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Zion & Bryce: Iconic Photography Destinations
Zion & Bryce: Iconic Photography Destinations
by Matt Meisenheimer
When it comes to landscape photography in the contiguous United States, I consider the two best areas to be the Pacific Northwest and the desert Southwest. Both areas offer spectacular sights, but what makes them special is the diversity in landscapes that they offer. They are not season dependent and offer incredible photography opportunities year-long.
Here at Backcountry Journeys, we host our signature, Canyons of Utah: Zion & Bryce, where we visit both Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks in Utah on the same itinerary.
Spring and fall are great times to visit southern Utah for photography. Temperatures are mild, foliage is either bright green or yellow, and the parks are generally less crowded. This is one of my favorite workshops to lead, as well, because our guests are typically so surprised and blown away by the landscape, and it is a lot of fun being able to deliver that experience!
Lodging and food are great too. Springdale, the entry town to Zion National Park, is one of my favorite national park entrance ‘villages.’ It has some of the best restaurants and lodging of any national park I have been too. Expect to “pig-out” at Oscar’s in Springdale during this trip.
Because of how much I love this area (it was one of my first dedicated photography trips way back when), I decided to put together a list of my top reasons why I keep coming back for more at Zion & Bryce Canyon. If you’ve not been, this trip should be near the top of your list!
Here at Backcountry Journeys, we host our signature, Canyons of Utah: Zion & Bryce, where we visit both Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks in Utah on the same itinerary.
Spring and fall are great times to visit southern Utah for photography. Temperatures are mild, foliage is either bright green or yellow, and the parks are generally less crowded. This is one of my favorite workshops to lead, as well, because our guests are typically so surprised and blown away by the landscape, and it is a lot of fun being able to deliver that experience!
Lodging and food are great too. Springdale, the entry town to Zion National Park, is one of my favorite national park entrance ‘villages.’ It has some of the best restaurants and lodging of any national park I have been too. Expect to “pig-out” at Oscar’s in Springdale during this trip.
Because of how much I love this area (it was one of my first dedicated photography trips way back when), I decided to put together a list of my top reasons why I keep coming back for more at Zion & Bryce Canyon. If you’ve not been, this trip should be near the top of your list!
Hoodoos
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its jaw-dropping and otherworldly hoodoo rock formations. Hoodoos are tall spires, which consist of relatively soft rock capped by a harder rock that protects the structure from erosion. Bryce holds the highest density of hoodoos found anywhere in the world. The hoodoos are carved from the Claron Formation, which is a colorful set of rock deposited around 40-60 million years ago. The hoodoos were eventually eroded by millions and millions of freeze-thaw cycles. Bryce Canyon National Park experiences about 200 freeze-thaw cycles each year. During those cycles, water seeps into the rocks, freezes, and expands by almost 10%. Over time, this process along with rain has slowly carved away the hoodoos we see today.
The hoodoos are some of the most unique natural features you’ll ever see, and they draw visitors from every corner of the world. For our purposes, these hoodoos provide an awesome subject to photograph. The spires are extremely colorful, sporting shades of red, orange, purple, and pink. These colors are even more evident during golden hour. The hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park are something you have to photograph in your lifetime. You’ll find yourself at a loss for words when you first see the amphitheaters. Now combine that with all that Zion National Park has to offer, and wow, what a trip!
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its jaw-dropping and otherworldly hoodoo rock formations. Hoodoos are tall spires, which consist of relatively soft rock capped by a harder rock that protects the structure from erosion. Bryce holds the highest density of hoodoos found anywhere in the world. The hoodoos are carved from the Claron Formation, which is a colorful set of rock deposited around 40-60 million years ago. The hoodoos were eventually eroded by millions and millions of freeze-thaw cycles. Bryce Canyon National Park experiences about 200 freeze-thaw cycles each year. During those cycles, water seeps into the rocks, freezes, and expands by almost 10%. Over time, this process along with rain has slowly carved away the hoodoos we see today.
The hoodoos are some of the most unique natural features you’ll ever see, and they draw visitors from every corner of the world. For our purposes, these hoodoos provide an awesome subject to photograph. The spires are extremely colorful, sporting shades of red, orange, purple, and pink. These colors are even more evident during golden hour. The hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park are something you have to photograph in your lifetime. You’ll find yourself at a loss for words when you first see the amphitheaters. Now combine that with all that Zion National Park has to offer, and wow, what a trip!
The Zion Canyon
The Zion Canyon is the highlight of Zion National Park. The canyon is nestled in an area of geologic importance called the Grand Staircase. The Grand Staircase began to forming approximately 150 million years ago via sedimentation. Around 13 million years ago, the area experienced an uplift of about 10,000 feet. This allowed rivers to carve and create the canyons, eroding them even further.
Today we are left with some of the most miraculous desert landscapes in the world, and that includes the Zion Canyon. The Zion Canyon is 15 miles long and up to almost 3,000 feet deep at sections. It is a relatively small area, but it offers mountains, canyons, arches, monoliths, slot canyons, rivers, thus it is an incredibly diverse canyon.It is also home to 289 birds, 75 mammals, and 32 species of reptile.
The canyon is an oasis with the Virgin River cutting through it. Even though it is desert, the river brings life to the canyon, adding to its aesthetics as a place for excellent photography. In spring, lime green Cottonwoods line the shores of the river and by fall, those greens turn to yellow. Whenever you can shoot water + foliage with red rock desertscapes, that's a win!
The Zion Canyon is the highlight of Zion National Park. The canyon is nestled in an area of geologic importance called the Grand Staircase. The Grand Staircase began to forming approximately 150 million years ago via sedimentation. Around 13 million years ago, the area experienced an uplift of about 10,000 feet. This allowed rivers to carve and create the canyons, eroding them even further.
Today we are left with some of the most miraculous desert landscapes in the world, and that includes the Zion Canyon. The Zion Canyon is 15 miles long and up to almost 3,000 feet deep at sections. It is a relatively small area, but it offers mountains, canyons, arches, monoliths, slot canyons, rivers, thus it is an incredibly diverse canyon.It is also home to 289 birds, 75 mammals, and 32 species of reptile.
The canyon is an oasis with the Virgin River cutting through it. Even though it is desert, the river brings life to the canyon, adding to its aesthetics as a place for excellent photography. In spring, lime green Cottonwoods line the shores of the river and by fall, those greens turn to yellow. Whenever you can shoot water + foliage with red rock desertscapes, that's a win!
Iconic Photo Spots
There’s no denying that Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park have their fair share of iconic spots to photograph.
Angel’s Landing is one in Zion National Park. Angel’s Landing towers 5,785 feet above sea level and is one of the more prominent sandstone monoliths in the park. I love photographing the peak from the comfort of the Virgin River, but the top of Angel’s Landing also offers a great view. I find the compositions in the valley to be more pleasing, but if you're adventurous, the hike to the top of Angel's Landing is definitely an exhilarating one!
There’s no denying that Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park have their fair share of iconic spots to photograph.
Angel’s Landing is one in Zion National Park. Angel’s Landing towers 5,785 feet above sea level and is one of the more prominent sandstone monoliths in the park. I love photographing the peak from the comfort of the Virgin River, but the top of Angel’s Landing also offers a great view. I find the compositions in the valley to be more pleasing, but if you're adventurous, the hike to the top of Angel's Landing is definitely an exhilarating one!
Other iconic spots in Zion National Park are the Court of the Patriarchs (my #1 favorite spot in the park), Great White Throne, The Watchman, as well as The Narrows, a world-renowned hike we’ll do on the ‘hiker’ itineraries in autumn (and spring-weather cooperating).
Bryce Canyon National Park is home to the famous Thor’s Hammer hoodoo. Thor’s Hammer is a great sunrise spot, as you can usually pair a sun star with the amazing hoodoo and create a total stunner image. Bryce also boasts an area of switchbacks called Wall Street.
Wall Street in an iconic spot where you can actually descend into Bryce Canyon and look up at the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon. There are no shortage of iconic spots in each park (there’s also a ton of opportunities for unique shots as well). Both parks are a great place to build your portfolio.
Wall Street in an iconic spot where you can actually descend into Bryce Canyon and look up at the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon. There are no shortage of iconic spots in each park (there’s also a ton of opportunities for unique shots as well). Both parks are a great place to build your portfolio.
Dramatic Weather
Spring and fall can produce some of the most interesting conditions for photography. Bryce Canyon National Park is thousands of feet higher than Zion, which means a chance of snow, which is such an added bonus for our imagery. My absolute favorite conditions for photographing Bryce Canyon National Park are immediately after a snowfall. The fresh snow completely simplifies the scene and creates an incredible contrast with the hoodoos. As photographers, we always hope for dramatic weather and I have experienced it a lot in Utah, but the best part about these parks is that there is always something to shoot regardless of conditions.
Both seasons bring the chance of clouds and an occasional storm as well. For all intensive purposes, those are great things for photography. In spring, isolated thunderstorms are not uncommon and can come through and provide world-class light. In fall, you may run into a light dusting of snow that contrasts nicely with the red rock walls.
I've visited both these parks over 10+ times, in spring and fall, and I can't put my finger on a favorite season. Both times of the year offer interesting subjects and great photography.
Spring and fall can produce some of the most interesting conditions for photography. Bryce Canyon National Park is thousands of feet higher than Zion, which means a chance of snow, which is such an added bonus for our imagery. My absolute favorite conditions for photographing Bryce Canyon National Park are immediately after a snowfall. The fresh snow completely simplifies the scene and creates an incredible contrast with the hoodoos. As photographers, we always hope for dramatic weather and I have experienced it a lot in Utah, but the best part about these parks is that there is always something to shoot regardless of conditions.
Both seasons bring the chance of clouds and an occasional storm as well. For all intensive purposes, those are great things for photography. In spring, isolated thunderstorms are not uncommon and can come through and provide world-class light. In fall, you may run into a light dusting of snow that contrasts nicely with the red rock walls.
I've visited both these parks over 10+ times, in spring and fall, and I can't put my finger on a favorite season. Both times of the year offer interesting subjects and great photography.
Learn more about Canyons of Utah: Zion & Bryce.
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AUTHOR
AUTHOR
Matt Meisenheimer is a photographer based in Wisconsin. His artistry revolves around finding unique compositions and exploring locations that few have seen. He strives to capture those brief moments of dramatic light and weather, which make our grand landscapes so special. Matt loves the process of photography – from planning trips and scouting locations, taking the shot in-field, to post-processing the final image.
Matt is an active adventurer and wildlife enthusiast as well. He graduated with a degree in wildlife ecology and worked in Denali National Park and Mount Rainier National Park as a biologist. He also spent 6 months working in the deserts of Namibia before finding his path in photography. Matt’s passion for the wilderness has taken him to many beautiful places around the world.
As a former university teaching assistant, Matt is passionate about instruction. It is his goal to give his students the technical and creative knowledge they need to achieve their own photographic vision. He truly enjoys working with photographers on a personal level and helping them reach their goals.
You can see Matt’s work and portfolio on his webpage at www.meisphotography.com
Matt is an active adventurer and wildlife enthusiast as well. He graduated with a degree in wildlife ecology and worked in Denali National Park and Mount Rainier National Park as a biologist. He also spent 6 months working in the deserts of Namibia before finding his path in photography. Matt’s passion for the wilderness has taken him to many beautiful places around the world.
As a former university teaching assistant, Matt is passionate about instruction. It is his goal to give his students the technical and creative knowledge they need to achieve their own photographic vision. He truly enjoys working with photographers on a personal level and helping them reach their goals.
You can see Matt’s work and portfolio on his webpage at www.meisphotography.com
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BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
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Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLCs - Copyright 2024
BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2024
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.