Top Portrait Locations to Capture Stunning Shots Near Denali National Park

Whether you are booking a session with me or looking to take your own portraits in Denali, here's a list of my favorite locations in and around Denali National Park in Alaska!

Horseshoe Lake

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Pros: Horseshoe Lake is a GORGEOUS hike that your family will enjoy doing! There are several spots that are great for photos.

Cons: You do need to hike here - but it's an easy hike. If photo times are during the day, there are often lots of visitors on the trail that we will need to shoot around. Depending on the weather, the lake can be very reflective.

Location: near the Denali National Park Entrance, you can visit the Horseshoe Lake trailhead. You don't need your own rental car to visit here! Hotels can shuttle you to the trailhead.

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Otto Lake

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Pros: Easy to access! Gorgeous, no matter the season. Lake view and a mountain view! There can be people around, but it's easy to find a spot even for large groups.

Cons: There can be a lot of visitors to the lake, the sun can be reflective, and you DO need your own car to visit this location.

Location: on Otto Lake Road near Healy. About one mile down the road, on the left. Easy parking. You need your own transportation here.

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Riley Creek

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Pros: Easy location! Water is easy to get to. Gorgeous mountains and trees around this spot as well!

Cons: Not a ton of room for families, and the space can change a lot depending on water levels. Harsh lighting during the day.

Location: near the Denali National Park post office, and the Riley Creek Campground. Go to the Riley Creek Day Use area and then walk down to the river.

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Dragonfly Waterfall

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Pros: Hello, gorgeous! Pretty in the winter and summer.

Cons: The winter pictures of this are taken at the top of the waterfall. This is not a location I would take children as there is an incredible drop off just beyond where they are standing. The summer you can hike to the bottom of the waterfall, as seen in the other photos here.

Location: Along the Parks Highway, between Denali and Healy, there is a pull out and sign for Dragonfly Creek. Go over the guardrail and hike to the left to see the waterfall. The hike is quite treacherous and there is no trail.

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Trails from the Denali National Park Visitors Center

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Pros: There is a lot of versatility that we can walk along and take photos wherever the day is looking beautiful! Especially in the fall, this is beautiful. There are two bridges that provide some creative architecture as well has creek access in two different spots.

Cons: A lot of our session time is spent hiking. There are often a lot of other people on the trails, and it can be harder for big groups.

Location: Begin at the Denali National Park Service Visitors Center and hike toward the Triple Lakes Trail until you hit the suspension bridge and then turn around and hike/walk back!

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Stampede Road

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Pros: This location is gorgeous! Lots of mountain ranges in the background. There is a boardwalk trail out into the tundra that makes for easier walking.

Cons: Lighting plays a big part here as there is open tundra and no shade.

Location: This is a bit of a drive down Stampede Road. You need your own car to travel here. This is past the paved portion of the road and it's a bumpy dirt road to this location!