5 Instagram-Worthy Places to Photograph in Utah
The state of Utah is known for being an outdoor wonderland, with unlimited hiking, rock climbing and river activities. However, Southern Utah has recently become a highly popular photography destination — and not just for professionals!
The vast deserts, rich colors and naturally photogenic wilderness landscapes make this Southwest destination a refreshing — and maybe unexpected — goldmine of picture-perfect nature backdrops for photographers.
Table of Contents
5 Instagram-Worthy Places to Photograph in Southern Utah
1. Zion National Park
Utah’s own “Grand Canyon.” There are limitless sites worthy of exploration in Zion, but I’ll limit my favorite spots to a handful!
Hike through — yes, through — the Virgin River at The Narrows, head to The Subway for an enchanting tube-like gorge, or challenge yourself with an intense trek up to Angels Landing. Observation Point and Scout Lookout offer amazing aerial views, while the uniquely lush Kolob Canyons can be explored from the ground up.
For the ultimate Instagram-potential pics, check out cool Airbnb glamping options like vintage airstream trailers or trendy convertible indoor-outdoor listings!
2. Babylon Arch in Red Cliffs Desert Reserve
Not only does the Babylon Arch serve as the perfect photo prop, but the easy hike leading up to this eye-catching rock formation only takes an hour or two — leaving you plenty of time to snap a few shots of this cool “hidden gem.”
The red-sand trail has awesome views of the river, and is best explored in late afternoon hours when the stunning sunset casts the perfect lighting for photos.
3. Yant Flat (Candy Cliffs)
There’s no question why Yant Flat is nicknamed “Candy Cliffs;” the beautifully marbled red rock looks like something straight from a Dr. Seuss animation.
Expect to spend at least a couple hours round trip on this hike, and more if you plan to do any real shooting (which you most definitely should). Vibrant blue skies contrast against the colorful earth to create stunning photos year-round!
4. Snow Canyon State Park
At Snow Canyon, you have the unique opportunity to ATV inside the park, but that’s not all — canyoneering, rock climbing and horseback trail rides through the Navajo sandstone formations make for some cool out-of-the-box experiences.
My favorite spots inside the park are Jenny’s Canyon, Whiterocks Amphitheater — a uniquely light-colored stone in contrast to the surrounding dark reds — and the Petrified Dunes at sunset. The luxury resorts and home rentals in and around the state park — like Red Mountain Resort & Spa — only add to the Instagram potential!
5. Quail Creek State Park
Now you didn’t think Utah was all desert and sand did you? This park’s creek-fed reservoir makes for great water shots, and its close proximity to both Snow Canyon and Zion make Quail Creek State Park an easy place to cool down and capture the area’s scenic surroundings.
Rental paddleboards, kayaks and water carpets are just an added bonus!
Plan Your Trip to Utah
After traveling consistently for over 10 years, we’ve come to trust and rely on a few websites to help us find the best deals on flights and accommodation.
Flights:
- Going is the first place we check when searching for cheap flights. If you sign up for their email alerts, you’ll receive flight deals at up to 90% off. I have traveled all over the world using their flight deals.
Accommodation:
- Booking.com offers savings on hotels, apartments, and villas in 80,000 destinations worldwide. You can browse hotel reviews and find the guaranteed best price on hotels for all budgets.
Pin it!
Read More:
Road Trip Guide to Utahโs Mighty 5 National Parks
10 Amazing Outdoor Adventures in Southern Utah
How to Choose the Best Shoes for Travel
The Ultimate Packing Guide for Travel Photographers
Thanks to Visit St. George and iExplore for an epic weekend of photography and exploring hidden gems in Southern Utah!
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Iโm also a member of other affiliate programs. For more info please read myย Privacy Policy
awesome places and thanks for sharing
Hi Christy,
Zion National Park looks incredibly gorgeous. From the other-worldly beauty to the stunning views, I have enjoyed it from afar via blogs. And via Instagram ๐ Thanks for sharing.
Ryan
WOW ! what a wonderful blog i liked your photos shown in this blog .Thanks for sharing such a amazing blog . keep posting like this .