Washington Photographic Destinations

Oysterville Grays Harbor Lighthouse The Palouse Hoh Rain Forest - Olympic National Park

Let me help you to find a great location in Washington for your next photography adventure.  I will list many lesser known destinations, as well as the famous “Icon Locations” for photography.  I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information,  consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination.  I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip.  I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to insure a quality guide to great locations for photography in Washington.

Interactive Google Map

Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page.

Washington Photographic Destinations

Washington Destinations
  The Palouse The Palouse Is a region of  Southeastern Washington where there are no continuous valleys, and the hills do not connect to make long ridges. These hills were not created by rivers and streams but instead by silt deposits. The Palouse still is the world’s leader in the production of soft white winter wheat. The combination of mild winters, wet springs and dry summers creates the ideal conditions for the crop. Admission There are no fees to photograph in the Palouse, however it is mostly private property and you should ask permission before entering any fields or buildings.  There are several locations that require a Washington state Discover Pass including Steptoe Butte, Kamiak Butte, and Palouse Falls.  A one day pass is $11.00 or an annual pass is $33.00 and can be purchased online here. What to Photograph: The natural form of the land gives unique form, shape, and shadows. Add to this the lines and patterns of farming, a great deal of color, and you have the recipe for great photography.  This time of year the Palouse offers rolling hills of green wheat, yellow flowering canola, and pea and lentil for as far as the eye can see.  Toss in an old weathered red barn, a grain silo, and an old truck and you have picture perfect rural America. Possible Photo Subjects Rolling Fields of Green and Yellow Vistas From Steptoe Butte Grain Silos and Elevators Old Barns Abandoned Houses Manning-Rye Covered Bridge T.A. Leonard Barn Farm Equipment Night Sky Windmills Small Town Rural America Palouse Falls which drops from a height of 198-feet with high volumes of water flow in spring and early summer. The canyon at the falls is 377 feet deep, exposing a large cross-section of the Columbia River Basalt Group. These falls and the canyon downstream were created by the great Missoula Floods that swept periodically across eastern Washington and across the Columbia River Plateau.   Best Time for Photographers: The Palouse changes thru the seasons and excellent photos can be made at anytime.  The peak time for catching the bright green and yellow color of the fields is in May and June.  In July and August the fields turn gold and harvesting is in process providing a whole new range of photo subjects.  Early in the morning and late evening will bring out the full form and texture of the rolling hills sculpted by light and shadow. Getting There: Driving Directions From Seattle, take I-90 east to Vantage, then SR-26 east to the starting point just past Washtucna. The 208-mile byway is neither a loop nor a straight line, but includes sections of various highways in southeast Washington that crisscross and connect several small farm communities. The byway begins when SR-26 reaches the Palouse River near Hooper and continues east, then north, south and west. Maps: Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Location Contact Information:   Pullman Chamber of Commerce 415 N. Grand Ave., Washington, 99163 509-334-3565/800-365-6948 Colfax Chamber of Commerce 623 N Perkins Ave, Colfax, WA 99111 Mailing address: PO Box 706 Colfax, WA 99111 Phone: 509-553-9729 Palouse Photo Gallery Click Here for full page gallery More Photographic Destinations in Washington: Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page. Click Here for Photographic Destinations by State   All the information in this post was believed to be accurate at the time it was published.  Please be sure to double check with the location before relying on this information as everything changes over time, especially hours, prices, and whether the location is still open.   Great Places for Great Photos   Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure.  I will list many lesser-known destinations, as well as the famous "Icon Locations" for photography.  I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination.  I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip.  I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to ensure a quality guide to great locations for photography. If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!     Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country.  Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos. Greg offers both classroom instruction and in the field hands on photographic workshops. Classroom sessions are normally held in Fort Smith Arkansas, but arrangements can be made to bring a class to your group. All classes and workshops have small class sizes designed to provide an optimum student to instructor ratio, where you can get the personal attention, you need.  Most classes and workshops are limited to a maximum of six participants and will be held with a minimum of only two. If you are looking for a wonderful opportunity to get personal individual instruction, I do private workshops and classes at a location of your choice, whether doing a location photo shoot, coming to your home or business, traveling across the country on a road trip, or at my classroom.  This is a fantastic way to learn digital workflow and be sure that your computer equipment is properly configured for optimum performance. [...]Read more...
Oysterville Oysterville is a historical community nestled into the Willapa Bay on the Long Beach Peninsula in Washington State. The once lusty boomtown of the mid-nineteenth century faded with the oyster population, leaving behind lovely homes and pioneer descendants, several of whom still own their ancestral properties. Oysterville was established and named in 1854 by J.A. Clark. It was a hub of oyster farming as the name suggests. It was the seat of Pacific County until the seat was relocated to South Bend in 1893. The town has several historic buildings, including a school house and historic homes, many built prior to 1880. Most of the buildings in this once prosperous town have been lost to the sea and the elements. Oysterville was placed on the National Register of Historic Districts in 1976 as Oysterville Historic District. Oysterville Sea Farms is a Seafood market featuring fresh oysters and clams from our farms, open oysters, and our own line of Willabay Specialty Foods products, including homemade cereal, breading, dried fruits and baking mixes. Clam chowder, deli items, beer and wine are available to enjoy on our pier overlooking Willapa Bay. The 80-acre Oysterville National Historic District and the areas immediately adjacent to it are the heart of Oysterville. With Willapa Bay as its backdrop, the historic district feels like a movie back lot version of a 19th century coastal community. In fact, some structures actually are from the 19th century. Eight houses, a church, the Oysterville cannery and a one-room schoolhouse are on the National Register of Historic Places. Though Oysterville is a ghost town, it has life. Oysterville’s post office is the oldest continuously operating post office in Washington state. The Oysterville Store sells groceries, souvenirs and gifts and is open year round. Oysterville Sea Farms sells seafood from its farms and specialty foods from its bakery daily. The Oysterville Church is open everyday of the year. The Oysterville cannery and all eight of the houses listed on the National Register of Historic Places create almost constant activity as they are maintained and repaired by their private owners. similar efforts are made by non-profit organizations to maintain and repair the church and one-room schoolhouse. It was the California Gold Rush of 1849 that drew significant numbers of settlers of European descent to Oysterville. Gold miners loved to spend their gold on Willapa Bay oysters. Settlers and Chinook Peoples gladly filled schooners with oysters to be shipped to San Francisco. Oysterville exists primarily as a state of mind. A walk through Oysterville can reveal the supremacy of nature; evoking connections to generations gone by, while subtly forecasting the folly of generations present and future. visitors often find themselves seeking sanctuary in the peace and insight they discovered here, long after they have left Oysterville. What to Photograph The entire town is very photographic with historic buildings and a quaint charm.  Willapa bay at low tide seems to stretch on forever and the grounded boats at the Oysterville Sea Farms make for some dramatic photos. Where it is: Oysterville is located in the lost corner of southwest Washington State.  It is the most northern settlement on the North Beach Peninsula, which has the mighty Columbia River on its south, the Pacific Ocean on its west, and Willapa Bay on its east. Once you are on the Peninsula, drive north on Highway 103 until you reach a T-stop at Oysterville Road. Turn right driving east toward Willapa Bay. The road makes a gentle bend and turns into First Street. Maps: Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view.   Click here for PDF download of walking tour map. GPS: 46°32’59.297″ N 124°1’34.427″ W Cost: There is no cost to visit Oysterville. Location Contact Information: Willabay, Inc. PO Box 6 Oysterville, Washington 98641 Voice: 360-665-6585 Fax: 360-665-3425 E-mail:  info@willabay.com Oysterville Photo Gallery Click Here for full page gallery   More Photographic Destinations in Washington: Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page. Click Here for Photographic Destinations by State   All the information in this post was believed to be accurate at the time it was published.  Please be sure to double check with the location before relying on this information as everything changes over time, especially hours, prices, and whether the location is still open.   Great Places for Great Photos   Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure.  I will list many lesser-known destinations, as well as the famous "Icon Locations" for photography.  I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination.  I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip.  I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to ensure a quality guide to great locations for photography. If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!     Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country.  Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos. Greg offers both classroom instruction and in the field hands on photographic workshops. Classroom sessions are normally held in Fort Smith Arkansas, but arrangements can be made to bring a class to your group. All classes and workshops have small class sizes designed to provide an optimum student to instructor ratio, where you can get the personal attention, you need.  Most classes and workshops are limited to a maximum of six participants and will be held with a minimum of only two. If you are looking for a wonderful opportunity to get personal individual instruction, I do private workshops and classes at a location of your choice, whether doing a location photo shoot, coming to your home or business, traveling across the country on a road trip, or at my classroom.  This is a fantastic way to learn digital workflow and be sure that your computer equipment is properly configured for optimum performance. [...]Read more...
  Hoh Rain Forest   The Hoh Rain Forest is located in the stretch of the Pacific Northwest rainforest which once spanned the Pacific Remove Tagcoast from southeastern Alaska to the central coast of California. The Hoh is one of the finest remaining examples of temperate rainforest in the United States and is one of the park’s most popular destinations. Throughout the winter season, rain falls frequently in the Hoh Rain Forest, contributing to the yearly total of 140 to 170 inches (or 12 to 14 feet!) of precipitation each year. The result is a lush, green canopy of both coniferous and deciduous species. Mosses and ferns that blanket the surfaces add another dimension to the enchantment of the rainforest. The Hoh Rain Forest is a World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, and the ecosystem have not changed in thousands of years making it one of the best preserved rain forests in the northern hemisphere. Admission & Hours Olympic National Park is open 24 hours a day year-round, although some roads, campgrounds and facilities are open seasonally. The park entrance fee is $20 for a private, non-commercial vehicle, $10 for individuals entering on a motorcycle, or $7 for individuals entering on foot or bicycle. Entrance fees are good for seven consecutive days. Annual, interagency, military, senior and access passes are also available. Additional fees are charged for camping, wilderness overnight use, and commercial use. The visitor center is open daily during the summer, closed December through early March, and generally open Friday through Sunday during the spring and fall seasons (hours may vary according to season.)   What to Photograph: The majority of the rainforest is lined with nurse logs, ferns, moss, and other temperate plant species. Near the visitor center is the Hall of Mosses Trail, a short trail—0.8 miles which gives visitors a feel for the local ecosystem and views of maples draped with large growths of spikemoss. Olympic National Park is home to the largest un-managed herd of Roosevelt elk in the Pacific Northwest. Best Time for Photographers: Anytime is a good time here, there is enough variety and different angles to be able to shoot all day long.  With the area receiving over 12 feet of rain per year, chances are it will be raining or at least misting.  This is a good thing when photographing the rain forest, as it will provide a soft light and the moss will be very lush and green. Getting There: Driving Directions The Hoh lies on the west side of Olympic National Park, about a two-hour drive from Port Angeles and under an hour from Forks. The Hoh Rain Forest is accessed by the Upper Hoh Road, off of Highway 101   Maps: Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Facilities Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center Rest rooms Open Daily in summer; open Friday-Sunday remainder of year. Hours vary according to season. Visitor information, exhibits about Olympic’s temperate rain forests. Self-guided nature trails; one accessible with some assistance. Wilderness use permits and animal resistant food containers available. The Hoh Rain Forest has a campground that is open year round, with 88 sites located in the old growth forest along the river. Location Contact Information: Visitor Information (360) 565-3130 Road & Weather Hotline (360) 565-3131 Olympic National Park Visitor Center 3002 Mount Angeles Road Port Angeles, WA 98362 Mailing Address 600 East Park Avenue Port Angeles, WA 98362 Nearest City or Town:  Forks Hoh Rain Forest Photo Gallery Click Here for full page gallery More Photographic Destinations in Washington: Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page. Click Here for Photographic Destinations by State   All the information in this post was believed to be accurate at the time it was published.  Please be sure to double check with the location before relying on this information as everything changes over time, especially hours, prices, and whether the location is still open.   Great Places for Great Photos   Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure.  I will list many lesser-known destinations, as well as the famous "Icon Locations" for photography.  I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination.  I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip.  I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to ensure a quality guide to great locations for photography. If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!     Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country.  Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos. Greg offers both classroom instruction and in the field hands on photographic workshops. Classroom sessions are normally held in Fort Smith Arkansas, but arrangements can be made to bring a class to your group. All classes and workshops have small class sizes designed to provide an optimum student to instructor ratio, where you can get the personal attention, you need.  Most classes and workshops are limited to a maximum of six participants and will be held with a minimum of only two. If you are looking for a wonderful opportunity to get personal individual instruction, I do private workshops and classes at a location of your choice, whether doing a location photo shoot, coming to your home or business, traveling across the country on a road trip, or at my classroom.  This is a fantastic way to learn digital workflow and be sure that your computer equipment is properly configured for optimum performance. [...]Read more...
Grays Harbor Lighthouse The Grays Harbor Lighthouse (Westport Light) is located on Point Chehalis on the southern side of the entrance to Grays Harbor, Westport, Washington. The 107-foot Grays Harbor Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in Washington and the third tallest on the West Coast. It marks the entrance to Grays Harbor, which is one of Washington’s few outer-coast harbors, and was first lit in 1898. Construction began in 1897, using plans drawn up by architect Carl Leick, at a site facing the Pacific Ocean about 400 feet from water’s edge. Massive amounts of accretion, due in large part to the jetty system at the entrance to Grays Harbor, have since built up, and the lighthouse now stands approximately 3,000 feet from high tide. The base of the lighthouse rests on a 12-foot-thick foundation of sandstone. The lighthouse walls, which are four feet thick at the base, are made of brick with a coating of cement on the exterior. Originally windows lit the interior of the tower, but to cut down on maintenance they were cemented over when electricity was added to the station. One hundred thirty-five metal stairs bolted to the wall lead to the lantern room. The light’s initial signature was a five-second white flash, darkness, then a five-second red flash. After electricity reached the lighthouse, the signature became white flashes followed by 15 seconds of darkness, then red flashes followed by 15 seconds of darkness. In August 1992, the original third order Fresnel lens was turned off. A smaller light (FA-251), manufactured in New Zealand, was mounted to the balcony. The new light operates on a 35 watt bulb and can be seen 19 miles with the white sector, 17 on the red sector. The original lens still occupies the lantern room. In late 1960s, the Coast Guard automated the light. In 1977, the lighthouse achieved listing on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2004, under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000, ownership was transferred to the Westport-South Beach Historical Society, which conducts regular tours. The light station is adjacent to Westport Light State Park. What to Photograph The historic Lighthouse is really the only thing to photograph at the site, but the area has much to offer.     Where it is: Address 1020 Ocean Avenue Westport, Washington 360-268-0078 Maps: Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view.   GPS: 46°53’15.31″ N 124°6’59.992″ W Cost: Admission The grounds and outside the lighthouse are free, the fee is to climb the tower. All Climbers: $5 Active & Retired Coast Guard Free with Military ID Must be at least 5 years old and 40″ tall to climb Hours: SUMMER (June through August) Open Daily 11 AM to 5 PM ​ AUTUMN (September and October) Open Thursday through Monday 12 PM to 4 PM Closed Tuesday and Wednesday ​ WINTER November: By appointment only  December and January: CLOSED ​ SPRING (February through May 31st) Open Thursday through Monday 12 to 4 PM Closed Tuesday and Wednesday ​ Hours may vary. Please call 360.268.0078 Location Contact Information: WESTPORT SOUTH BEACH HISTORICAL SOCIETY 360.268.0078 1020 Ocean Avenue Westport, Washington 360-268-0078 Grays Harbor Lighthouse Photo Gallery Click Here for full page gallery   More Photographic Destinations in Washington: Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page. Click Here for Photographic Destinations by State    All the information in this post was believed to be accurate at the time it was published.  Please be sure to double check with the location before relying on this information as everything changes over time, especially hours, prices, and whether the location is still open.   Great Places for Great Photos   Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure.  I will list many lesser-known destinations, as well as the famous "Icon Locations" for photography.  I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination.  I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip.  I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to ensure a quality guide to great locations for photography. If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!     Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country.  Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos. Greg offers both classroom instruction and in the field hands on photographic workshops. Classroom sessions are normally held in Fort Smith Arkansas, but arrangements can be made to bring a class to your group. All classes and workshops have small class sizes designed to provide an optimum student to instructor ratio, where you can get the personal attention, you need.  Most classes and workshops are limited to a maximum of six participants and will be held with a minimum of only two. If you are looking for a wonderful opportunity to get personal individual instruction, I do private workshops and classes at a location of your choice, whether doing a location photo shoot, coming to your home or business, traveling across the country on a road trip, or at my classroom.  This is a fantastic way to learn digital workflow and be sure that your computer equipment is properly configured for optimum performance. [...]Read more...