Discover Bonney Lake
13 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Sky Island View
Sky Island View is a roadside/overlook near Bonney Lake offering panoramic views over the Puyallup Valley and distant Mount Rainier on clear days. Best for wide landscape and golden-hour shots; easy access from parking with a short walk and typically no entry fee. Visit at sunrise or late afternoon for warm light and reduced haze; clear winter mornings give the best mountain visibility. Weekdays and early mornings are less crowded; bring layers and a windproof jacket as ridgelines can be breezy.
Madrona Park
Small waterfront park on Lake Tapps offering shorelines, native madrona trees and open views for reflective lake shots and sunset silhouettes. Easy access from street parking; free entry and short walking paths make quick shoots practical. Best at golden hour for warm light on bark and calm reflections; weekdays and early mornings avoid families and boat traffic. Accessible paths and picnic areas provide steady compositions and foreground interest.
Victor Falls City Park
Small, easily accessible waterfall and lakeside park with forested trails, boardwalk viewpoints and rocky cascades — great for intimate waterscape and landscape shots. Visit after rain for stronger flows or at golden hour for warm side light. Free entry and small parking lot off Rhodes Lake Rd; trails are short but include stairs — mostly family-friendly and dog-friendly. Weekdays or early mornings reduce crowds.
Ken Simmons Park
Small community park with pond, shoreline and open lawns offering calm water reflections, tree-lined trails and seasonal color—good for sunrise/sunset and intimate nature scenes. Easy roadside parking, no fee; wheelchair-accessible paths in parts. Visit golden hour or weekday mornings for soft light and fewer people; expect local birdlife and family activity on weekends.
Allan Yorke Park
Small lakeside park on Lake Tapps offering shoreline vistas, wetlands and open lawns — great for water reflections, cloudscapes and seasonal wildlife. No entry fee; small parking lot off W Tapps Hwy. Best at sunrise or golden hour for low light on the water and at clear-sky sunsets when Mt. Rainier can appear. Weekday mornings are quieter; dress for winds off the lake and muddy shorelines after rain.
Midtown Park
Small community park with ponds, open lawns and tree-lined paths offering intimate landscape and waterscape shots. Best at golden hour for warm light on reeds and low reflections; autumn and spring offer strongest color. Easy street parking, no entry fee, paved paths and picnic areas make gear transport simple. Weekday mornings are quieter; watch for family activity on weekends.
Skystone Park
Small community park with rolling lawns, a pond/wetland, walking trails and neighborhood viewpoints — good for intimate landscape and nature shots, seasonal wildflowers and reflections. Best at golden hour for warm light and sunset colors; after light rain for richer greens and mirror-like water. Easy access with free parking on 176th Ave E, paved accessible paths in parts, no entry fee. Weekdays are quieter; expect playgrounds and families on weekends.
Clearwater Neighborhood Park
Small neighborhood park with open lawns, mature trees and a pond/stream corridor — great for calm nature scenes, seasonal foliage and candid family or pet portraits. Easy access with free parking on-site or nearby; no entry fee. Visit at golden hour for warm side light and longer shadows; weekday mornings reduce dog-walkers and families. Paths are stroller- and wheelchair-friendly; check weather for wet trails after rain.
Viking Park, Off-leash Dog Park
Open off-leash dog park with grassy fields, scattered trees and walking paths—ideal for energetic pet portraits, action sequences, and candid community scenes. Best light is early morning or late afternoon golden hour; weekdays and off-peak hours reduce crowding. Small paved paths and a parking lot make equipment access easy; no formal entry fee. Respect owners and ask before shooting pets up close.
Lake Jane Estates (Private)
A small private residential lake offering calm water reflections, shoreline vegetation and mid-century lakeside homes framed by Puyallup Valley light. Best for reflective waterscapes and intimate landscape/architecture shots at sunrise and golden hour. Access is restricted—ask for permission from residents or HOA; there is no public beach. Weekday early mornings give the calmest surface and soft light; overcast days emphasize muted tones. Limited parking on 68th St E; respect private property.
Regal Tall Firs
Regal Tall Firs is a suburban multiplex with bold marquee lighting, modern box-office architecture and lively interior scenes — good for neon, night exteriors and candid cinema moments. Best at dusk/evening when signs glow; parking is available at the Bonney Lake shopping center. Interior photography may be restricted during screenings—ask staff. Weekday evenings are less crowded than weekend premieres.
Kidz Happy Hour
Indoor children’s play center with bright, colorful soft-play structures, party rooms and activity zones—good for shooting candid action, vibrant close-ups, and environmental portraits. Visit weekday mornings for lower crowds or weekend party hours for lively action. Lighting is primarily mixed fluorescent—bring fast lenses and be prepared for high ISO. Easy roadside parking at the strip mall; public access but always get guardian consent before photographing children. Small details (foam shapes
Bonney Lake Foot Massage
Small commercial interior offering massage treatments — shoot calming interiors, treatment chairs, textured wood and tile details, signage on WA-410, and lifestyle portraits of therapists in action. Visit weekdays mid-morning or mid-afternoon to avoid client peaks; ask permission from staff before shooting. Lighting is mixed (ambient warm lamps + fluorescent), parking available on-site; respect privacy and local business etiquette. Good for documenting small-business interiors and lifestyle work