Photographer's Paradise: Capturing Spokane's Urban Waterfalls and Natural Beauty

Spokane's crown jewel for photographers is undoubtedly Riverfront Park, centered around the dramatic Spokane Falls. What makes this location exceptional is the accessibility—you can capture these powerful cascades from multiple vantage points without venturing far from downtown amenities.

The best light hits the falls in early morning (before 9am) and during the golden hour before sunset. Spring runoff (April-May) creates the most dramatic water volume, transforming the falls into a roaring spectacle. I spent three consecutive mornings here, each offering different lighting conditions as clouds and mist played across the scene.

For stability during long exposures, I relied heavily on my travel clamp which attached securely to the railings along the falls overlooks. This compact solution saved me from carrying my full-sized tripod while providing the stability needed for those silky water shots at slower shutter speeds.

Don't miss the historic Monroe Street Bridge for framing opportunities—its concrete arches provide perfect leading lines toward the falls. The SkyRide gondola offers aerial perspectives that are otherwise impossible to capture, though shooting through glass presents challenges (bring a polarizing filter).

While most visitors stick to the main Riverfront Park area, savvy photographers should make their way to Huntington Park, tucked beside City Hall on the south bank of the river. This less-frequented spot offers intimate views of the Lower Spokane Falls that feel removed from the city despite being in its heart.

I discovered this gem on my second day after chatting with a local photographer at a downtown café. The park features several tiered viewing platforms that get progressively closer to the water. The lowest level—often misted by the falls—creates opportunities for dramatic close-ups with your telephoto lens.

Bring a microfiber cloth as your lens will likely catch spray. My lens cleaning kit proved invaluable here, as I needed to wipe down my equipment every 15-20 minutes. The kit's compact size meant I could keep it in my pocket for quick access without disrupting my shooting flow.

The pedestrian walkway beneath the Post Street Bridge provides another unique vantage point that many photographers miss. From here, you can frame the falls against the historic Washington Water Power building with its distinctive brick architecture.

Just 45 minutes from downtown lies Mount Spokane State Park—a landscape photographer's dream that feels worlds away from the city. The 5,883-foot summit offers breathtaking panoramas of the Spokane Valley, Idaho's lake country, and on clear days, the distant peaks of Montana.

Spring visits (late April through June) reward photographers with wildflower meadows that create stunning foreground elements against the expansive vistas. The Vista House at the summit provides both a compelling architectural subject and shelter if weather turns quickly, which it often does in spring.

I learned this lesson firsthand when a sudden mountain shower caught me on an exposed ridge. My waterproof camera cover saved my gear from a drenching. Don't visit the mountain without rain protection for both yourself and your equipment—conditions can change rapidly at this elevation.

The drive up features numerous pullouts with composition opportunities. I particularly recommend the Kit Carson Loop Road for its old-growth forest scenes. The dappled light through ancient pines creates magical conditions in early morning when fog often clings to the mountainside.

For serious landscape photographers, consider hiking the 3.5-mile Mount Kit Carson Loop Trail, which offers multiple vantage points of the valley below. My hiking poles proved essential for navigating some of the steeper sections while carrying camera gear.

When afternoon light becomes too harsh for landscape work, I retreat to Manito Park—a 90-acre oasis with five distinct gardens that offer endless macro photography opportunities. The Japanese Garden is particularly photogenic, with carefully placed stones, reflective ponds, and sculptural maple trees.

Spring visits coincide perfectly with the blooming schedule of the formal Duncan Gardens and the spectacular Lilac Garden (peak bloom usually mid-May). For macro photographers, the conservatory houses exotic plants year-round, providing a climate-controlled environment when outdoor conditions aren't cooperative.

I spent a full afternoon in the perennial garden with my macro lens, capturing the intricate details of emerging blooms. To get the most compelling compositions, I used my flexible tripod which allowed me to position my camera at unusual angles close to the ground. The flexible legs wrapped securely around garden features, giving me stable shooting platforms where traditional tripods couldn't reach.

The Rose Hill section peaks later in summer, but spring offers the advantage of fewer visitors and fresh, vibrant greens as backdrops. Morning dew creates magical opportunities for close-up work—bring a spray bottle to recreate this effect if you arrive after the dew has dried.

Just a 15-minute drive from downtown, Riverside State Park offers dramatic landscapes shaped by ancient lava flows and the powerful Spokane River. The Bowl and Pitcher area features massive basalt formations that create a striking contrast with the rushing water—perfect for moody black and white compositions.

The swinging bridge provides a natural vantage point, but more compelling images come from scrambling (carefully) along the riverside trails. Spring brings powerful rapids as snowmelt surges through the channel, creating dynamic action shots with fast shutter speeds.

I dedicated my final sunrise in Spokane to capturing the first light hitting the basalt columns. To ensure I could navigate the trails safely in pre-dawn darkness, I relied on my headlamp. The red-light mode preserved my night vision while hiking in, allowing me to see the landscape gradually emerge as my eyes adjusted—crucial for pre-visualizing compositions before the light arrived.

The Nine Mile Recreation Area (further downstream) offers additional photographic opportunities with its historic dam and more peaceful water scenes. The reflections here can be spectacular on calm mornings.

For those interested in wildlife photography, the park hosts osprey, eagles, and herons fishing along the river. My lens rain sleeve doubled as excellent camouflage while I waited near active osprey nests, allowing me to capture hunting dives without disturbing the birds.