Destinations

Top Five Places to Photograph in Each State (G – K)

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 G – K, links to the other pages are below:

Georgia

Driftwood Beach
This beach on Jekyll Island is home to driftwood that makes for interesting photos.

Photo by Bert Cash / CC BY 2.0

Arabia Mountain
Just outside Atlanta, a trail leads to the top and provides great views.

Photo by Eric Foster / Public Domain

Yonah Mountain
Take the 4-mile hike to the summit for a great view.

Photo by TranceMist / CC BY 2.0

Providence Canyon State Park
Beautiful 150-foot canyon in southwestern Georgia.

Photo by J. Kelly, Soil Science / CC BY 2.0

Amicolola Falls State Park
Home to a 750-foot cascading waterfall, with easy views from the bottom.

Photo by Lee Coursey / CC BY 2.0

Hawaii

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Two active volcanoes are the main attraction at this park.

Photo by pogo_mm / CC0

Haleakala National Park
This park on Maui includes a dormant volcano, coastline, and wilderness.

Photo by damien_p58 / CC BY 2.0

Akaka Falls State Park
Stunning 400-foot waterfall with a loop trail that provides a nice view.

Photo by Svein-Magne Tunli / CC BY-SA 4.0

Road to Hana
Beautiful winding road on Maui with plenty of views and things to see along the way.

Photo by Andrew / CC BY-SA 2.0

Na Pali Coast State Park
Breathtaking 4,000-foot cliffs along the coast of Kauai.

Photo by Steve Hedin / CC BY-SA 3.0

Idaho

Owyhee River Wilderness
Deep canyons surround this secluded river. Take the Owyhee Uplands National Backcountry Byway to access the area.

Photo by BLM / CC BY 2.0

Little Redfish Lake
Scenic Redfish Lake and Little Redfish Lake are in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.

Photo by Charles Knowles / CC BY 2.0

Camas Prairie Centennial Marsh Wildlife Management Area
Flat prairie fills with lillies in the spring.

Photo by Charles Knowles / CC BY 2.0

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
Lava fields and grasslands form this beautiful wilderness area.

Photo by Bob Wick / CC BY 2.0

Shoshone Falls
This beautiful waterfall is 200 feet high and almost 1,000 feet wide.

Photo by Charles Knowles / CC BY 2.0

Illinois

Starved Rock State Park
Amazing canyons, waterfalls, river views at the most popular state park in Illinois.

Photo by Peter Ciro / CC BY-ND 2.0

Matthiessen State Park
Waterfalls and rock formations, very close to Starved Rock State Park.

Photo by Justin Meissen / CC BY-SA 2.0

Garden of the Gods
Amazing rock formations and views of the Shawnee National Forest.

Photo by Daniel Schwen / CC BY-SA 4.0

Cache River State Natural Area
Cypress wetlands with 1,000-year-old trees in southern Illinois

Photo by Miguel Vieira / CC BY 2.0

Horseshoe Lake State Park
Near St. Louis, a shallow lake and habitat for birds.

Photo by Agathman / CC BY-SA 3.0

Indiana

Indiana Dunes State Park
Sand dunes along the southern shores of Lake Michigan.

Photo by Todd Petrie / CC BY 2.0

Clifty Falls State Park
Several significant waterfalls, plus hiking trails.

Photo by Chris Light / CC BY-SA 3.0

Turkey Run State Park
Rugged trails along Sugar Creek and the surrounding gorge.

Photo by Tennessee Wanderer / CC BY-ND 2.0

Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge
Grasslands and flatwoods, along with many birds.

Photo by USFWSMidwest / CC BY 2.0

Falls Creek Gorge
Beautiful gorge and creek in west central Indiana.

Photo by Charles Knowles / CC BY 2.0

Iowa

Pikes Peak State Park
500-foot bluff overlooking the Mississippi River.

Photo by Good Free Photos / Public Domain

Maquoketa Caves State Park
Home to hiking trails, caves, and scenic overlooks.

Photo by TheMichaelMcKenzie / CC BY-ND 2.0

Effigy Mounds National Monument
Mounds built by Native Americans in the shapes of animals.

Photo by Anissa Wood / CC BY 2.0

Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge
Tall bluffs along the river and many birds.

Photo by Stan Bousson / CC BY 2.0

U.S. Highway 52
Beautiful scenery through Clayton, Dubuque, Jackson, and Clinton Counties.

Photo by Todd Ehlers / CC BY-ND 2.0

Kansas

Monument Rocks
70-foot rock formations that stand out from the flat surrounding landscape.

Photo by Lane Pearman / CC BY 2.0

Castle Rock
Limestone piller in a rugged landscape setting.

Photo by Patrick Emerson / CC BY-ND 2.0

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Beautiful prairie views from the hiking trails and an overlook.

Photo by Patrick Emerson / CC BY-ND 2.0

Mushroom Rock State Park
Small park with hoodoos and other rock formations.

Photo by Lane Pearman / CC BY 2.0

Quivira National Wildlife Refuge
Salt marshes,  sand dunes, and prairies attract many migratory birds.

Photo by B. Jones / CC BY 2.0

Kentucky

Red River Gorge
Sandstone cliffs, natural arches, and waterfalls within the Daniel Boone National Forest.

Photo by CHeltz / CC BY 2.0

Natural Bridges State Resort Park
Near the Red River Gorge, this park features a large natural bridge and other formations.

Photo by Ken Thomas / Public Domain

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
70-foot waterfall with moonbow visible at night during full moon.

Photo by David Amsler / CC BY 2.0

Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
Hundreds of miles of scenic roads and trails in southern Kentucky.

Photo by FS Staff / CC BY-SA 2.0

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
Southern Kentucky and northern Tennessee, lots of waterfalls, bluffs, and natural beauty.

Photo by Amy Nelson / CC BY 2.0

Loaded Landscapes

The content on this page is a collaboration from our staff of editors and contributions/suggestions from our community of users.

Recent Posts

How To Protect Camera In Bad Weather: 16 Pro Tips

The weather can be unpredictable, even in the most temperate of climates. Rainy days can…

1 year ago

How Do You Reduce Haze in Landscape Photography?

Haze can be a photographer's ally, but it is a trouble to endure most of…

1 year ago

How to Photograph Intimate Landscapes Like A Pro

As a landscape photographer, you often find yourself drawn to the expansive views and deep…

1 year ago

How To Do Landscape Photography Using Smartphone

When you're traveling, it's always a good idea to travel light. The fewer things you're…

2 years ago

Photographing Volcanoes: Best Tips And Tricks for Beginners

Volcano photography is an enriching hobby. Even though a lot of work goes into the…

2 years ago

The Best Photography Locations in Senja Island

You may not have heard of Norway’s second largest island, Senja Island. This underrated must-visit…

2 years ago