I've been compiling some of my favorite and/or dream photography locations in Oregon. Some of these have parking costs, or require walking or hiking in. Others are drive-up locations that don't require as much trekking. Almost all have free/public parking, but you should confirm that the location is open, accessible, and appropriate to your vision. Some of these areas, especially in the Gorge, are still affected by the wildfires in the previous years, and some may be closed due weather/road closures, especially in winter and spring.
Some state parks require permits to have a wedding or a photography session, with limits on the number of attendees in specific locations. If you have questions about a location, or aren't sure how to start planning an adventure, feel free to reach out: hello@norulesphotography.com
Portland Parks:
Cathedral park/St. Johns Bridge (Portland Parks reservation required for weddings)
George Rogers Park
Lewis and Clark College
Powell Butte
Council Crest Park (Portland Parks reservation required for weddings)
Dawson Park (Portland Parks reservation required for weddings)
Portland Memory Garden (Portland Parks reservation required for weddings)
Hoyt Arboretum (Portland Parks reservation required for weddings)
Mt. Tabor Summit (Portland Parks reservation required for weddings)
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden (Portland Parks reservation required for weddings)
Leach Botanical Garden (Portland Parks reservation required for weddings)
Historic Overlook House (Portland Parks reservation required for weddings)
Forest Park (NW Skyline Blvd where NW Saltzman Rd meets a fire trail)
Sellwood Riverfront Park
Cooper Mountain Nature Park
Tryon Creek Nature Park
Laurelhurst Park (Portland Parks reservation required for weddings)
Portland Rose Garden (Portland Parks reservation required for weddings)
Kelly Point Park
Peninsula Park (Portland Parks reservation required for weddings)
Sauvie Island (Collins Beach)
Portland Cityscapes:
Eastbank Esplanade near OMSI
Broadway Bridge
Hawthorne Bridge
Cathedral Park
Columbia Gorge Area:
Latourell Falls
Dalton Point
Government Cove Peninsula
Starvation Creek Falls
Hood River & Columbia River
Farther Coast Destinations:
George Rogers Park
Cape Kiwanda – beach with haystack rocks
Bob Straub State Park – grasses, white beach with mountains in the background
Winema Road Beach – big beach rocks
Neskowin Beach State Recreation Site – beach with haystack rocks
Cascade Head Lower Viewpoint – views of peninsulas and cliffs with beach and coast skyline
Clay Myers State Natural Area at Whalen Island – peninsula with grasses and beach on both sides
Heceta Head Lighthouse – beach, haystack, lighthouse
Hobbit Beach
Siuslaw National Forest – viewpoint of Hobbit Beach on overview in forest
Cape Perpetua Overlook - overlook with forest and beach feels
Arch Cape
Indian Beach
Neskowin Ghost Forest – creepy logs on a beach with haystack rock
Whaleshead Beach/Whaleshead Viewpoint
Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor – cliffs and rocks on the ocean overlooks
House Rock Viewpoint
Cape Arago State Park
