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Canyons in Orange County, California

10 canyons in Orange County. Every location page has sunrise and sunset azimuths, a monthly golden hour table, Milky Way windows and nearby spots.

Top canyons

Laguna CanyonCanyon
Laguna CanyonOrange County
Bommer CanyonCanyon
Bommer CanyonOrange County
Silverado CanyonCanyon
Silverado CanyonOrange County
Aliso CanyonCanyon
Aliso CanyonOrange County
Black Star CanyonCanyon
Black Star CanyonOrange County
Canyon
Emerald CanyonOrange County
Canyon
Falls CanyonOrange County
Canyon
Holy Jim CanyonOrange County
Canyon
Rose CanyonOrange County
Canyon
Trabuco CanyonOrange County

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.