Discover Inyo
27 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Death Valley
Vast desert vistas: shifting Mesquite Flat Dunes, mirror-like Badwater Basin salt flats, colorful badlands at Zabriskie Point, Artist’s Drive palettes, and dramatic canyons. Best at sunrise/sunset for low-angle light and long shadows; clear nights offer excellent Milky Way views. Park is remote — bring water, fuel, and a National Park pass; summer highs can be extreme (access to some dirt roads limited). Most main pullouts have parking but arrive early to secure spots.
Badwater Basin
Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America: vast white salt polygon flats stretching to the Panamint Range. Photograph dramatic foreground textures, repeating hexagonal patterns, long leading lines and vast negative space at sunrise or sunset; after rare rains the flats reflect sky for mirror-like compositions. Practical: located inside Death Valley NP (entrance fee), short walk from the parking area/boardwalk; extreme heat in summer—visit dawn/dusk, bring water, sun protection and good
Nightmare Rock
Nightmare Rock is a granite viewpoint off Whitney Portal Rd offering dramatic foreground textures with Mount Whitney and the Sierra crest as a backdrop. Best at golden hour or blue hour for side-lit detail and long shadows; summer and fall nights are excellent for Milky Way work. Short scramble from roadside—parking is limited near pullouts, layers recommended for high desert temperature swings, and check seasonal road closures. Close to Alabama Hills film scenery and Paiute cultural lands.
Artists Palette
Artists Palette: a short one-way drive through multicolored volcanic hills—rich ochres, pinks, greens and purples—formed by oxidized minerals. Best photographed late afternoon or golden hour when low sun saturates hues; colors also pop after rare rains. Access via paved Artists Drive (one-way, narrow); small turnout/parking. Death Valley park fee applies. Avoid midday heat and bring water; early mornings or weekdays reduce crowds.
Aguereberry Point
Aguereberry Point is a high panoramic overlook in Death Valley offering sweeping vistas of Panamint Valley, Badwater Basin salt flats and jagged Panamint Range—ideal for wide landscape frames, dramatic sunrises/sunsets and Milky Way nightscapes. Accessible via park roads (Death Valley NP entrance required); bring plenty of water, sun protection and check road conditions—high clearance recommended. Parking is limited at the turnout; expect strong winds and extreme heat in summer.
Devil's Golf Course
Crystallized salt formations create jagged, lunar-like textures ideal for abstract landscape and macro shots. Best at sunrise or sunset when low-angle light sculpts the ridges; midday light is harsh and flattens detail. Located in Death Valley NP — expect extreme heat, bring ample water, sunscreen and sturdy shoes. Short walk from a roadside turnout; park entrance fee applies. Stay on designated paths to protect fragile crust and for safety.
36.583882
High Sierra alpine vantage with granite ridgelines, glacial cirques and sweeping views down into the Owens Valley and toward the Mount Whitney massif. Photographers can capture dramatic sunrise/sunset side-lighting on textured granite, seasonal wildflower carpets, and clear night skies. Access is seasonal — best from late June to early October when snow melts. Expect dirt or single‑lane forest roads; a high‑clearance vehicle may be needed. Day-use parking is limited; carry a national forest/park
Cell Rock Tower
A dramatic granite spire rising from the Alabama Hills with sweeping views of the Sierra Nevada and Mt. Whitney—excellent for silhouette, scale shots, and night skies. Best at golden hour and blue hour when warm light grazes the rock faces; excellent milky‑way views after dark. Access via Horseshoe Meadows Rd and rough dirt tracks; high‑clearance or 4x4 may be needed for some pullouts. No entry fee (BLM land), there are informal parking spots and short scrambles to vantage points. Weekdays and ±
608 Death Valley Road
A roadside gateway into the vast Death Valley landscapes—salt flats, rolling desert, and distant mountain silhouettes dominate the frame. Best for dramatic wide-angle vistas, sunrise/sunset color, and night-sky work. Accessible year-round from the paved Death Valley Road; park entrance fee applies. Arrive at dawn or dusk for low-angle light and long shadows; avoid mid-day heat (summer temperatures extreme). Small pullouts provide parking; carry water, sun protection, and check NPS road/closure/4
Wildrose Charcoal Kilns
Late 19th‑century beehive charcoal kilns set against Wildrose Canyon and Panamint peaks — dramatic textures, repeating shapes and desaturated desert tones make striking compositions. Best at golden hour or blue hour for warm side lighting and long shadows; excellent for nightscape/startrail work. Accessible via a graded dirt road off Emigrant Canyon Road; short walk from a small pullout. No fee, limited shade, extreme heat in summer—plan mornings or cooler months. Respect fragile historic fabric
Death Valley Junction Historic District
Compact, photogenic remnant of Badwater-era Americana centered on the Amargosa Opera House, vintage motel, and gas pumps. Capture weathered facades, neon, and desert light. Best at golden hour or blue hour for contrast; midweek mornings avoid tourists. High desert heat in summer; carry water. Easy pull-offs and limited parking; no entry fees but respect private property and seasonal events.
Spainhower Park
Small, easily accessible town park in Lone Pine with direct views up Lone Pine Valley toward the Sierra Nevada and Mt. Whitney. Ideal for framing mountain silhouettes, alpenglow and Milky Way shots. Parking curbside on N Main St; no entry fee. Best at sunrise and sunset for dramatic side lighting; summer nights for clear starfields. Weekday mornings are quieter. Bring layers—high-desert temps swing quickly.
Death Valley Junction
Tiny, remote crossroads anchored by the quirky Amargosa Opera House & Hotel, colorful painted facades, vintage signage and stark Mojave desert expanses. Shoot architectural details, neon and weathered textures, plus vast desert light at sunrise/sunset. Accessible by paved road; free roadside parking but limited on-site spaces. No entry fees for exteriors; respect private property and seasonal opening hours. Avoid mid‑day summer heat — spring and fall offer milder temperatures and clearer air.
Icons of Payahuunadü Mural
Large mural honoring the Payahuunadü (Mono Lake Paiute) sits within the stark landscape of Manzanar National Historic Site. Photograph the mural for its vivid colors and cultural storytelling, and include surrounding desert, orchard rows, and distant Sierra Nevada for context. Visit near sunrise or late afternoon for warm side light and long shadows; weekdays and off-season reduce visitors. Site is accessible from the Manzanar visitor center—check NPS hours, parking is available; be respectful:拍
Independence Park
Small town park next to the Inyo County Courthouse with sweeping views of the Owens Valley and Sierra Nevada ridgeline. Photographers can capture courthouse/brick architecture with mountain backdrops, intimate memorials and open skies ideal for sunset and Milky Way shots. Easy street parking, no entry fee, wheelchair-accessible paths; best visited at sunrise or golden hour for warm light on peaks and late night for astrophotography. Weekdays are quieter; bring layers—desert temps change fast.
Surprise Canyon Wilderness
Tight granite and sandstone narrows, seasonal cascades and emerald pools make Surprise Canyon a rewarding micro-landscape in Death Valley. Photograph dramatic slot-like walls, textured rock, and reflective water after winter/spring rains. Access is remote: expect a multi-mile hike on rough desert trails, no facilities, extreme heat in summer. Best visited late fall–spring or within days after storms for water and muted light; mornings and late afternoons yield softer side-light on canyon walls.
Museum of Western Film History
Small, focused museum documenting Hollywood Westerns filmed around Lone Pine — shoot vintage posters, costumes, props, film stills and intimate dioramas. Combine interior detail shots with exterior Main Street context and nearby Sierra/Alabama Hills backdrops. Visit weekdays or shoulder seasons for fewer tour groups; mid-morning to late-afternoon gives even interior light. Street parking and short walk-ins common; confirm seasonal hours/entry fee before travel.
Tuttle Creek Campground
Tuttle Creek Campground sits in the shadow of the Sierra Nevada near Lone Pine, offering tight creek reflections, granite outcrops and wide valley views with Mt. Whitney backdrop. Ideal for sunrise alpenglow, golden-hour valley light, and dark-sky nightscapes. Accessible by car with basic campground fees/permits; parking at campsites and pullouts. Visit spring for wildflowers, summer for camping, and clear autumn nights for Milky Way. Expect basic facilities and seasonal crowds near holidays.
Bishop Paiute Reservation
Photograph a living Paiute community framed by the Eastern Sierra — low-rise tribal buildings, the Paiute Cultural Center exhibits, and wide Owens Valley landscapes with dramatic mountain backdrops. Visit at golden hour for warm side-light on adobe and mountain ridgelines; winter brings snow-capped peaks, summer offers wildflower foregrounds. The reservation is active tribal land: be respectful, seek permission before shooting people or private property. Parking is limited at the cultural center
Lone Pine Pheasant Club
Rural private club in the Owens Valley offering classic high-desert and foothill compositions: rolling grasslands, seasonal ponds, pasture textures and distant Sierra Nevada peaks (including Mount Whitney). Best at golden hour and blue hour for warm side-light and dramatic silhouettes; spring yields wildflowers and more bird activity, winter adds snow-capped peaks. Property is private—obtain permission before entering. Access via a paved county road with limited on-site parking; expect rural, un
110 Alpine Drive
Residential spot in Bishop's Eastern Sierra foothills offering direct views of the Sierra Nevada peaks, wide valley light and nearby waterways. Best at sunrise and golden hour when peaks glow; late spring–fall yields wildflowers and clear air, winter offers snow-capped summits. Easy roadside access and street parking; no entry required for public viewpoints. Low light pollution makes it useful for dusk and star work. Expect rural traffic and seasonal weather changes.
Wild West Show Museum
Small museum on Lone Pine's historic Main St showcasing Wild West film posters, costumes, props and dioramas — great for close-up texture shots and environmental portraits. Photograph the vintage storefront with the Sierra Nevada as a backdrop at golden hour; interiors are dim so plan for low-light shooting. Street parking nearby; check current hours/entry fee and ask staff before using tripod or flash. Weekday mornings are quieter.
Southern Inyo Museum
Small local museum documenting Owens Valley history, Native American artifacts, mining and Hollywood location stories. Photograph well-lit exhibit cases, period photos, and the modest historic façade on Bush Street. Best visited weekday mornings for soft exterior light and fewer visitors; afternoons offer steady interior lighting but check photo policy. Street parking and a small lot nearby; modest entry fee and limited seasonal hours. Respect fragile artifacts and staff rules.
Eastern California Museum
Small regional museum in a historic courthouse building documenting Owens Valley, Paiute culture, pioneer life and local photography archives. Photograph the exterior architecture framed against the Sierra peaks at golden hour, intimate exhibit cases, vintage photographs and period interiors. Best visited weekday mornings or late afternoons for soft light and fewer visitors; check opening hours and modest entry fee; parking is available on Grant St. Respect cultural sensitivity around Native‑Sac
Dehy Park
Small town park in Independence with clear sightlines to the Sierra Nevada and open Owens Valley light — good for wide landscapes, mountain silhouettes, and low-angle sun. Easy access off N Edwards St with parking; no entry fee. Best at sunrise or late afternoon for warm side-light and long shadows; winters yield crisp air and dramatic snow-capped peaks, summers are dry and bright. Weekdays are quiet; bring sun protection and water in hot months.
Mary Austin House
Late 19th–early 20th‑century writer Mary Austin’s modest historic house in Independence offers intimate architectural details, period textures and a quiet small‑town Main Street setting with the Sierra Nevada as distant backdrop. Best photographed at golden hour or on overcast days to bring out wood grain and muted paint tones. Street parking is available; check local museum hours for interior access. Weekday mornings are least crowded.
