3 Top Places to Shoot in Zion National Park
From Tamron Photographer Ken Hubbard
When it’s peak season in Zion National Park, it can be tricky to move through the crowds to get where you want to go. Plan ahead with these location suggestions from Ken Hubbard, field services manager for Tamron, so you can optimize your visit to have the most time shooting as possible for your Zion National Park photos. Want more suggestions on making the most of your photo trips? Check out our online Night Sky Photography course (relaunching soon), co-led by Hubbard and professional photographer André Costantini.
1. Checkerboard Mesa
For sunrise shots, you want to be on the east side of the Zion–Mt. Carmel Tunnel, Hubbard says. “There are so many great pullouts on the eastern side,” he says. He suggests starting at Checkerboard Mesa, where the cliff is scored with cross-hatched lines. Explore the pullouts near there to find a spot you like and wait for the sun.
Come here for night sky shots, too, Hubbard suggests. Even though there’s a bit of light pollution from the town of Springdale, Utah, you can still see the Milky Way with your naked eyes. “The light pollution from Springdale actually adds to the effect,” Hubbard says, as it backlights the trees.
2. Junction Bridge
For Zion National Park photos at sunset, head to Junction Bridge, which crosses the Virgin River and faces south toward Springdale and the Watchman, a stunning red-rock mountain. “If conditions are right, the setting sun will hit the Watchman and throw some really long light on it,” Hubbard says.
3. Observation Point
If you’re up for a long hike, take the East Rim trail to Observation Point, about 8.6 miles out and back. “Observation Point offers the best view of the entire valley, all the way into Springdale,” Hubbard says, and it’s a great spot to shoot sunset.
Ken Hubbard is the field services manager for Tamron. His portrait and landscape work has appeared in galleries nationwide and he teaches enthusiasts how to take better photos at workshops across the country.
Want to improve your game on Zion National Park photos with starry nights? Sign up for our online, 9-part Night Sky Photography course (relaunching soon), taught at your own pace by professional photographers André Costantini and Ken Hubbard.