Discover Murray
18 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Wheeler Historic Farm
Working historic farm with Victorian house, vintage tractors, gardens, animals and trails—great for documentary and family portraits. Best at golden hour or overcast for even light; weekends have farmer’s market crowds (weekday mornings quieter). Free entry; parking onsite; stroller- and dog-friendly.
Murray Park
Murray Park offers a mix of manicured rose gardens, open lawns, a meandering stream with small bridges, gazebo and amphitheater — great for portrait, garden and casual landscape shots. Best in spring–summer for roses and pollinators; golden hour (sunrise or sunset) for warm light and long shadows. Weekday mornings are quieter; weekends host events at the amphitheater. Free public entry, ample parking near the rec center, paved paths and accessible facilities make gear transport easy.
Arrowhead Park
Small park on the Jordan River and Big Cottonwood Creek confluence—features a pond, boardwalk, river bridge and tree-lined trails with abundant birds, ducks, turtles and seasonal eagles/pelicans. No entry fee; roadside parking near 4800 S. Best at golden hour and early morning for bird activity and soft light. Trails are flat and accessible but narrow in places—expect cyclists; bring bug spray in summer.
Kennecott Nature Center of Murray
Small urban wetland with tall cattails, pond/river channels, wildflowers and rich birdlife — ideal for intimate nature and wetland studies. Trails are well maintained, wheelchair-accessible in parts; parking available at Lucky Clover Ln and Jordan River Parkway access. No on-site bathrooms at main entrance (restrooms farther down trail). Best in spring for flowers and migration, golden hour for warm light and reflections; weekdays and early mornings reduce people and dog traffic.
Millrace park dock
Small wooden dock on Millrace Park beside the Jordan River offers intimate waterscape scenes: leading-line compositions of the dock, calm river reflections, riparian vegetation and frequent waterfowl. Best at sunrise or golden hour for warm side light and glassy reflections; blue hour yields long-exposure mood. Easy access from Jordan Bridge parking and the Jordan River Parkway trail; no fee. Expect flat terrain and wheelchair-friendly paths in parts; bring insect repellent in warmer months.Week
Confluence Park
Small riverside park at the meeting of streams with wetlands, willow-lined trails, boardwalks and views of the Wasatch foothills. Good for intimate waterscape and landscape shots: reflections, river textures, migratory birds and seasonal color. Best at golden hour (sunrise/sunset) for warm side-light on trees and mountains; early morning for mist and birds. Free entry, paved trails and small parking lot off Murray Taylorsville Rd; largely accessible but some boardwalk sections are narrow. Weeknı
Woodstock Meadows Park
Woodstock Meadows Park is a compact, mixed meadow-and-woodland loop with boardwalks, small bridges over a reedy stream, shady groves and open lawns. Ideal for intimate nature scenes, wildlife (birds, dragonflies, fox), and tranquil waterscapes. Visit early morning or late afternoon for soft golden light and active birds; weekdays or just after sunrise for few people. Easy paved loop, stroller- and wheelchair-friendly, free parking and restroom on site. No entry fee; expect local families and dog
Joan M. Hardle Memorial Arboretum
Small, varied arboretum within Murray City Park offering diverse tree species, blossoms and shaded walkways — great for close-ups of foliage and intimate landscape scenes. Best late spring–summer when deciduous leaves and flowers are full. Visit early morning or golden hour for soft light and few people; weekdays are quiet. Easy, free access from park parking; paved paths and flat terrain make gear transport simple. Labels may be faded; respect plantings and keep to paths.
Utah Selfie Museum
Indoor selfie museum with numerous themed sets, backdrops and props designed for bold, colorful social media images. Controlled, often studio-style lighting—ideal for portraits, group shots and creative framing. Best visited on weekday mornings or early afternoons to avoid crowds; reserve ahead and call to confirm entry (some reviewers reported access issues). Located in a strip-mall with on-site parking; fully accessible for strollers/wheelchairs. Great for families, influencers, and playful, <
Healing Garden
Small, well-kept public garden in Murray offering seasonal flower beds, sculptural plantings and intimate paths—great for close-up floral studies, quiet landscape frames and environmental portraits. Best at golden hour (sunrise/sunset) for warm directional light; spring–early summer for peak blooms. Easy access with nearby street parking and level paths; generally free entry. Expect occasional visitors and maintenance staff—weekday mornings are quiet. Respect signage and plantings.
Murray City Park Pavilion #5
A large covered picnic pavilion beside a creek and playground — great for documentary and event photography (family gatherings, community events, seasonal Haunted Woods). Easy access with parking, restrooms, and year-round use; pavilion holds ~75 people and can be reserved. Best light: golden hour for warm side-light on the wood structure and soft reflections in the creek; evenings during events for candid shots. Weekday mornings are calm; holidays and weekends get busy.
Southwood Park
Small, well-kept neighborhood park with a covered pavilion, mature trees, large grassy fields, tennis courts, a distinctive playground and a 150+ year-old stump — good for intimate environmental portraits, family activity shots, and nature details. Easy street parking and level pathways; no entry fee. Best light at golden hour or soft overcast; weekdays and mornings reduce crowds. Winter offers snow-play scenes and cozy group shots around the pavilion/fire pit.
Valley Park
Valley Park is a small urban park with a reflective pond, tree-lined paths and neighborhood views — great for calm landscape and waterscape shots, seasonal color (autumn foliage, winter snow) and casual wildlife (ducks). Easy street parking and a small lot off W Washington Ave; free entry, paved ADA paths. Best at golden hour or blue hour for reflections; weekdays/early mornings reduce crowds.
Friendship Park
Small, quiet community park with a large shaded pavilion, open lawns, playgrounds, baseball diamonds and a vineyard-like grape arbor — good for relaxed portraits, family/group shots, and low-key landscape frames. Best visited early morning or golden hour for soft light and few people; weekday mornings are especially empty. Park appears to be private/reservation-friendly (pavilion seats 40–50) with restrooms, 110V outlets, parking nearby and generally flat, accessible paths. Note: not off-leash —
Murray Museum
Small, well-restored local museum full of vintage artifacts and oral-history displays — ideal for intimate interior shots, detail stills of objects, and context images of the restored city-hall setting. Visit weekday mornings when staff can unlock cabinets and answer questions. Free admission, parking at Murray City Hall/police station; museum is behind the building and not visible from the street. Interior lighting is mixed and often low—ask staff about flash/tripod policy.
Walden Park
Small, well-kept riverside park on the Jordan River Parkway offering playground structures, a pavilion, picnic tables and river-edge paths. Good for intimate landscape and urban-river shots, candid family/playground scenes, and trail-leading lines. Easy parking and open restrooms (closed in winter), accessible from Murray Pkwy; weekdays and early morning minimize crowds. Watch for nearby busy road and occasional vulnerable people — be respectful when shooting.
Germania Park
Small community park on the Jordan River Parkway offering playgrounds, a pavilion, picnic areas, open soccer/volleyball/basketball fields and trail access. Good for family and lifestyle shots, sports action, playground detail and low-key landscape shots of the nearby trail. Best at golden hour or weekday mornings for soft light and few people; restrooms and parking onsite; easily walkable from the Jordan Parkway. No entry fee; accessible paths and shaded spots for midday shooting.
Hidden Village Park Pavilion
A community pavilion set inside Hidden Village Park offering simple architectural lines, covered shelter, nearby trees and open lawn—good for environmental portraits, small-event coverage, and golden-hour light with Wasatch foothill backdrop. Easy access from Murray streets with on-site parking, no entry fee, and flat wheelchair-friendly pathways. Best at sunrise or late afternoon for warm side-light; weekdays are quieter during the day. Small public gatherings and seasonal foliage add variety.