The continent’s sheer size, variety of climates, and abundance of natural wonders make North America a mecca for travel photographers. If anything, there’s so much to capture that choice paralysis can quickly set in. Not sure where to shoot next? While even an article five times as long couldn’t possibly do justice to all the worthy places on offer, here is our mix of must-see North American spots to immortalize with your camera.
New England
New England is THE place to be in North America if you want to capture the ultimate autumnal visuals. The forests of Acadia National Park explode with a striking array of colors at that time. Plus, you wouldn’t want to miss the rocky yet approachable New England coastline, with picturesque lighthouses and tranquil seaside towns straight out of a hallmark postcard.
White Sands National Park
Want a truly extra-terrestrial experience? Then go 130 miles southwest of Roswell to one of the most otherworldly-looking places on the planet. In White Sands National Park, gypsum dunes stretch as far as the eye can see, making for some truly unique nature shots. The park is also far removed from major urban hubs and affords excellent opportunities for stunning astrophotography year-round.
Zion National Park
No tour of North American scenic locations would be complete without Utah’s crown jewel of serene natural beauty.
Zion National Park humbles with its towering red canyons, abundant wildlife, and pristine rivers. Shooting opportunities abound regardless of when in the year you decide to brave its hiking trails and steep switchbacks.
Antelope Canyon
Another contender for Earth’s most alien landscapes, Antelope Canyon in Arizona, amazes with undulating sandstone walls and contrasting warm colors, shafts of sunlight create upon hitting them. The Colorado River’s iconic Horseshoe Bend is just a 15-minute drive away, making your visit a world-class double feature.
California redwoods
Even the best photos have trouble conveying the enduring majesty of the towering redwood forests of California’s Northern coast. Most are concentrated in Redwood National Park, with some groves protected by smaller state parks. If you don’t mind the crowds, the summer months are peak photography season for getting those dream-like early morning fog shots.
Kluane National Park and Reserve
Part of the world’s largest nature site under UNESCO protection, the Kluane National Park and Reserve in Canada’s Yukon province captivates visitors with countless peaks, vast ice fields, and the untamed Yukon River.
Photographers looking to capture stark and serene snowscapes may brave Kluane in winter. More trepid explorers will still find plenty to capture, like the park’s diverse birdlife, during the rest of the year.
Staying Connected and Safe
The most scenic locations in North America also tend to be far-flung, meaning that maintaining lines of communication is crucial for a safe and enjoyable experience. If you’re hopping over the border to take in Kluane, Gros Morne, or Jasper National Parks, you’ll want to activate a local eSIM plan for Canada or the U.S to skip high roaming fees and maintain a strong signal even in deep wilderness. Any of the places above offer opportunities for far more award-winning shots than a single SD card can hold. You may want to transfer its contents to cloud storage at some point, likely using the public Wi-Fi from a hotel or restaurant. Be sure to get the finest VPN first to encrypt the connection and protect your files and login credentials from snoops. Plus, VPNs let you change your IP address, allowing you to retain access to US-based services like banking apps even when border hopping into Canada.