There are great places for landscape photography all over the United States, and here you’ll find a list of the top 5 locations in each state, plus you’ll see a link to where you find even more great locations in each state. The list is broken into a few different pages because of size. Below you’ll find the states starting with L – M, links to the other pages are below:
- Part 1: Alabama – Florida
- Part 2: Georgia – Kentucky
- Part 3: Louisiana – Montana
- Part 4: Nebraska – Pennsylvania
- Part 5: Rhode Island – Wyoming
Louisiana
Lake Martin
Beautiful lake and swamp lands in southern Louisiana.
Photo by Chris Litherland / CC BY-SA 3.0
Chicot Lake State Park
Man-made lake with hiking trails and plenty to photograph.
Photo by Richard May / CC BY-SA 2.0
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
Six different units including the swamps of the Bataria Preserve.
Photo by Ken Lund / CC BY-SA 2.0
Clear Lake
Clear Lake and Black Lake in northern Louisiana are great for photographing cypress trees.
Photo by Michael McCarthy / CC BY-ND 2.0
Maine
Acadia National Park
Beautiful rocky coastline, mountains, lakes, and woods. The 27-mile Park Loop Road is a highlight.
Photo by Kim Carpenter / CC BY 2.0
Baxter State Park
Amazing wilderness area in northern Maine with a dirt road and several hiking trails.
Photo by Elizabeth Byrd Wood / CC BY-SA 2.0
Screw Auger Falls
Beautiful waterfall in Grafton Notch State Park.
Photo by Doug Kerr / CC BY-SA 2.0
Cutler Coast Public Reserved Land
Wilderness area with trails and beautiful coastal views.
Photo by gao1jie2ke3 / CC BY-SA 2.0
Portland Head Light
Famous lighthouse on picturesque rocky coast.
Photo by Rapidfire / CC BY-SA 3.0
Maryland
Swallow Falls State Park
Gorges, forests, and beautiful waterfalls at this western Maryland park.
Photo by Nicolas Raymond / CC BY-SA 3.0
Rocks State Park
Home of Kilgore Falls and a large rock outcropping called the King & Queen Seat.
Photo by Mark S / CC BY 2.0
Catoctin Mountain Park
Woods and mountains with some scenic overlooks and a trail that leads to Cunningham Falls.
Photo by TrailVoice / CC BY-SA 2.0
Susquehanna State Park
Features a waterfall, grist mill, and the Susquehanna River.
Photo by Nicolas Raymond / CC BY-SA 3.0
Patapsco Valley State Park
Features 30+ miles of the Patapsco River, waterfalls, streams, and plenty of hiking trails.
Photo by Nicolas Raymond / CC BY-SA 3.0
Massachusetts
Gay Head Lighthouse and Cliffs
Beautiful clay cliffs on the island of Martha’s Vineyard.
Photo by m01229 / CC BY 2.0
Bash Bish Falls State Park
This western Massachusetts park is home of a 200-foot cascading waterfall.
Photo by Tom Walsh / CC BY-SA 2.0
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
Coastal refuge accessible by Refuge Drive.
Photo by Matt Poole / CC BY 2.0
Mount Greylock State Reserve
The highest point in the state with great views of the Berkshires.
Photo by Andrew K. Smith / CC BY 2.0
Doanes Falls
Series of five waterfalls accessible by a short, steep trail.
Photo by Dorothy Miller / CC BY-ND 2.0
Michigan
Isle Royale National Park
Island on Lake Superior that must be reached by boat or plane, with a beautiful coast.
Photo by Ray Dumas / CC BY-SA 2.0
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Miles of beautiful coastline on the Upper Peninsula with cliffs, archways, and waterfalls.
Photo by Mark Stacey / CC BY 2.0
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
On the shores of Lake Michigan with high bluffs, beaches, and sand dunes.
Photo by Rod / CC BY-ND 2.0
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Old-growth forest, lakes, and rivers on the Upper Peninsula.
Photo by Jim Sorbie / CC BY 2.0
Bond Falls State Scenic Site
Picturesque 50-foot waterfall on the Upper Peninsula.
Photo by Tony Faiola / CC BY 2.0
Minnesota
Voyaguers National Park
Close to the Canadian border with most of the park being accessible only by boat.
Photo by jck_photos / CC BY 2.0
Gooseberry Falls State Park
On the shores of Lake Superior with three significant and beautiful waterfalls.
Photo by Anita Ritenour / CC BY 2.0
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
A short drive from Gooseberry Falls, this park is home to a scenic lighthouse atop a cliff.
Photo by Matthew / CC BY 2.0
Judge C.R. Magney State Park
Also along the shore of Lake Superior, this park features rock formations and waterfalls.
Photo by Dan / CC BY-ND 2.0
Pipestone National Monument
Beautiful rock formations in southwestern Minnesota.
Photo by Brian Jeffery Beggerly / CC BY 2.0
Mississippi
Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge
Lakes and wetlands that are a resting area for migratory birds.
Photo by Eddie Harsh / CC BY 2.0
Natchez Trace
Historic trail now mirrored by the Natchez Trace Parkway.
Photo by Jan Kronsell / Public Domain
Gulf Islands National Seashore
Multiple units in southern MS and FL, with the Davis Bayou Area being the most accessible.
Photo by NPS / CC BY-ND 2.0
Ocean Springs
Beautiful beach town along the gulf coast.
Photo by Adrianna Battista / CC BY 2.0
Tishomingo State Park
Rocky area features the Bear Creek Canyon and cliffs.
Photo by Brad Kebodeaux / CC BY-ND 2.0
Missouri
Ha Ha Tanka State Park
Features great overlooks and the ruins of a stone mansion.
Photo by Heath Cajandig / CC BY 2.0
Elephant Rocks State Park
Large boulders in the Saint Francois Mountains.
Photo by Fredlyfish4 / CC BY-SA 3.0
Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park
The river cascades over rocks in this popular recreation area.
Photo by Keith Yahl / CC BY 2.0
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park
Home to the highest point and highest waterfall in the state.
Photo by Keith Yahl / CC BY 2.0
Castlewood State Park
Overlooks and views of the Meramec River.
Photo by Good Free Photos / Public Domain
Montana
Glacier National Park
Paradise for the landscape photographer with mountains, lakes, glaciers, and wildlife.
Photo by skeeze / CC0
Upper Missouri River Breaks
Beautiful bluffs along the river in this remote location.
Photo by Bob Wicks / CC BY 2.0
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
Beautiful remote canyon area in both Montana and Wyoming.
Photo by Anna-Katharina Stöcklin / CC BY-SA 3.0
Paradise Valley
Scenic valley north of Yellowstone that can be experienced from the Paradise Valley Scenic Loop.
Photo by Tim Gage / CC BY-SA 2.0
Beartooth Highway
Scenic, winding mountain road that leads to Yellowstone.
Photo by Acroterion / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Part 1: Alabama – Florida
- Part 2: Georgia – Kentucky
- Part 3: Louisiana – Montana
- Part 4: Nebraska – Pennsylvania
- Part 5: Rhode Island – Wyoming
Photo license links: CC BY 2.0, CC BY 3.0, CC BY-ND 2.0, CC BY-SA 2.0, CC BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-SA 4.0, CC0