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Mountain Passes to Photograph in the USA

600 mountain passes in 29 states, each with computed light, night-sky and weather data for planning. Pick a state, or start with the most documented locations below.

Top mountain passes

South PassMountain Pass
South PassFremont County, WY · 2,304 m
Chilkoot PassMountain Pass
Chilkoot PassSkagway Municipality, AK · 1,068 m
Cahuenga PassMountain Pass
Cahuenga PassLos Angeles County, CA · 227 m
Atigun PassMountain Pass
Atigun PassNorth Slope Borough, AK · 1,467 m
Independence PassMountain Pass
Independence PassLake County, CO · 3,689 m
Cajon PassMountain Pass
Cajon PassSan Bernardino County, CA · 1,169 m
Donner PassMountain Pass
Donner PassPlacer County, CA · 2,162 m
Cumberland GapMountain Pass
Cumberland GapLee County, VA
Tejon PassMountain Pass
Tejon PassLos Angeles County, CA · 1,268 m
Tioga PassMountain Pass
Tioga PassTuolumne County, CA · 3,031 m
Togwotee PassMountain Pass
Togwotee PassTeton County, WY · 2,943 m
Apache PassMountain Pass
Apache PassCochise County, AZ · 1,558 m
Forester PassMountain Pass
Forester PassTulare County, CA · 3,998 m
Stevens PassMountain Pass
Stevens PassChelan County, WA · 1,254 m
McKenzie PassMountain Pass
McKenzie PassDeschutes County, OR · 1,590 m
Lolo PassMountain Pass
Lolo PassClearwater County, ID · 1,592 m
Hatcher PassMountain Pass
Hatcher PassMatanuska-Susitna Borough, AK · 1,153 m
Loveland PassMountain Pass
Loveland PassSummit County, CO · 3,656 m
Carson PassMountain Pass
Carson PassAlpine County, CA · 2,619 m
Cascade PassMountain Pass
Cascade PassChelan County, WA · 1,631 m
Logan PassMountain Pass
Logan PassGlacier County, MT · 2,028 m
Sonora PassMountain Pass
Sonora PassMono County, CA · 2,929 m
Walker PassMountain Pass
Walker PassKern County, CA · 1,610 m
Red Rock PassMountain Pass
Red Rock PassBannock County, ID · 1,465 m

By state

Map

How to photograph mountain passes

Mountain passes sit above valleys, so they reward sunrise and sunset with layered ridges, valley fog and long shadows.

  • Check road status before driving: many high passes close seasonally or after storms.
  • Look for the road itself as a leading line — switchbacks from above make strong compositions.
  • Weather changes fast at elevation; carry layers even in summer.
  • Summit pull-outs often face one direction; use the sun azimuth table to see whether sunrise or sunset suits the view.
  • Wildflowers bloom late at pass elevations — often July to early August in the Rockies and Sierra.

Season: Summer and early autumn are the main season; winter visits depend on plowing and avalanche conditions.