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Canyons to Photograph in the USA

330 canyons in 28 states, each with computed light, night-sky and weather data for planning. Pick a state, or start with the most documented locations below.

Top canyons

Antelope CanyonCanyon
Antelope CanyonCoconino County, AZ
Grand CanyonCanyon
Grand CanyonCoconino County, AZ
Boquillas CanyonCanyon
Boquillas CanyonBrewster County, TX
Columbia River GorgeCanyon
Columbia River GorgeSkamania County, WA
Palo Duro CanyonCanyon
Palo Duro CanyonRandall County, TX
Laurel CanyonCanyon
Laurel CanyonLos Angeles County, CA
Glen CanyonCanyon
Glen CanyonCoconino County, AZ
Madera CanyonCanyon
Madera CanyonPima County, AZ
Niagara GorgeCanyon
Niagara GorgeNiagara County, NY
Black Canyon of the ColoradoCanyon
Black Canyon of the ColoradoClark County, NV
Hells CanyonCanyon
Hells CanyonAdams County, ID
Grand Canyon of the YellowstoneCanyon
Grand Canyon of the YellowstonePark County, WY
Waimea Canyon State ParkCanyon
Waimea Canyon State ParkKauai County, HI
Marble CanyonCanyon
Marble CanyonCoconino County, AZ
The NarrowsCanyon
The NarrowsWashington County, UT
Oak Creek CanyonCanyon
Oak Creek CanyonCoconino County, AZ
Bluejohn CanyonCanyon
Bluejohn CanyonWayne County, UT
Glenwood CanyonCanyon
Glenwood CanyonGarfield County, CO
Zion CanyonCanyon
Zion CanyonWashington County, UT
American Fork CanyonCanyon
American Fork CanyonUtah County, UT
Arroyo SecoCanyon
Arroyo SecoLos Angeles County, CA
Eaton CanyonCanyon
Eaton CanyonLos Angeles County, CA
Royal GorgeCanyon
Royal GorgeFremont County, CO
Keystone CanyonCanyon
Keystone CanyonChugach Census Area, AK

By state

Map

How to photograph canyons

Canyons need light from above: rims glow at sunrise and sunset, while deep or narrow sections are brightest near midday when reflected light bounces off the walls.

  • From the rim, sunrise and sunset side-light reveals layers; a telephoto picks out buttes and shadows.
  • In narrow canyons, reflected light creates orange and purple glows; avoid including bright sky in the frame.
  • Check flash flood forecasts before entering slot or narrow canyons — rain miles away can flood them.
  • Dust and sand are hard on gear; change lenses in a bag or with your back to the wind.
  • A long lens on a tripod handles the low light inside canyons better than raising ISO.

Season: Spring and autumn are comfortable; summer monsoon storms bring dramatic skies but higher flood risk in the Southwest.