8 Lesser-Known Photography Spots in Oregon
You don’t have to wander far to find an amazing view in Oregon. And chances are, most of outdoor instagram accounts you follow have at least a few photos from this great state. While the tourist spots like Multnomah Falls and Cannon Beach are no doubt incredible experiences, some of the best places to photograph probably won’t show up on your tour guide. Read below to find out eight of the lesser traveled, off-the-book spots to take a seat, watch a sunset and capture some truly one-of-a-kind photographs around Oregon.
Bandon Needles
South-Central Oregon Coast
Perfect Time of Day: Sunset
Wow Factor: Top Coastal Sunset, Archaic Rock Formations
The Bandon Needles | South-Central Oregon Coast
Perfect Time: Sunset
Wow Factor: Top Coastal Sunset, Archaic Rock Formations
Somewhat unknown by the masses, yet tucked away right off the 101, lies Bandon, Oregon. A town widely renowned for its world-class golf clubs. But what you may not know - it’s a photographer’s paradise.
I’ve lived in OR my whole life, spent plenty of time at the beaches here and in SW WA, but nothing prepared me for the epic primordial feel of Bandon’s beaches. A walk down the beach at sunset, catching sunbursts from behind tall jagged-pointed rock monoliths, aptly named “The Bandon Needles,” not only takes you back to the times before man but gets you some mighty fine photo content.
Mosier + Rowena Plateau
Columbia River Gorge
Perfect Time: Sunrise, Sunset, Late Afternoon
Wow Factor: Scenic Landscapes, Contrast, Lighting
2. Mosier & Rowena Plateau | Columbia River Gorge
Perfect Time: Sunrise, Sunset, Afternoon
Wow Factor: Scenic landscapes, Lighting, Contrast
The countryside surrounding Mosier, and extending to Rowena is one of a kind. While Rowena’s Crest is a highly popular mecca for photographers, the best-kept secret is the journey up to Rowena. As you wind up the road to Rowena from Mosier, a short 6 - 8 mi. drive, your eyes will enjoy picturesque rolling hills, vineyards and orchards tucked away in old plantation style homes, dramatic cliff faces, and geological formations of the gorge and old farming structures perched on cliff edges. The best part is the journey, they say. I agree.
Vista House at Crown Point
Columbia River Gorge
Perfect Time: Sunrise or After Sunset
Wow Factor: Vista House & Night Sky
3. Vista House at Crown Point (Night) | Columbia River Gorge
Perfect Time: Sunrise or AFTER sunset
Wow Factor: Night Sky,
Okay, so this location is certainly well known and highly trafficked. However, if you go up there after the sun has set, chances are you won’t bump into many photographers. The coolest part of this location is light pollution. Yes, that’s right, I said the light pollution. On a clear night, an hour past sunset, you can end up with the most interesting light and color fluctuations in the night sky. To the East, you get the vast darkness of the mostly unpopulated Columbia River Gorge. To the West, heavy light pollution creeps in from Portland and Vancouver metro areas, and if you time it right, you also get the last dying shades of sunset lingering over the horizon. Green light from the cities, amber/yellow light from the horizon mixes with the deep blue/purples of the night sky to create an awesome experience.
Tamanawas Falls
Mt. Hood National Forest
Perfect Time: Winter, 2-3 p.m.
Wow Factor: Ice Features & Unbeatable Contrast
4. Tamanawas Falls (Winter) | Mt. Hood National Forest
Perfect Time: Afternoon, Sunset
Wow Factor: Ice Features & Contrast
Tamawanas is pretty well known. But not quite as well known for photographers during the winter months. Ah, but there isn’t much better than winter exploring at Tamawanas Falls. Massive icicles looming overhead. Epic flows of water roaring over the falls carving rivers and crevices through the field of snow and ice covering the base of the waterfall. The waterfall’s east-facing position offers a perfect vantage point for capturing the falls in perfect lighting in the mid-afternoon without having to wake up at dawn or stay late. During the winter months, you can expect to get perfect light around 2-3 p.m. when the surrounding trees catch the low winter sun and often treat you to ample sunburst shot opportunities. The other cool tip: you can actually climb up a short slope of rocks and hang out behind the falls, but watch out for giant falling icicles. Nothing ruins a day like getting impaled by a 25 ft. long ice sword.
White River Falls
Tygh Valley
Perfect Time of Day: Sunrise, Afternoon
Wow Factor: Depth & Layers of Water
4. White River Falls | Tygh Valley
Perfect Time: Sunrise, Sunset, Afternoon
WOW! Factor: Depth and Layers of Waterfall
Out in the middle of nowhere, at a tiny unsuspecting city park lies White River Falls. The site of an old abandoned water electricity plant, the falls have over time carved deep into the plateau creating a 3-tiered waterfall. Once you’ve got your fill of slow shutter waterfall photos, I’d encourage you to explore the area more. Check out the creepy old water mill and mosey on down the river a bit.
Highway 97
The Dalles > Madras
Perfect Time of Day: Late Afternoon, Sunset
Wow Factor: Rolling Hills & Big Sky
5. Highway 97 | Dufur
Perfect Time of Day: Late Afternoon, Sunset
WOW! Factor: Rolling Hills & Big Sky
The first time I drove through this area of Oregon I had no idea what I was speeding into. Highway 97 between madras and the Dalles is one of the greatest scenic roads in Oregon. Sitting atop the Columbia Gorge Plateau, you feel like you’re on top of the world, occasionally giving you a feeling of being at the edge of a roller coaster drop as you approach the gorge cliff-sides. Long winding roads take you through dramatic landscapes with rolling hills of grass, high desert prairies, beautiful cloud formations. Look to the west and you’ll get an epic view of the east side of Mt. Hood. Weather usually accumulates over the Cascades, but even if Mt. Hood is socked in, you’ll enjoy dramatic thunderheads in the distance. Pick a clear day and just explore Highway 97 and the side roads around it. There’s a ton to see - in fact I spent a whole 8 hours one day exploring and photographing the area. And I’m all the better for it.
Skylight Cave
Best kept secret in Oregon
Perfect Time of Day: Summer, 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Wow Factor: Incredible Beams of Light
6. Skylight Cave | Central Oregon
Perfect Time: Summer, 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
WOW! Factor: Incredible Beams of Light & Contrast
I maintain this spot is the best-kept secret in all of Oregon. In fact, it happens to be less than 5 miles from my family’s cabin in Black Butte Ranch, and not a single person knew it existed. We’ve had the cabin since 1975… Why is it such a secret? I don’t know but I can guess that it’s b/c of how difficult it is to find. DO NOT use Google Maps. DO YOUR RESEARCH before trying to brave the journey. It requires you to navigate a maze of old, unkempt forestry roads, and the route changes yearly due to downed trees, etc. I followed Google Maps the first time I attempted to find it and ended up scratching the living heck out of my new Subaru. When I did finally find it the following summer, all the pain was worth it. I’ll let the pictures do the talking here, it’s an incredible experience, but I will give you the mandatory details for shooting this phenomenon.
The Skylight phenomenon is only visible from ~8 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. Show up any later and you’ll miss it!
When you first descend into the lava tube, take an immediate right off the ladder (facing the ladder). You may be tempted to take a left.
Do your research beforehand. That Oregon Life and the Outbound Collective both are helpful resources.
There is no service once you get on the forestry roads off of McAllister Rd. Download offline maps!
Here’s a map of the route I took to find the cave, but remember, the route may change from year-to-year. Best to check in with the Forestry Service in the nearby town of Sisters, Oregon.
Top Spur Trail
Mt. Hood National Forest
Perfect Time of Day: Sunset
Wow Factor: Easy access to epic views of Mt. Hood
7. Top Spur Trail | Mt. Hood National Forest
Perfect Time: Sunset
WOW! Factor: Epic Views of Mt. Hood
Most folks I talk to have never heard of Top Spur trail. I found it on a whim and was blown away. After about a mile of forest hiking up the trail, the trees break and you can see some of the rolling hills, nothing major. But then … you keep walking along the hillside and turn a blind corner and BAM! Mt. Hood in all it’s glory. Unlike other Mt. Hood views across the region, Top Spur is very close to the mountain and provides unobstructed views of the entrity of the west slope of the mountain. It’ll take your breath away and then some. Bring your camera and aim for sunset.
Burnt Forest
Mt. Hood National Forest
Perfect Time of Day: Mid-Day, Morning
Wow Factor: Moody Landscapes, Burned Trees, Glass Lakes
8. Burnt Lake
Perfect Time: Anytime
WOW! Factor: Scorched Trees
If you’re looking for a hike with truly unique views that ends at a pristine alpine lake, consider checking out burnt lake trail. This 7.7mi. out&back trail takes you through a seemingly lost, peaceful part of the forest full of old cedar snags showing remnants of a major wildfire that occurred around 1900.