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Rock Formations in Washington

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

Top rock formations

Marble Mountain-Trout Creek HillRock Formation
Marble Mountain-Trout Creek HillSkamania County
Omak RockRock Formation
Omak RockOkanogan County
Early Winters SpiresRock Formation
Early Winters SpiresOkanogan County
Steptoe ButteRock Formation
Steptoe ButteWhitman County
Rock Formation
Alaska Packers' RockSan Juan County
Rock Formation
Beacon RockSkamania County
Rock Formation
Butte StreetFranklin 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.