Washington State in Pictures: 23 Beautiful Places to Photograph

Written by Brad Lane
Updated Feb 10, 2023

Rainforests, active volcanoes, and waterfalls help define many of the most beautiful places to visit in Washington, as well as mountain meadows, archipelagos, and charming cities with access to it all.

Hoh Rainforest | Photo Copyright: Brad Lane

The three national parks of Washington: Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades all deliver on a lifetime of hiking trails and spectacular sights to see, as do the otherworldly environments of Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, leaving visitors with the constant question of what to explore next.

Wherever the camera focuses in this scenic state, there tends to be beautiful images in sight. Find the top places to capture pictures in our list of Washington state's most beautiful places to photograph.

Paradise, Mount Rainier National Park

Hikers on the Skyline Trail | Photo Copyright: Brad Lane

The aptly named Paradise area of Mount Rainier National Park delivers some of the best views of this peak symbol of the state. Visitors get up close and personal with the 14,410-foot Mount Rainier via the Skyline Trail that departs from the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center. Alongside fantastic alpine views, marmots and wildflowers are often encountered along the trail.

The sights along the Hoh River Trail within the Hoh Rainforest of Olympic National Park feature many shades of green. Much of that has to do with the 12 to 14 feet of rain the area receives each year, contributing to a dense environment of 100-foot-tall western hemlocks and Sitka Spruces, as well as a growing collection of moss, fern, and lichen for even more depth of color.

With mountain backdrops and a turquoise tint in the water, Ross Lake easily takes your breath away. The common spots to snap photos and enjoy the sights of Ross Lake are along the pull-offs provided by the North Cascade Scenic Byway, one of the prettiest drives in the state. Other scenic options to enjoy the water include renting a boat from the Ross Lake Resort.

Connecting Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands within Puget Sound, the state park surrounding the Deception Pass Bridge is one of the most popular in the state. It's not just the hundreds of campsites and family-friendly amenities at Deception Pass that draw such a crowd, it's the iconic Pacific Northwest scenery of water, islands, and stunning viewpoints that make Deception Pass a popular place to camp.

Lined with impressive sea-stacks, regenerating tidepools, and smoldering sunsets, the Wilderness Coast of Olympic National Park is reminiscent of traveling to another world. Backpackers and photography enthusiasts flock to scenic spots on the Olympic Wilderness Coast like Rialto Beach to capture the moving environment and impressive sea-features, particularly come sunset.

Exploring Olympic National Park and the Hoh Rain Forest: A Visitor's Guide

San Juan Island

The largest of the San Juan Islands, San Juan Island is a great jumping-off point to explore the sights, sounds, and wildlife of this watery region. The island's largest city, Friday Harbor, is often a great place to catch a guided whale watching tour for dramatic photos of orca whales. Of equal scenic appeal on the island, Lime Kiln State Park features a very photogenic lighthouse.

Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Puget Sound

Spray Falls, Mount Rainier National Park

In the Mowich Lake region of Mount Rainier National Park, Spray Falls shares a similar characteristic with many other features of the area—an enormous impression on the landscape. Climbing the Spray Park trail to the falls is a vertical endeavor, but the enormous cloud of mist spraying from this 350-foot display of moving water provides an easy way to cool off and enjoy the view.

Once a lumber and railroad community, Leavenworth transformed itself over the last four decades to become an authentic Bavarian village complete with bratwurst and big mountain backdrops. The Bavarian architecture of Leavenworth alone is worth a few pictures, and during annual festivals and traditions, the streets are lined with live polka music and lederhosen.

A massive stratovolcano in northern Washington, Mount Baker is a scenic destination throughout the year. Home to a popular ski resort throughout the winter, backpacking and nature lovers explore the slopes throughout the summer and shoulder seasons. For nearly equal alpine splendor, immediately to the east of Mount Baker, Mount Shuksan also vies for eye-catching attention.

Enchantment Basin, Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Just outside the picturesque town of Leavenworth within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, the Alpine Lakes Wilderness provides million-dollar views every mile of the trail. Navigating big features like Aasgard Pass and an abundance of massive glacier-fed lakes, the 18-mile trail that passes through the aptly named Enchantment Basin within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness offers sore muscles and life-defining sights.

A bustling, open-air market in Seattle near the waterfront, Pike Place Market is an iconic image of the city. With fresh produce, fish, coffee, and handmade goods, Pike Place Market truly appeals to all the senses. Whether for people watching, perusing the colorful stands, or snapping a picture of the iconic Public Market sign, there's no shortage of inspiration at this renowned tourist attraction.

Read More: Best Tourist Attractions in Seattle

Whatcom Falls Park

In the university city of Bellingham north of Seattle, Whatcom Falls Park is a scenic natural space with tons of moving water. The moment they step onto the lichen-laid path at Whatcom, visitors are transported far from the adjacent city nearby. Among the many great water features to catch at this 200-acre natural space, the park also features a scenic children's fishing pond.

Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Bellingham

Bowl & Pitcher Area, Riverside State Park

Just outside Spokane, Riverside State Park encompasses over 11,000 acres along the scenic Spokane and Little Spokane Rivers. The park has many areas to explore and just as many activities to offer, with the Bowl & Pitcher Area perhaps the most scenic spots to enjoy. Best viewed from a Civilian Conservation Corps-era wooden bridge, the Bowl & Pitcher are large boulder outcroppings on the banks of the Spokane River.

Mount St. Helens view from the Johnston Ridge Observatory

Within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, the Johnston Ridge Observatory provides the easiest access and perhaps best views of Mount St. Helens, including the remaining crater left behind after the dramatic 1980 eruption. Alongside parking spots and interpretive information, the observatory provides instant access to many trails leading to the mountain, which are especially pretty alongside the blooming colors of spring.

A charming city by the sea, Port Townsend is filled with eye-catching Victorian architecture, quaint shopping districts, and endless seascapes filled with boats, piers, and mountain backdrops. For even more photographic opportunity, Port Townsend is an easy base camp for both the Olympic Peninsula, including Olympic National Park, as well as Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands.

Pioneer Square

Dating back to the beginning of the city, the historic Pioneer Square of Seattle features eye-catching Renaissance Revival architecture and a constant flow of people walking the streets. Storefronts, public art, and a mash of fashions add to the photogenic qualities of Pioneer Square, and the family-friendly underground tours of the area add even more perspective to this birthplace of Seattle.

Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Seattle

Sunrise Visitor Center

The drive up to the 6,400-foot Sunrise Visitor Center at Mount Rainier National Park delivers tourists to the highest point in the park reachable by car. A stunning place for its namesake time of morning, dawn at the Sunrise Visitor Center presents up-close views of Rainier with a pink and orange glow, and the mountain's many glaciers glisten in the sun throughout the rest of the day.

Methow Valley

On the eastern leg of the North Cascades Scenic Byway, the Methow Valley is renowned for dramatic alpine landscapes and world-class cross-country skiing. Both the towns of Mazama and Winthrop are popular destinations within the Methow Valley, each providing a western charm alongside big mountain backgrounds. Immediately to the west, North Cascades National Park encourages further mountain excursions.

Sequim

Also known as the Lavender Capital of the World, Sequim is a friendly community on the Olympic Peninsula featuring bountiful color and scenic appeal. Walking the rows of lavender plants at places like Purple Haze Organic Lavender farm provides ample opportunity for pictures, as do scenic strolls down by the harbor and waterfront.

Cape Disappointment

Not living up to its unceremonious title, Cape Disappointment provides a stunning environment on the far southwestern point of the state where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. While the scenic and historic lighthouse within this state park is often photographed, other areas of the park, including the equally ominous Deadman's Cove, are worth the scenic hikes.

Bloedel Reserve, Bainbridge Island

Bainbridge Island, in western Washington opposite of Seattle, has several worthwhile photogenic attractions. From its Grand Forest to the shimmering waters of Puget Sound, photography enthusiasts will want to bring extra film on their trip to capture these images.

However, the Bloedel Reserve, on the island's northeast end, is a must-visit and must-see for any and all photo enthusiasts. This immaculate 150-acre property blends lush nature scenes and eye-catching architecture for several memorable scenes.

Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle

The Olympic Sculpture Park is a nine-acre greenspace on the downtown Seattle waterfront. It's free to enjoy, and with several pieces of art throughout, it's a haven for professional and amateur photographers alike.

On clear days, visitors can also snap lovely images across Puget Sound and of the surrounding scenic city landscapes, including the Space Needle popping up on the horizon.

Lake Crescent, Olympic National Park

Lake Crescent is one of many scenic attractions in Olympic National Park on the Olympic Peninsula in northwest Washington. This deep, natural lake borders lush scenery on all sides, including the rugged elevation of the Olympic Mountains.

Visitors have several ways to access the shoreline, with the stunning Lake Crescent Lodge as one of the most popular outlets. When visiting this area of the park, be sure to spend some time on the short hiking trail leading to Crescent Falls—another notable photogenic attraction in the area.