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Rock Formations to Photograph in the USA

186 rock formations in 32 states, each with computed light, night-sky and weather data for planning. Pick a state, or start with the most documented locations below.

Top rock formations

Llano EstacadoRock Formation
Llano EstacadoLynn County, TX
El CapitanRock Formation
El CapitanMariposa County, CA
The WaveRock Formation
The WaveCoconino County, AZ
Black MesaRock Formation
Black MesaCimarron County, OK
Old Man of the MountainRock Formation
Old Man of the MountainGrafton County, NH
Bear ButteRock Formation
Bear ButteMeade County, SD
Lava Creek TuffRock Formation
Lava Creek TuffTeton County, WY
Bell RockRock Formation
Bell RockYavapai County, AZ
Devils GardenRock Formation
Devils GardenGrand County, UT
Huckleberry Ridge TuffRock Formation
Huckleberry Ridge TuffFremont County, ID
Castle CragsRock Formation
Castle CragsShasta County, CA
Checkerboard MesaRock Formation
Checkerboard MesaWashington County, UT
Three BrothersRock Formation
Three BrothersMariposa County, CA
Candlestick TowerRock Formation
Candlestick TowerGrand County, UT
Elaterite ButteRock Formation
Elaterite ButteGarfield County, UT
Church RockRock Formation
Church RockSan Juan County, UT
Rock Formation
Anderson MesaCoconino County, AZ
Fajada ButteRock Formation
Fajada ButteSan Juan County, NM
Marble Mountain-Trout Creek HillRock Formation
Marble Mountain-Trout Creek HillSkamania County, WA
Olallie ButteRock Formation
Olallie ButteMarion County, OR
Palisade HeadRock Formation
Palisade HeadLake County, MN
Newton ButteRock Formation
Newton ButteCoconino County, AZ
Castle RockRock Formation
Castle RockDouglas County, CO
The NeedlesRock Formation
The NeedlesMohave County, AZ

By state

Map

How to photograph rock formations

Rock towers and buttes glow red and orange in the first and last half-hour of sun; midday light flattens their shape.

  • Find a spot where the formation sits against open sky to emphasize its silhouette.
  • At night, a formation under the Milky Way or star trails makes a strong anchor.
  • Use the sunrise and sunset azimuths below to know which face will be lit.
  • Stay on trails; desert soils and lichens take decades to recover from footprints.

Season: Spring and autumn are best in desert regions; winter snow on red rock is rare but spectacular.