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Rock Formations in Oregon

11 rock formations in Oregon with photography planning data — sunrise and sunset azimuths, golden hour by month, Milky Way windows and estimated sky darkness. Deschutes County has the most (2). The darkest skies are at Battle Rock (Bortle 1).

Top rock formations

Olallie ButteRock Formation
Olallie ButteMarion County
Battle RockRock Formation
Battle RockCurry County
Pulpit RockRock Formation
Pulpit RockWasco County
Clatsop ButteRock Formation
Clatsop ButteMultnomah County
Rock Formation
Lolo ButteDeschutes County
Rock Formation
Lolah ButteDeschutes County
Rock Formation
Condon ButteLane County
Rock Formation
Tittie ButteWheeler County
Rock Formation
Llao RockDouglas County
Rock Formation
The HoneycombsMalheur County
Rock Formation
Butte ParkUmatilla County

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.