We're improving spot accuracy in all regions. View details→
We're improving spot accuracy in all regions. View details→
12 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Highwoods Park offers oak savanna, prairie, wetlands and a boardwalk — great for wide landscape vistas, seasonal wildflowers, migrating birds and intimate water reflections. Visit at golden hour or during spring migration and fall color. Parking available at the main lot off Frankfort Pkwy; trails are well-marked and mostly flat (no entry fee). Expect mosquitoes in summer; weekdays and early mornings are least crowded.
Small, accessible maplewood forest with winding trails, pockets of wetlands and open meadows — excellent for autumn color, intimate woodland scenes, birdlife and long-exposure water shots. Best at golden hour and during fall foliage; weekday mornings after light rain give saturated colors and few people. Parking available at lot off 47th St NE; no entry fee. Trails are mostly flat and partially accessible; watch for muddy sections. Ideal for close-up leaf textures, canopy light shafts and quiet,
Becker Big Woods is a small, accessible woodland preserve with mixed oak-maple forest, meandering trails and seasonal wetlands—excellent for intimate forest scenes, fall color, winter snow textures and birdlife. Best light is early morning or late afternoon; weekdays reduce foot traffic. Parking available near trailhead at 4975 Naber Ave NE; no entry fee. Trails are mostly compact dirt—easy hiking but wear boots after rain. Expect varied seasonal interest: spring ephemerals, vivid fall foliage,静
Small suburban park with pond, shoreline paths and open lawns offering reflections, seasonal foliage and migratory birds. Ideal for sunrise/sunset reflections, long exposures of smooth water and intimate nature scenes. Free entry, roadside parking; paths are mostly accessible. Visit spring-fall for birds and color, winter for stark snowy compositions. Weekdays and early mornings have few visitors.
A small community farm offering pastoral scenes — barns, fields, orchards and seasonal produce displays. Ideal for rustic textures, close-up plant/produce shots and wide landscape compositions. Best at golden hour (sunrise/sunset) for warm light and long shadows; spring and autumn bring blossoms or fall color. Site accessibility is generally good with on-site parking; check farm hours and ask permission before photographing animals, private events or volunteers. Weekday mornings are quieter.
Small riverfront community park with trails, open lawns, mature trees and river views—good for serene landscape and waterscape shots, seasonal color (spring blooms, autumn foliage, winter snows). Easy access with free parking and no entry fee; paths are walkable so minimal hiking. Best light at sunrise or golden hour for reflections on the water; weekdays and early mornings avoid families and dog walkers.
Small community park with ponds, open lawn, mature trees and walking trails — good for reflections, seasonal color (fall foliage, spring greens, winter snow) and intimate nature scenes. No entry fee; roadside parking on 32nd St NE. Best light: golden hour and overcast for portraits; weekdays are quieter.
Compact waterfront memorial with flagpoles, plaques and sculptural elements—strong graphic lines and reflections make good compositions. Easy public access with roadside parking; no entry fee. Best at sunrise/sunset for warm light and calm water; weekdays are quieter. Wheelchair-friendly paths and seasonal foliage add variety.
Small public water access on the Crow River offering quiet shoreline, tree-lined banks and reflective water—good for intimate waterscape and landscape shots. Best at sunrise or golden hour for warm light and mirror reflections; evenings give colorful skies. Easy roadside parking and no entry fee but limited facilities; expect bugs in summer and icy conditions in winter. Weekday mornings are least crowded. Accessible from the short footpath to the shore.
Small community park with lake, manicured lawns, walking paths and a pavilion — good for reflections, seasonal foliage and family/event shots. Best at sunrise or golden hour for warm light and glassy water; fall brings color, winter offers stark snowy scenes. Easy street parking on Landmark Dr, wheelchair-accessible paths, no entry fee. Weekday mornings are quieter for long exposures and portraits.
Small community splash pad in St. Michael offering colorful jets, spray features and playful motion—great for dynamic water action, candid family portraits and abstract droplet close-ups. Best visited in summer mornings or late afternoons for softer light and fewer crowds; golden hour backlighting makes droplets sparkle. Easy public access with nearby parking; no entry fee. Overcast days give even skin tones; be mindful of photographing children—get parental permission.
Small community park with mature trees, open lawns and neighborhood paths—great for intimate nature and seasonal-shoots (spring blossoms, summer greens, vivid fall foliage). Easy roadside parking and paved paths make gear transport simple; accessible year-round. Best light during golden hours for warm tones and long shadows; weekdays or early mornings minimize families and dog-walkers. No entry fee; respect local residents and leash rules.