9 Photo Spots for Sunsets in the Pacific Northwest

Some of the most breathtaking sunsets you will see in your life will be in the Pacific Northwest.

Living in the Northwest United States comes with many benefits. Dense, sweeping forest, vast bodies of water, picturesque public parks all around, and stunning mountain ranges. This article will focus on Washington State and showcase some of the best and most photogenic spots to catch the sunset, from public parks to national parks and everything in between. The majority of these spots will be within an hour’s drive of Seattle, except for Mount Rainier National Park, which is about 2.5 hours away. None of these spots require a Discovery Pass, which is required for Washington State Parks, but I do recommend picking one up, as this unlocks access to a ton of great parks.

The Pacific Northwest is well known for its natural beauty. From the tops of the mountains to the expansive beaches and forests, there’s something for every outdoors person here. First-time visitors will be blown away by the number of photo opportunities here, and without a solid list, it can be daunting to pick where to go. As an adventure lover and sunset chaser, I have you covered.

1. Chambers Creek Regional Park (University Place)

Our first spot takes us to University Place, a small city on the outskirts of Tacoma. Chambers Creek Regional Park is located right along the water, and many come here in the late afternoon to fly a kite, kick around a ball, or walk their pup. It’s very much an urban park, as the famous Chambers Bay Golf Course is also located here. The hilly course offers unique perspectives, and with the Narrows in the background, this place is a must for golden hour. Parking is free, but the lot can fill up, especially on a nice day, so plan accordingly or grab a bite at the clubhouse.

Notes for Photographers:

Whether you are walking the public footpaths or sitting by the water, this park offers plenty of opportunities for stunning shots. I like to get some wide-angle shots of the course as I’m walking down to the water where I’ll set up for that last glow of sun setting over the mountains in the distance.

2. Discovery Park (Magnolia)

I’d argue this is one of the best parks in the entire state as it is home to numerous walking paths and hiking trails, unreal views of the water and neighboring islands, as well as it being the largest public park in Seattle. Located in the gorgeous Magnolia neighborhood, this area is a must visit for solo travelers or those travelling with family. There are over 11 miles of walking trails in this park so bring your favorite hiking shoes and a backpack for your camera and snacks. This park allows you to choose your own adventure so you can take the short walk to the towering bluffs or walk through the forests all the way to the beach which is what I recommend if you have the time. There are a few different parking lots but I prefer the South Parking Lot as it’s closest to the bluffs and with the temperature drop at sunset, it’s not a bad idea to have the car close by.

Notes for Photographers:

Be prepared to walk a bit if you want to get down to the iconic lighthouse, luckily you will be walking through gorgeous forests so you will have many opportunities for great shots along the way. Most will bundle up if catching the sunset on the beach but the photos will be worth it.

3. Gas Works Park (Seattle)

There is always something going on at Gas Works Park as this is a very popular spot for locals and is probably the best spot to catch the sunset in Seattle. Parking can go quick so if you want a spot, I recommend getting here at least an hour before sunset if not sooner. There are plenty of good restaurants in the area as well as walking/biking paths if that is your jam. This park is right on Lake Union so you will see many boaters out for an evening stroll, seaplanes taking off and landing right on the water, and the sun setting on the beautiful Seattle skyline.

Notes for Photographers:

One of the coolest things to capture at this park are the seaplanes so make sure you’re using a fast shutter speed to catch one taking off or landing.

4. Lincoln Park (West Seattle)

It’s not required to listen to Linkin Park while visiting this beautiful spot but it doesn’t hurt the experience. This spot is located right along Puget Sound and is similar to Discovery Park as it hosts miles of paved walkways, trails through the forest, and waterside beauty. This is a brilliant spot for ferry-watching as there is a Ferry Terminal right next door and there’s just something about a ferry slowly traversing across the Sound during sunset that is so special. You might also catch some locals paddle-boarding, kayaking, or for the truly brave, swimming during golden hour.

Notes for Photographers:

Bring a lens with a longer focal length as this is a popular destination for bald eagles as well as the rare orca.

5. Mount Rainier National Park

How could I not include one of the most magical places in the Pacific Northwest on this list? When visiting Mount Rainier National Park, there are two main areas you will find yourself at, Sunrise or Paradise. I typically visit Paradise as it is home to the Skyline Loop, a 6-mile hiking trail with some of the best views of the mountain in the park. On the other hand, Sunrise also has breathtaking views and some fantastic trails but check online regarding the road conditions as this is the lesser visited of the two and is open from late-June through mid-September. The photos included are from my visit to Sunrise in mid-August, a great time to visit as the wildflowers tend to bloom around then.

Notes for Photographers:

In the mountains, the sun tends to set early so be prepared. To capture the vast beauty of this mountainous region, bring a wide angle but if you’re after detailed shots, I like to carry my 28-75mm with me.

6. Point Ruston (Tacoma)

A popular spot right along the water, Point Ruston is the perfect place to enjoy a nice dinner and then walk along the public path for sunset. If you’re lucky, you might spot a seal or two swimming along. If you park up the hill by the Ferry Terminal, you can walk across the Wilson Way Pedestrian Bridge that literally has slides going down the stairs if you’re feeling like letting your inner child have some fun. The parking can fill up but they just recently lifted the paid parking so now you don’t have to worry about paying to park. Also, if you are a fan of the Dune series, make sure to stop by the Dune Peninsula at Point Defiance Park on your walk. It’s very cool but don’t expect to see Timothee Chalamet there.

Notes for Photographers:

Make sure to visit on a cloudless day so you can see Mount Rainier hanging out in the distance. In the winter months, this is a popular area for whale watching.

7. Snoqualmie Falls (Snoqualmie)

Without a doubt, this is one of my favorite spots in all of Washington. I make sure to stop here every single time I’m in the area of North Bend or Snoqualmie which is fairly often as many of the great hikes are up past North Bend on i90. These falls are very iconic and many fans of the ‘90s series “Twin Peaks” will reference the show when seeing the falls featured prominently in the intro. The sunsets at Snoqualmie Falls are unforgettable as the last light glows on the waterfall and makes for some epic shots.

Notes for Photographers:

The waterfall changes depending on the weather, it’s not as rapid during the summer but can really be flowing in the winter. I find the spring and fall to be the best times to visit as the falls are typically flowing nicely and the colors surrounding the area are really beautiful. I like mixing up the shots I get here between wide angles of the falls and lodge and tighter shots to get the detail of the water flowing.

8. Seattle Waterfront

With the newly redeveloped Waterfront Park, this is the place to be if you’re downtown Seattle. You can spend the afternoon at the ever-busy Pike Place Market, have a great meal at one of the many restaurants in the area, admire the sunset from the overlook walkway, and finish the day riding the Seattle Great Wheel. That sounds like a day well spent in the city and with the awesome update to the waterfront.

Notes for Photographers:

There are plenty of great photo opportunities here whether you want to capture the sun setting on the skyscrapers or looking out to the water, you can’t go wrong here. Get creative and try to capture the moment as you will be around many locals and fellow travelers.

9. Van Lierop Park (Puyallup)

Last but not least, we have a small park about 45 minutes from Seattle in a city called Puyallup. I wanted to include this spot because it is lesser known but a great place to capture the purple lupine plants, specifically in the month of May. With Mount Rainier looming in the background, this is such a nice spot for photographers and travelers alike. Right next door is a wonderful restaurant called Farm 12 which is the perfect place to relax at while you wait for the sunset.

Notes for Photographers:

The best time to visit is mid-May through June for the lupines so plan accordingly. You can get the lupines in the foreground with Rainier in the back, there are just some power lines to work around.