Where to Take the Best Photos in Phoenix? Our 10 Must-See Spots

The capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Arizona is Phoenix. It is the most populous state capital and the sixth most populous city in the US. World-class resorts, golf courses, art galleries, and a thriving food scene can all be found in Phoenix. It has a ton of beautiful locations! Although it is difficult to pick just ten, we have compiled a list of our top ten locations for stunning photos while you're there.

We're sharing our top picks for breathtaking photo spots in Phoenix in this guide. In order to avoid crowds and capture the ideal light, we also advise you on the best time and method to visit each location.

Let's take a tour of the city's most picturesque locations, ideal for making memories along the way.

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1. Camelback Mountain

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The name Camelback Mountain comes from the fact that it is shaped like the head and hump of a crouching camel. Situated between Phoenix's Arcadia neighbourhood and the municipality of Paradise Valley, the mountain is a well-known landmark and the tallest point in the Phoenix metropolitan area. As the Echo Canyon Recreation Area, a well-liked hiking and rock climbing attraction, the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department looks for the mountain's access, trails, and public amenities.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  Panoramic desert views and iconic red rock formations.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Sunrise for soft golden light and cooler temps.
• Photography tip 📷
  Frame your shot with desert cacti for depth.

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2. Papago Park (Hole-in-the-Rock)

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The natural geological formation known as "Hole-in-the-Rock" was claimed by its name in 1892 and was located in Papago Park, a municipal park. A little hill made of naked red arkosic conglomeritic sandstone with a number of worn holes known as "Holes-in-the-Rock." The park's most visited feature is the formation. A nice climbing trail that goes behind the hill provides easy access to the entrances and main chamber near the peak. To get to the chamber, one can alternatively ascend the hill's face. The trail is well-liked yet can be hazardous. West of the park, the chamber offers a nice perspective of Phoenix. The wind that blows through the holes in the rock is almost constant.

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• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  Unique sandstone formations with a natural "window."
• Best time to visit 📅
  Sunset when the sky glows through the rock.
• Photography tip 📷
  Shoot through the hole for a framed skyline shot.

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3. Desert Botanical Garden

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The Arizona Cactus and Native Flora Society founded the 140-acre Desert Botanical Garden in 1937, and it was built on this site in 1939. Today, the garden boasts over 50,000 plants in over 4,000 taxa, with 379 rare, threatened, or endangered species among its more than 50,000 native plants. Specialised tours, workshops, and lectures on desert horticulture and landscaping, nature photography and art, and health and wellness are available at the Garden.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  Thousands of cacti and desert plants are in full bloom.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Early morning before crowds arrive.
• Photography tip 📷
  Get close-ups of cacti with mountain backdrops.

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4. South Mountain Park & Preserve

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One of the biggest urban parks in North America and the world, South Mountain Park is the biggest municipal park in the US. A Phoenix Point of Pride designation has been given to it. A rugged 16,283-acre tract, or around 25.5 square miles, of native desert vegetation is preserved in its natural state within South Mountain Park. Established in 1924 under the name Phoenix Mountain Park, it has subsequently undergone bond programme expansions in the 1970s and early 1980s. The name comes from the fact that it lies south of the centre of Phoenix. Suburban development has almost completely encircled the park since its naming.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  One of the largest municipal parks in the U.S. with sweeping desert views.
• Best time to visit  📅
  Golden hour for magical desert light.
• Photography tip 📷
  Use a wide lens to capture the endless horizon.

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5. Chase Field Rooftop View

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Chase Field, formerly known as Bank One Ballpark, is a downtown stadium with a retractable roof. The Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball play their home games there. In 1998, the year the Diamondbacks made their debut as an expansion team, it opened. Although it has been using artificial turf since 2019, Chase Field was the first stadium in the US to be constructed with a retractable cover over a natural grass playing field. International soccer matches and concerts are occasionally held at the stadium. The end lines are positioned perpendicular to the third-base line, and temporary seats have been erected on the east side of the field for football and soccer games.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  Downtown skyline meets the iconic ballpark.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Evening, especially during game nights.
• Photography tip 📷
  Use city lights as a glowing backdrop.

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6. Japanese Friendship Garden

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The Japanese Friendship Garden, or Rohō-en in Japanese, is a beautiful walking garden. The garden is 3.5 acres in size. Phoenix and Himeji, sister cities, collaborated on the project. The City of Phoenix designated it as one of the Phoenix Points of Pride in 2004. In addition to more than 50 types of flora, the garden has more than 1,500 tonnes of hand-picked rock, lanterns, and stone footbridges. The Japanese Tea House is one of the Japanese Friendship Garden's primary attractions. 3.5 acres in total, including a 5/8-acre koi pond. Two types of bamboo are among the more than fifty plant varieties on display in the garden.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  Peaceful koi ponds, stone bridges, and Zen gardens.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Morning for calm reflections on the water.
• Photography tip 📷
  Shoot from low angles to capture symmetry.

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7. Wrigley Mansion

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A Phoenix Point of Pride designation has been given to the residence. William Wrigley Jr., a chewing-gum tycoon, built the iconic Wrigley Mansion between 1929 and 1931. La Colina Solana and William Wrigley Jr. Winter Cottage are other names for it. It is situated near the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, which was owned by Wrigley, at 2501 East Telewa Trail, on a 100-foot knoll with views of greater Phoenix to the south. 1989 saw the addition of the Wrigley Mansion to the National Register of Historic Places. In 2011, 2009, and 2008, the home was named the winner of The Knot Weddings.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  Historic charm with sweeping city views.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Sunset for golden light over Phoenix.
• Photography tip 📷
  Capture the mansion with the skyline in the background.

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8. Tempe Town Lake (just outside Phoenix)

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Just north of Tempe Butte, at the meeting point of the ephemeral Indian Bend Wash and the intermittent Salt River, sits Tempe Town Lake, an artificial perpetual reservoir. The Central Arizona Project transports the majority of the reservoir's water from the Colorado River. When a  section of the dam's west side fell in 2010, the lake's water was drained and a deluge of water entered the Salt River. Tempe Beach Park, which was first constructed in 1931, had a comprehensive renovation in 1999 as part of the Town Lake building. There are five miles of routes around the lake that are accessible from the park for jogging, cycling, or inline skating.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  Water reflections with a city-meets-nature vibe.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Evening when the lights reflect on the lake.
• Photography tip 📷
  Use long exposure for silky water shots.

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9. Phoenix Zoo

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The largest privately owned nonprofit zoo in the US is the Phoenix Zoo, which opened its doors in 1962. Located on 125 acres in Phoenix's Papago Park neighbourhood, the zoo was established by Robert Maytag, a member of the Maytag family. A Phoenix Point of Pride designation has been given to it. The zoo features 2.5 miles of walking trails and more than 1,400 species on exhibit. The Arizona Trail, the Africa Trail, the Tropics Trail, and the Children's Trail—which features a petting zoo—are its four primary themed regions or trails.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  Wide open landscapes with giraffes and zebras against desert backdrops.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Morning, when animals are most active.
• Photography tip 📷
  Zoom in for animal portraits with desert scenery behind.

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10. Roosevelt Row Arts District

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Roosevelt Row is a walking arts neighbourhood in downtown Phoenix that features boutique stores, eateries, cafes, and art galleries surrounded by beautiful street art. The weekly First Fridays Art Walk and yearly celebrations like the M3F Music Festival, Phoestivus, the Pie Social, and others are well-liked events in the neighbourhood. It is the region's creative hub and a charming, walkable neighbourhood that embraces art and culture everywhere. It is also home to some of the top restaurants in the area, as well as public art, performance spaces, art galleries, unique boutiques, and independent retail establishments. The eye-catching murals splattered throughout RoRo's urban canvas, which showcase the wide range of gifted local painters, are an unmistakable Arts District hallmark.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  Colorful street murals and urban vibes.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Daytime to fully capture mural colors.
• Photography tip 📷
  Look for angles that show multiple murals at once.

Final Thoughts

These are the top photography spots you won't want to miss in Phoenix. However, there is much more to see and enjoy, as the city offers endless photo opportunities. Take a walk and explore more, and make both your day and your photos amazing. Hopefully, this guide will help you capture your best moments in Phoenix.

Ready to explore?
Don’t forget to bring extra storage, as you’ll be taking a lot of photos.

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