Phoenix has several unique locations where you can take beautiful photos. Both natural wonders and man-made structures make great subjects to photograph. Next, we’ll explore the top 5 places in Phoenix for great photos.
1) The Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza is located in Old Town Scottsdale. Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza is a Scottsdale park that displays a variety of flowers. It is also home to the valley’s Statue of Love. Close by, there are several ponds and fountains that would make great backgrounds for photos. The area gets crowded as the day progresses, so the best time to take pictures here would be before 9am (before the crowds arrive).
2) Piestewa Peak Piestewa Peak, formerly known as Squaw Peak, is located in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. Piestewa Peak is at an elevation of 2,608 feet. From the top of the peak, you can get a wonderful view of the landscape below. The Summit Trail that is part of this area draws four to ten thousand hikers each week, so if you don’t like crowds, be careful. In fact, this is one of the most used trails in the country. If you plan on biking with your team or spending some time with your dog while shooting, bikes and dogs are prohibited along the Summit Trail.
3) Papago Park is located in Phoenix, near Tempe. Similar to the beautiful red rock hills found in Sedona, Papago Park offers a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. You can reach the area by driving from Galvin Parkway (Van Buren is just south of Galvin Parkway). On the way to Papago Park, you can also take great photos at the Desert Botanical Garden and the Phoenix Zoo.
4) The Apache Trail (for off-road drivers) is one of the most scenic and challenging trails you can drive on. The trail begins about twenty-five miles east of downtown Phoenix at Apache Junction. Starting there and ending at Roosevelt Lake some 46 miles away, you’ll find some of the most picturesque scenery in the country. You can take photos of Theodore Roosevelt Dam or Lost Dutchman State Park. Plus, you can stop for a closer look at the Goldfield Ghost Town or Tonto National Monument. There are some real “gems” of photography here. Finally, the US Forest Service has named the Apache Trail the USFS Scenic Byway. While the trail is a great place to take wonderful pictures, you do need to be careful when driving as the terrain is quite challenging.
5) Freestone Park is located between Elliot and Guadalupe in Gilbert. Freestone Park has a number of water features that are great for taking photos. In addition to the natural surroundings, you can also take artistic photos of the amusement park located within Freestone Park. In addition, they also have a mini-train and a carousel for some good shots of the children.