Have you wanted to find amazing and FREE locations around Salt Lake City to take your photos at? I was on a quest to find the 10 best places to take pictures in Salt Lake City for the entire summer and fall.
When I moved to Utah in 2018 I was so unaware of places to take clients for shoots. I’d reach out to other photographers and half of the time get an answer that the location was secret and couldn’t be shared. So, I Googled this exact phrase “10 Best Places to Take Pictures in Salt Lake City” and found these:
To say the least, I was totally disappointed! Most of these are not from real Salt Lake photographers or their blogs! Yelp, AOL, and Google just aren’t going to cut it for me (though I have to give a shout-out to Chris Bunker Photography for having a variety of blog posts about photo locations in the area!).
BUT….no one back in 2018 had a comprehensive list that was thorough with the exact directions, cost for entry, and example photography of the location. I mean, how many people live in Salt Lake and haven’t done this yet?! (There are almost 200,000 people in Salt Lake City alone…not to mention the suburbs where I am located.)
Finally, it occurred to me that I could just come up with the post myself! And alas, this is what I’ve got for you. A comprehensive and detailed list of my personal top 10 favorite locations to shoot at in Salt Lake City (and within a 25 mile radius of the city).
Let me mention this to preface! These places are free and therefore usually very busy and populated on weekends and when the weather is nice. They are known to a lot of photographers, as well.
I use these frequently, but the key to making sure you get a shot that no one else has here (even when it’s so packed with other people) is to explore a little, walk around, and pick a spot where others are not as visible or close by your area.
Also, I have a few other blogs about locations for different seasons of the year in Utah. These might help you, too.
Top 5 Locations for Winter Photos in Salt Lake City
Best Locations for Bridals in Utah
5 Location for Summer Photos in Utah
Whether your a fellow photographer, local, tourist, Instagram influencer, or avid outdoor explorer these places will give you the killer views you need to embrace the areas near the largest city in Utah. I’ll be adding different blogs in the future about other areas you can shoot at in the Utah area so be on the lookout!
So, here’s the list!
1. Storm Mountain Picnic Area (across the way)
Directions: Storm Mountain Picnic Area
You can type that into Google or you can click the link which will take you to a small pull-off/parking area. Drive to this location and hike up the rocks to get a beautiful view in snow or shine.
Great for: Engagements, Bridals, Family, Maternity Photos
2. Jordan Pines (before the campground) up Big Cottonwood Canyon
Directions: UT-190 Off Big Cottonwood Canyon Rd
Across from the North Fork Trailhead
Park in the parking lot off the main road before the gated entrance (only gated when snowy).
This place is usually super populated during the summer and fall season – beware! Sometimes I have to take a lot of time editing out people in the background. If you don’t mind that or taking a little hike around to avoid others (there’s lots of space to do that if you go southeast towards the mountains), then this place is incredible any time of the year.
Great for: Engagements, Bridals, Family, Maternity Photos
3. Trolley Square
Directions: Trolley Square, 602 E 500 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
This place not only has cute shops (Pottery Barn, anyone?) and great dining (Rodizio Grill – all you can eat meat!), but it serves as the perfect backdrop for urban vibes in a photoshoot. Tons of red brick and cement that always make a photo pop.
Great for: Engagements, Bridals, Family, Maternity, Lifestyle Photos
4. The Great Saltair
Directions: The Great Saltair
Pretty much drive until the end of the canyon and park at the Visitor Center.
It’s like a mini Salt Flats but not as far from the city. It’s about a 25 min drive from Salt Lake! Keep in mind, this place is huge yet it gets crowded through the late spring-fall seasons. There are also a lot of bugs, so bring bug spray!
*Need a permit if getting paid
Great for: Engagements, Bridals, Family, Maternity Photos
5. Tunnel Springs Park / Bonneville Shoreline Trail
Directions: Tunnel Springs Park, 1080 Eaglepointe Dr, North Salt Lake, UT 84054
This is my favorite location – I even added one of my maternity photos to the example images because I adore this place. I love the fields and green or golden grass look.
Depending on the time of year the grass/weeds are different colors. The grass is golden during the summer and fall, snowy in the winter, and green during the spring.
This is also populated with lots of family and brides most of the time. But, the area is quite large and there’s lots of room to explore and find a spot. It is even connected to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, so follow that forever either north or south you’ll get tons of spots no one has used before!
Great for: Engagements, Bridals, Family, Portrait Session, Maternity Photos
6. Snowbird up Little Cottonwood Canyon
Directions: Gad Valley Dr. by Snowbird Resort
This is free, too! Just plug in these directions to your maps to find a great spot. Park in the parking lot and just hike down by server for photos or drive up further on Little Cottonwood Canyon Road to find a unique spot for you!
(Featuring my husband and I up there 🙂 )
Great for: Portrait, Engagements, Family Photos
7. Neff’s Canyon
Directions: 4326 White Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84124 is the closest residential address but you drive all the way until you see the gate (closed during the winter season) and go into the parking lot.
The parking lot directions are M6GF+FX Salt Lake City, Utah
Great For: Engagements, Bridals, Family, Portrait Session
8. Downtown Salt Lake City
Directions: City Creek Parking, 145 Social Hall Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Park for free the first two hours at City Creek!
Walk or start at the East Side on 100 South – go up the escalators until you reach Albion Fit or the Disney Store. Walk south down to the cobblestone road towards BRIO Tuscan Grille. Cross the street and go towards Eccles Theater and Pretty Bird. There’s a gold mine of locations down that street and towards the Gallivan Center.
Great for: Engagements, Portraits
9. Off the side of the road on the interstate (I-80) – don’t doubt me here!
Directions: On the way to the Great Saltair (12408 W Saltair Dr, Magna, UT 84044) you can find golden fields anywhere! Just take the exit to the Great Saltair and turn right down that long asphalt road. Pick any spot you choose, seriously there are a plethora of spots if you hop out and explore!
Great for: Engagements, Bridals, Family Photos
10. Cactus & Tropicals
Directions: 2735 S 2000 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84109
If you’re going to have a large group, family or a formal shoots such as bridals, you normally need to pay $50 for a pass. Otherwise, it’s free from my understanding!
Great for: Portraits, Engagements, or Bridals
OTHER LOCATIONS CLOSE BY:
Downtown Park City
Directions: Main St. Park City, UT
There are free 2 hour parking spots, but during busy seasons they are hard to come by (i.e.: summertime and winter ski seasons)
