- Shenandoah National Park
- Okay, so this is a given. The park is only about two hours from D.C. and WELL worth it if you want those mountaneous, adventurous shots. My personal favorite overlooks (closest to D.C.) are: Hazel Mountain overlook, Pinnacles overlook, and Jewell Hollow. If you’re okay with hiking a bit, Stony Man hike will give you AMAZING views. For the overlooks, especially Hazel Mountain, don’t be afraid to scramble around the rocks a bit. There’s one that juts out pretty far below that you can get down to for really romantic and private views.
- Great Falls National Park
- So there’s actually two sides to this park: Virginia and Maryland. Everyone has their preference, and I really don’t even know mine! Haha. With the Maryland side, I believe you get more variety. You can get rocky shots over the water, there’s better open areas for movement shots, and there’s just some cool little quirks like bridges and old houses. It’s also slightly better at sunset given the positioning of the setting sun. On the Virginia side, trails are less marked but if you head south past the third overlook and keep going into the woods, you can find some AWESOME private rocks that jut out over the water. Just don’t get lost! Download a Google map before you go and stay close to following the water. I don’t care to shoot on the actual overlooks themselves because they can be crowded.
- Weverton Cliffs
- For this one, you’re going to have to hike a little bit! Situated northwest of D.C., you can get mountain and river views from the scenic overlook. Parking can be tight though so plan accordingly! This is a great option if Shenandoah is too far for you.
- Piscataway Park
- This place is SO often overlooked. If you head to the National Colonial Farm specifically, you can walk around the farm for some vast rustic views. No one is ever here either! There’s also a little pier and, as long as the water is not too high, you can get down to a rocky beach. Get here early, explore, and be creative. You can make this place look awesome!
- Fort Washington Park
- I love this place because it’s SUPER close for D.C. clients. There’s plenty of parking and plenty of space for wide open shots. There’s some cool older buildings and a sideways-leaning tree. It’s a great place if you need a location that can account for a lot of movement and variety. You can get by the water here too!
November 1, 2021
The Best Adventurous Photography Locations Around D.C.!
