I understand this is INCREDIBLY subjective, but bear with me here! But I've had the pleasure of visiting over half of the national parks (and pretty much most of the top-tier ones), so I wanted to share some of the best places to land photos as you plan out your 2025 travels.

My Top Photography Locations for These National Parks

Mount Rainier

Dege Peak. Probably not what you were expecting, huh? While you sacrifice wildflowers, Dege Peak gives you views of Mount Rainer, Mount Adams, Mount Baker, and Glacier Peak. Basically, you have views of the entire Cascade range to Canada (on a clear day).

I recommend a wide-angle lens to capture Rainier and a telephoto to snap the far-away peaks and layers. Top Mt Rainier hikes​

Yosemite

Glacier Point. I could give you a dozen of my "favorites," but Glacier Point is a true gem. With close views of Half Dome, the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada range, and Vernal and Nevada Falls below, you'll have plenty to aim at. Plan a Yosemite roadtrip​

Glacier

MacDonald Lake. I struggled with this one because I want these to be accessible, and making some hike far isn't the idea. But on a calm day, to get the multi-colored rocks with the peaks in the background is a classic shot that will never get old.

North Cascades

Sahale Glacier Camp. Most of North Cascades NP is pretty hard to access and quite remote, making Sahale the best bang for your buck location in the area. You'll want a wide-angle lens and a telephoto to get better shots of glaciers and far-off peaks. Trail Guide​

Olympic

Shi Shi Beach. Everyone will talk about the Hoh Rainforest or Hurricane Ridge, so I wanted to be a little more unique. It's a bit of an effort to get out here, but once you do, it's magical. The sea stacks and rock formations are superb, and you get a beach mostly to yourself. Trail Guide​

Sequoia

Congress Trail. The groups of trees, like the Senate and Congress, make for some insane photo opportunities to show a tiny human and the massive trees. A wide-angle lens is needed here. Explore the trail​

Redwoods

Stout Grove. It's an easy, flat trail, but countless photography opportunities exist. I have so many good memories from my 2022 trip here.

Channel Islands

Potato Harbor. A little over a 2.5-mile hike from the pier, Potato Harbor is an amazing sunset location high above the ocean below. Trail Guide​

Yellowstone

Hayden Valley & Lamar Valley. This is a very open area, but it's my favorite due to the ability to spot wildlife. It's also a really nice area to get morning mist along the river, creating some stunning sights. Aim to be here an hour before sunrise and keep your eyes open for animals. Yellowstone Itinerary​

Grand Teton

Schwabacher Landing. It's iconic for a reason, and we're not rocking the boat with this final one. As you walk down the trail, you'll see a few spots that are pretty nice to set up shop. Bring your standard lens and tripod. Grand Teton&Yellowstone guide​

New Youtube Videos

Here are some videos you may have missed. If you're not subscribing, you're just two clicks away, and it will GREATLY help my journey over there.

​Washington Nature Sounds​

​22-mile day hike to Canada's hardest-to-reach lake ​

​1 Hour of Meditation Sounds + Southwest Photo Slideshow​

A 30-mile backpacking trip into the Washington Cascades​

​A 5-day Bear Adventure into Katmai National Park​

​Iceland Drone Video (My most popular video so far)​

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How you can help Los Angeles

What is happening in Los Angeles is utterly tragic and devastating. The city has been consumed by smoke and fire over the past few days, thanks to intense wind and bone-dry conditions. My heart goes out to those who've lost everything, lost family members, and had their lives upended.

If you have the financial means to assist, click here for this article by NBC Los Angeles outlining different organizations to donate to.