Since the invention of photography, America’s national parks have inspired people to capture the natural world through a lens. From early black-and-white landscape photographs to today’s digital and smartphone images, these parks have become some of the most photographed places on Earth. Certain viewpoints, in particular, have gained iconic status; not just because they are beautiful, but because they represent the scale, history, and spirit of the national parks system. Below are five of the most commonly photographed locations in national parks and recreation areas, each offering a unique perspective on America’s natural heritage.
Mesa Arch is one of the most famous sunrise photography spots in the United States. Located on the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park, the arch perfectly frames the canyons below, with sunlight illuminating the underside of the rock at dawn. Photographers are drawn to the way the arch creates a natural window to the vast desert landscape, emphasizing the immense scale and erosion-shaped beauty of the Colorado Plateau.
