Photography Guide

Photography Pointers

The Golden Rule: Keep it Simple. A photograph is not about an object, it is about light on an object. The best photographic light occurs early in the morning and late in the afternoon, as the lower angle of light adds depth. The warmth of the light deepens the redness of the rock into amazing hues, the very reason this land is often called “color country.”

Avoid taking pictures in the bright sun of mid day. Mornings and evenings are the best times to capture those award-winning images. This guide gives suggestions on making the most of your photographic journey through the park.

Park Avenue

Distance from the visitor center: 2.1 miles (3.8 km)
Best time of day: Late afternoon, sunset

Park Avenue is one of the most easily accessible areas in the park to view and to photograph. It is only 2.1 miles (3.4km) from the visitor center to the parking lot. The area got its name because it resembles the New York City Skyline. Mid morning or late afternoon will provide the best light. From the viewpoint, Queen Nefertiti stands tall to the left and is a beacon for light. The right side will glow in the late afternoon with nice shadows working up and down the wall.

Balanced Rock

Distance from the visitor center: 8.8 miles (14.1 km)
Best time of day: Morning or sunset.

The paved, accessible trail provides good close-up vantage points of Balanced Rock. From this trail, a wide angle lens works best. At sunset, Balanced Rock provides a great silhouette when photographed from the east side, especially if there are clouds in the western sky. Early evening will also accentuate the La Sal Mountains in the background and deepen reds in the rock.

The Windows

Distance from the visitor center: 11.3 miles (18.1 km)
Best time of the day: Turret Arch: Morning or late afternoon. North & South Window: Afternoon. East side, morning.

The Windows affords wonderful opportunities for photographs. There is an easy 1 mile (1.6km) round trip trail up to Turret Arch and North and South Window. Turret Arch is best in the morning or afternoon light. The Windows are best photographed in the warm light of late afternoon. There is a primitive trail that extends the hike one more mile (1.6km) that takes off on the south side of the South Window and goes around the back side (east) of both windows and loops through a gap on the north side of the North Window. This primitive loop offers great opportunities with early morning light. The classic shot of Turret Arch through the north window is made from this primitive trail.

Wolfe Ranch

Distance from the visitor center: 12.6 miles (0.2 km)
Best time of the day: Morning

At the beginning of the Delicate Arch Trail, you’ll find historic Wolfe Ranch. John Wesley Wolfe homesteaded this area around 1898. The weathered cabin, root cellar and corral are all that remain. Wolfe Ranch can be a tricky place to photograph. Early morning provides the best opportunity to capture the feeling of what life iwas like here over 100 years ago.

Delicate Arch

Distance from the visitor center: 12.6 miles (20.2 km)
Best time of the day: Late afternoon, sunset

Delicate Arch is Utah’s most notable icon. There can easily be forty or more people waiting for that perfect light on any given day. Take plenty of water with you and a flashlight. If you stay to capture the last bit of light, getting down can be a challenge in the dark. The strenous hike up to Delicate Arch is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) with an elevation gain of 480 feet (146 meters). Avoid the middle of the day in summer due to extreme heat. The afternoon light will cast a nice glow on the arch the later it gets. The La Sal Mountains make a nice backdrop especially in the spring when they are snowcapped.

Panorama Point

Distance: 13.6 miles/21.9 km
Best time of day: Morning, night (stars)

From this vantage point a photographer gets sweeping views of the Salt Valley, the La Sal Mountains as well as a nice overview of the Fiery Furnace. These are all expansive views so a zoom lens is highly recommended. Panorama Point is also a great location to photograph the night sky.

Broken Arch

Distance: 15.8 Miles (25.4 km)
Best time of day: Morning
From the parking area on the main park road, an easy 1.2 mile (2 km) hike goes out to Broken Arch. If you want to extend the experience the trail continues under Broken Arch and loops by the campground before intersecting back with the main trail. The full loop is 2 miles (3.2 km) from the parking area. As you approach the campground keep an eye out for Tapestry Arch, a wide opening that offers nice photographs.

Devils Garden Trailhead

Distance: 17.5 miles (28.1 km)
Best time of day: Morning.
– Pine Tree Arch: Morning.
Access: 0.4 mile (0.6 km) easy round trip hike
– Landscape Arch: Morning.
Acess: 1.6 mile (2.6 km) easy round trip hike
– Double O Arch: Early Morning, or afternoon.
Access: 4.2 miles (6.7 km) strenuous round trip hike
– Dark Angel: Morning. Access: 5.2 miles (8.4 km) strenuous round trip hike

Longest of the maintained trails in the park, the Devils Garden Trail leads to eight awe-inspiring arches. Highlights along the way include Landscape Arch, Double O Arch, and Dark Angel. Short side hikes will allow opportunities to photograph Pine Tree Arch, Tunnel Arch, Navajo Arch and Partition Arch. Beyond Landscape Arch, the trail is more challenging, with narrow ledges, hiking over rocky surface, and exposure to heights. This part of the trail is not recommended when rock is wet or snowy. The entire trail including the side hikes is 7.2 miles (11.5 km). A guide to the Devils Garden Trail is available here.