what I love about this location. There are mountains in the backdrop, a huge field of tall grass, and usually around July you’ll get some cute white flowers.

Best time of day to shoot: evening

Best season to shoot: spring, summer, fall

Fee: none

A young man and woman holding hands and walking through a grassy field with a mountain and trees in the background.
A smiling woman with brown hair sitting on the grass, leaning into a man with short dark hair who is whispering in her ear while holding her hand, in front of a large stone structure.
A couple embracing and leaning their foreheads together outdoors next to a wooden fence in a green field with trees in the background.
A joyful couple holding hands and smiling at each other in a grassy field with rolling hills and a cloudy sky in the background.
A couple kissing in a grassy field with white flowers, green hills, and a partly cloudy sky in the background.

Park in Park City

also pictured above

With Park City being such a hot spot for ski trips, a lot of people like to get photos while there. It can be tough to find a mountain location in Park City during the winter because most of the canyon roads are closed due to high snow pack. These photos are at a cute little park with aspen and pine trees and is tucked away in a neighborhood, about 10 minutes from Park City Main Street. It’s a great spot for people looking for a quick location to get to after a day on the slopes. It’s usually covered in a few feet of snow during the winter but it’s packed down enough that you can walk around pretty easily.

Best time of day to shoot: evening

Best season to shoot: spring, summer, fall, winter

Fee: none

A couple standing close together in the snow, surrounded by evergreen trees, during winter.
Two women are playing and laughing in the snow in a forest of white birch trees, with one woman on top of the other in a lighthearted snow fight.
A happy couple walking hand in hand through a snowy forest, smiling and enjoying each other's company.

Little Sahara Sand Dunes

also pictured above

These sand dunes are 1.5 hours south of Salt Lake and there is an entrance fee of about $20. It’s SUCH a fun place to shoot because you can run around the sand, up and down the hills, roll around, and get some really cute shots. There are dunes for miles and on a clear day, the sky looks especially blue with the dunes in the shot. It’s a really cute place to go barefoot for pictures. You can go here in the winter but the sand can get wet and covered in snow so late spring, summer, and fall are the best times to shoot at this location.

Best time of day to shoot: morning, evening

Best season to shoot: spring, summer, fall

Fee: $20

A couple, one in military uniform and the other in a black dress, embracing and smiling in a desert landscape with sand dunes and a single tree in the background.
A couple, one in military camouflage uniform and the other in a black dress, holding hands and looking at each other in a desert landscape at sunset.
A woman in a black dress holding hands and walking with a man in military camouflage uniform across desert sand dunes during daytime.
A couple holding hands walking barefoot on a sandy dune with a blue sky and clouds above.

Tunnel Springs Park

Tunnel Springs is a very easily accessible park in North Salt Lake and it’s very pretty. You’ll drive up through some neighborhoods till you get to the top of the hill. It’s a large grassy field with rolling hills in the background. This location is best for a MORNING shoot because of where the sun rises behind the hills and it’s so much less crowded in the mornings. The evenings get extremely busy and it’s hard to not get people in your shot. I would recommend this location for spring and early summer. The grass gets really green and vibrant in the spring and by the summer it turns yellow. Each bring their own beauty! One other thing to watch for in the summer are rattlesnakes. I’ve never encountered one myself but others have reported seeing snakes in the area. I prefer spring (April-May) because it’s super green and snakes aren’t as bit of a worry!

Best time of day to shoot: morning

Best season to shoot: spring, summer

Fee: none

A couple holding hands and walking through a grassy field during sunset, smiling and laughing at each other.
A couple embracing outdoors during twilight, with the moon visible in the cloudy sky and green hills in the background.

Antelope Island

Antelope Island is a little further bit of a drive (about an hour from Salt Lake) and there is a $15 fee to get in. I definitely would NOT recommend this location during the summer or early fall because the bugs are horrible. You’ll leave with SO many bug bites and will encounter lots of big spiders... ugh. But it’s a GREAT location for early spring or even winter. The bugs will be almost nonexistent and you’ll have lovely views of the lake, fields with bison (remember to keep a distance from the bison), and a cute beach where you can run around for some fun photos. There’s also some fun rocks around the island, particularly at Ladyfinger Point.

Best time of day to shoot: morning, evening

Best season to shoot: spring, fall, winter

Fee: $15

A couple embracing and kissing in a rocky outdoor landscape with sparse vegetation, under a pale sky.
A couple standing close together, smiling and holding hands in a rocky outdoor landscape with greenery, sunlight shining from behind them.
A couple walking on a rocky trail near a lake during sunset, holding hands and looking at each other, with mountains in the background.

Ensign Peak

Ensign Peak is about a 5 minute drive from the capitol building. The best time to shoot here is in May when the yellow flowers come out. It’s a great spot for an evening shoot, though it is a steep climb. You can go as far up the trail as you want (but really just need to stay at the bottom half for the flowers and grassy hill in the background). Even after the flowers are gone in June, the grassy hill makes a really pretty backdrop. There’s a cute little wood fence and you can also get a cool view of the city!

Best time of day to shoot: evening

Best season to shoot: spring, summer

Fee: none

Red Ledges

This area is great if you want red rock vibes but don’t want to travel all the way down to Moab or southern Utah. Red Ledges is in Spanish Fork Canyon and has a cool natural arch, red rock, and red dirt. It’s a great location for spring when the trees in the mountains are still dead.

Best time of day to shoot: morning, evening

Best season to shoot: spring, summer, fall

Fee: none

A couple embracing outdoors in front of orange rock formations and a leafless tree.
A couple holding hands and smiling at each other in front of a large reddish-brown rock formation.

The Great Saltair

Behind the Saltair is a large flat dirt area that has Salt Flats vibes. It’s not as white and stunning as the Salt Flats, but it’s still a really cool and unique location with lots of space and about an hour closer to Salt Lake. The bugs can get pretty bad in the summer, so it’s best for cooler temperatures like in the spring and fall.

Best time of day to shoot: evening

Best season to shoot: spring, fall, winter

Fee: none

Loch Lomond Pond

This is a cute little park in American Fork that’s great for family photos or just for a quick and easy location without having to drive far. There are large trees in the background behind the pond and if you walk in through the trees there's some golden grasses. I love it because it’s right off the road and you can get a few different backdrops in the same location.

Best time of day to shoot: evening

Best season to shoot: spring, summer, fall

Fee: none

A woman walking outdoors with three children, two girls and a boy, holding hands and smiling in a sunny, wooded area.
A family of four standing outdoors near a pond, smiling at the camera. The family includes a woman, a man, and two children, a boy and a girl, with trees and water in the background.
A bride and groom stand facing each other under a classical white marble pavilion with columns, with greenery in the background. The bride is holding a bouquet of white and blue flowers, and the groom is dressed in a blue suit.
A bride and groom standing close together on steps outside a building with large columns, holding a bouquet of flowers.
A bride and groom in wedding attire under a pink blossoming tree by a river

Memory Grove Park

Just below the Utah State Capitol Building is this cute little park. There is a gazebo, pillars, a pond, bridge, and lots of trees. It’s especially pretty in the spring when the blossoms are on the trees. It is a dog park so it can get busy with people, but I’ve never had any issues with people getting in my shots. Sometimes you have to wait a few minutes for the gazebo but there are plenty of other spots around the park to get photos.

Best time of day to shoot: morning, evening

Best season to shoot: spring, summer, fall

Fee: none