Q&A: What are good locations for photography in and around Pocatello, Idaho?
1. Historic Downtown Pocatello: This historic district features charming brick buildings, vintage storefronts, and colorful murals, providing a rich urban backdrop for portraits and street photography. If you’ve followed my Instagram page - @PortneufProject - you’ll know that I do a lot of my local photography here. Like traditional town centers across the country, downtown Pocatello has heart and soul that isn’t as available in other vehicle-oriented parts of Pocatello and Chubbuck. Explore the streets, alleys, and parks to find fascinating scenery to make photos of, or to have a portrait taken in front of.
2. Ross Park: Located near the city center, Ross Park offers lush greenery, mature trees, and unique rock formations. It's an excellent spot for family photos, nature shots, and capturing local events. In the warmer months, Upper Ross Park is a great place to watch for marmots (rock chucks), as is the Mountainview Cemetery nearby.
3. Pocatello Idaho Temple: Perched on a hill, the temple boasts stunning architecture and well-manicured grounds. The panoramic views of the city and surrounding landscapes make it a favorite for architectural and landscape photography.
4. Edson Fichter Nature Area: This serene locale features walking trails, ponds, and abundant wildlife. It's ideal for capturing tranquil nature scenes and bird photography.
5. Mink Creek Recreation Area: A short drive from Pocatello, Mink Creek offers mountainous terrain, dense forests, and flowing streams. It's perfect for landscape photography, especially during the fall when the foliage turns vibrant colors, but you may see wild turkeys or deer any time of the year. One of my favorite spots for colors in the area is at the Nordic Ski Area operated by the City of Pocatello by permit in the National Forest. Don’t forget to drive the East Fork of Mink Creek Road to the Scout Mountain Campground - there’s a fun dirt road that has some popular stops for scenic vistas overlooking the valley below.
6. Portneuf River Greenway: This network of trails along the Portneuf River provides scenic views of the water, bridges, and surrounding flora. It's a great spot for sunrise or sunset shots, as well as candid photos of locals enjoying outdoor activities. Sacajawea Park in late summer and fall is incredibly popular for family and senior portraits on account of the long grasses and thick trees - just watch out for flying discs from the nearby disc golf course.
7. ISU Campus: Idaho State University's campus features a blend of historic and modern architecture, open lawns, and art installations, offering diverse backdrops for various photography styles. The pillars on Red Hill are a Pocatello landmark and sunset here in late summer is a perfect time for landscape photography of the city from Red Hill.
8. Buckskin Road: Buckskin Road runs east of Pocatello into the nearby mountains. Most of the time it mostly just makes for a pretty drive but in the fall, the foliage is absolutely amazing. It usually starts getting great colors at the end of September and really turns on around the second week of October.
9. Chesterfield Historic Townsite: Okay- this is outside of Pocatello by about an hours drive but if you like well-preserved historical buildings from the early Mormon settlers, don’t sleep on visiting. Winter or late summer are my favorite times to visit - In winter the access is restricted to one main road so you’ll have to do most of your photography from the should but the emptiness of the area really sets a mood for how much of a struggle it would have been to live in those conditions without modern technology. In the summer, access to buildings is great and you’ll be able to even tour many of the buildings.
When planning your photography outings, consider the time of day and season to capture these locations in their best light. Always check for any required permits or access restrictions. Engaging with local photography groups can also provide additional insights and hidden gems in the area.
