Discover Kennewick
24 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Columbia River hydroplanes
Photograph high-speed hydroplanes skimming the Columbia River from Sacajawea/Heritage Trail for dramatic motion, spray and reflections. Best on race days or during golden hour for warm side-light and long shadows. Trail is paved and wheelchair-accessible with street parking and nearby lots; no entry fee. Weekdays and early mornings are quieter. Bring weather protection—wind off the river can be strong. Local racing culture makes for energetic crowd and pit-area candids; expect safety zones on on
Clover Island Viewpoint
Clover Island Viewpoint sits on a small peninsula into the Columbia River offering sweeping vistas of the river, marina, nearby bridges and the Tri‑Cities skyline. Ideal for sunrise/sunset colors, river reflections and long exposures of passing boats. Easy access with waterfront promenade, free parking nearby, wheelchair‑friendly paths and no entry fee. Weekday mornings are quieter; summers bring long golden hours, winters offer dramatic skies and migratory waterfowl.
Columbia Park
Riverfront park with paved trails, open lawns, mature trees and Columbia River views — strong for landscape and waterscape shots, seasonal color and event photography (dog shows, community gatherings). No entry fee; multiple parking lots along E Columbia Dr with accessible paths. Best at sunrise or golden hour for warm river light and long reflections; late fall/spring give dramatic skies and migratory birds. Weekday mornings are quieter.
Horse Heaven Hills Park
Open rolling grasslands and gentle ridgelines offering wide panoramic views over the Columbia Basin. Ideal for sweeping landscape shots, dramatic skies at sunrise/sunset, and seasonal wildflower or grass-texture detail. Easy roadside access and small parking area off S Yelm St; no entry fee. Best visited at golden hour for side-lit grasses and long shadows. Wind can be strong; weekdays and early mornings are quieter. Minimal facilities—bring water and layers.
Clover Island Lighthouse
Small red-and-white lighthouse on Clover Island framing the Columbia River, offering clean lines, reflections, and river traffic for dynamic compositions. Best at golden hour and blue hour — sunrise for soft light on the water, sunset for warm backlight and silhouettes. Easily reached by car with nearby parking and a flat walking path; no special permits required. Weekdays and early mornings reduce visitors. Cultural context: a local riverside landmark with walking, marina, and nearby industrial
Underwood Park
Riverside park on the Columbia with open river vistas, cottonwood-lined trails, wetlands and a boat launch — concise landscapes, waterscapes and seasonal wildlife. Best at golden hour and sunrise for warm light and reflections; spring brings wildflowers and migrating birds, fall adds color. Easy public access with free parking at lot; flat, stroller- and wheelchair-friendly paths. Afternoons can be windy (kites/boats). No entry fee.
Keewaydin Park
Riverside park on the Columbia River offering long waterfront vistas, boat activity, grassy lawns and mature trees — ideal for river panoramas, sunset colors, and environmental portraits of anglers and paddlecraft. Best at golden hour and blue hour; sunrise yields calm water reflections, sunset gives dramatic skies. Easy access with nearby parking and no entry fee; expect more locals and boat traffic on weekends. Paths and a small marina provide multiple vantage points.
Freedom Trail
A low‑elevation riverside trail offering long views of the Columbia River, riparian vegetation and seasonal birdlife. Best at golden hour for warm light on water and silhouettes; easy, flat path with nearby street parking and no entry fee. Weekdays or early mornings reduce crowds; spring and fall bring color and migratory birds.
Kenwood Park
Small community park with lawns, mature trees and path-lined open spaces—good for intimate landscapes, seasonal foliage and relaxed environmental portraits. Visit at golden hour for warm side-light and long shadows; weekday mornings offer minimal crowds. Park is publicly accessible with on-street or lot parking; mostly flat and walkable, suitable for tripod use. Light, weather and trees make it special for moody skies and quiet compositions.
Gesa Carousel of Dreams
The Gesa Carousel of Dreams is an ornate, hand-carved carousel ideal for detail shots of painted horses, mirrors and gilded panels plus environmental portraits of riders. The pavilion glows when lit at dusk; architecture and close-ups of craftsmanship reward macro and portrait lenses. Accessible with on-site parking; seasonal hours and small admission often apply—check local schedule. Weekdays and off-season reduce crowds. Respect riders and family events; the carousel is a community landmark.
Playground Of Dreams
Playground of Dreams is a colorful, riverfront play area on the Columbia Park Trail offering strong foreground interest (play structures, sculptures) framed by the Columbia River and distant hills. Easy access with free parking at Columbia Park, no entry fee, paved trails for tripods/wheelchairs. Best light at golden hour (sunrise/sunset) for warm river reflections; weekdays and early mornings reduce crowds. Check seasonal river levels and local drone restrictions before flying.
Jay Perry Park
Small riverside park with lawns, pathways and riparian edges offering clean views of the Columbia River and open skies — good for landscape and waterscape shots, reflections, and long golden-hour skies. Easy street parking and level paths make it accessible; no entry fee. Best light is sunrise and golden hour for warm colors and reflection; late afternoon can produce backlit grasses. Weekdays are quieter; summer has longer light but more visitors.
Vancouver Park Pump Track
Compact, sculpted pump track with rhythmic berms and rollers—ideal for dynamic action shots, motion blur and low-angle compositions. Visit golden hour or late afternoon for warm light and long shadows; weekday mornings are quiet. Easy access with free park parking, no entry fee, ADA paths nearby. Expect active riders on weekends; bring knee pads if you plan to shoot close to action.
Lawrence Scott Park
Small community park with playgrounds, sports courts and grassy fields offering clean, family-friendly scenes and one of Kennewick’s broad sunset panoramas. Best visited late afternoon–evening for cooler light, long shadows and vibrant sunsets; parking and restrooms on site make gear logistics easy. Accessible paths and shaded picnic shelters help for shoots with kids or family groups. Weekdays or early evenings reduce crowds.
Zintel Canyon Greenway
A short riparian canyon and greenway through Kennewick with trails, creekside vegetation, rock outcrops and bridges—good for intimate landscape, seasonal wildflowers and birdlife. Easy, mostly flat trails with street parking near 704 S Vancouver St; no entry fee. Best in spring for blooms and migratory birds, golden hour for warm canyon light, and weekday mornings for fewer people. Paths are stroller- and bike-friendly; some viewpoints offer simple panoramas and creek reflections.
Penn Park
Small riverside park with open lawns, riparian trees and views across the Columbia River — good for wide landscape frames, water reflections, and seasonal color. Easy street parking and level paths make gear transport simple. Best light is golden hour at sunrise or sunset for warm river glints; weekdays and early mornings are least crowded. No entry fee; accessible paths and picnic areas offer foreground interest.
Rose Garden Picnic Shelter
Compact rose garden with a covered picnic shelter — ideal for floral close-ups, intimate portraits, and contextual shots that combine blooms with shelter architecture. Best visited late spring–early summer when roses peak; golden hour or overcast mornings give flattering light. Easy roadside parking and wheelchair-accessible paths; no entry fee. Weekdays and early mornings reduce crowds. Great for combining nature detail with small-park compositions in Kennewick.
Kennewick Parks & Recreation
Kennewick Parks & Recreation offers a mix of green spaces, paved trails and recreational facilities ideal for lifestyle, landscape and environmental shots. Wide lawns, mature trees and park architecture work well at golden hour; paved access and on-site parking make gear transport easy. Visit early weekday mornings for soft light and fewer people; summer evenings bring long sunsets. Facilities are generally accessible and free to enter.
Highlands Grange Park
Small neighborhood park with open lawns, mature trees and picnic areas offering simple landscape and candid family/street-style opportunities. Best at golden hour for warm light and long shadows; weekday mornings are quiet. Easily accessible from S Union St with free parking; paved paths make it wheelchair- and stroller-friendly. No entry fee; watch for seasonal foliage changes and local community events that add interest.
Museum at Keewaydin
Small local history museum showcasing regional artifacts, period rooms, and exterior historic architecture and gardens. Photograph intimate exhibit details, period textiles, signage and the building façade. Best light for exteriors is golden hour; indoor shots benefit from mid-day when ambient light is strongest. Weekdays are quieter; check hours and admission online and respect exhibit no-flash/tripod rules. On-site parking is usually available; the site is accessible but confirm specifics if a
Splash Pad
Small public splash pad in Kennewick popular with families — colorful jets, dynamic water patterns and kids in motion make it great for candid action and abstract water studies. Best at golden hour or late afternoon for warm light and softer shadows; weekday mornings are quieter. Easy access with park parking nearby, no entry fee; flat, accessible surfaces; expect crowds on hot weekends.
Columbia Center Estates Park
Small neighborhood park with open lawns, mature shade trees, walking paths and picnic areas — good for relaxed landscape, environmental portraits and family/children photography. Best at golden hour or blue hour for warm directional light and long shadows. Easily accessible with on‑site parking, paved paths and no entry fee; weekday mornings are quiet. Weather is typically dry in summer; bring sun protection.
Zintel Canyon Playground
Small canyon-themed playground with colorful structures, textured rock walls and native trees — great for playful portraits, low-angle abstracts, and environmental shots of kids at play. Free, public park with nearby parking on Vancouver St; wheelchair-accessible paths. Visit weekdays at golden hour (early morning or late afternoon) for warm light and fewer crowds; mid-day can be harsh and busy during summer.
1910 Paul Parish Drive
1910 Paul Parish Drive is a residential street corner in Kennewick — useful for architectural and street studies of Pacific Northwest suburban fabric: ranch and split-level homes, mature street trees, sidewalks and wide streets. Easy curbside access and on-street parking; no public attractions or entry required (stay off private property). Best light is golden hour (sunrise east-facing facades, sunset warm side-lighting), and weekday mornings are quiet for clean compositions. Nearby parks and ar