A Landscape Photographer’s Guide To Fall Photography In Bend Oregon
The Fall season is a favorite for people all over the world. Whether it be the crisp air, cooler temperatures, or the pumpkin spice flavor seemingly on tap, there are tons of reasons for it being such a fantastic time of the year. But photographers (and specifically landscape photographers) I think get the most excited for it, and for good reason. The stunning Fall foliage is a MUST capture experience for landscape photographers. What might normally be a boring scene can come to life with these colors and make it an award winning image perhaps! Some photographers even treat this time of the year as a near religious experience! There are well known places for photographing stunning landscape in the Fall such as Colorado, Utah, and Washington in the West or New Hampshire, Vermont, and North Carolina on the East Coast. But what if I were to say there is a hidden gem that isn’t discussed much on the West Coast? A little place called Bend Oregon perhaps?
In this guide, you will find my honest opinion as to if Bend Oregon should be on every landscape photographer's list, a location guide, and accompanies YouTube videos and galleries to help provide you with all the tools to have an epic Fall photography experience!
Is Bend Oregon A Fall Photography Must For Landscape Photographers?
I think this can actually be a bit of a loaded question. BUT, let me explain because the answer is yes and no.
Bend Oregon is stunningly beautiful in the Fall! All over town (and particularly around Drake Park) there is abundant amounts of Fall color. As you begin to venture out into the wilderness and way from town, the color becomes more scarce, but not at all less beautiful. It just becomes… different.
Where in town hosts loads of beautiful color, they are all trees that have been planted for the very purpose of making the town extra beautiful during the Fall. As you head into the wild, the plethora of Fall color begins to dissipate and become the more natural Fall experience. You will being seeing the ground covered in beautiful Maple Vine turning a golden yellow, groves of Aspen trees shimmering bright yellow, and if you look close enough, yellow Larch trees mixed in.
What you won’t find here is mountain sides completely plastered with these colors like you would find in the North Cascades of Washington or over in Colorado. Instead, you have to hunt for these beautiful small groves. But when you find them, they feel extra special for the work you put into it.
So, is it a must for landscape photographers? If you are interested in hunting for these colors and enjoy the process of photography as whole with an appreciation for a more intimate Fall scene, then yes it is absolutely worth it. It is a stunningly beautiful place with loads of photographic opportunity. PLUS, you don’t have to deal with the insane number of people here like you would in other places! That said, if you are more interested in a mountain side that has transformed into an epic golden landscape, then no this probably isn’t exactly what you are looking for.
BUT, don’t just take my word for it. Let me show you some photos I captured in the Fall 2025 season and let YOU decide! Below, you’ll find a quick photo sample of the area PLUS a location guide with accompanied videos to help!
Fall Photography Location Guide:
1. Shevlin Park: This is a fantastic place to find Larch trees, Aspen trees, and all sorts of birds. This is a park that you will see come up on your searches many times as a place for photography. Here is a video on what to expect in the area!
2. Tumalo Falls: This is another very popular spot to visit and for good reason. It has some AMAZING waterfalls with great hiking trails and even better mountain biking trails! Go check out these videos for more information on the photography and mountain bike trails here!
Fall Photography At Tumalo Falls
Mountain Biking at Tumalo Falls
3. Cascade Lakes Highway: Can find some beautiful Fall colors across vast lakes with mountainous backgrounds. Be sure to check here for current road conditions as the road is not plowed and will close for the Winter season usually early November. Here is a video on what to expect in the area!
4. Sisters: SO not technically in Bend anymore, but it is next door via a short drive. You will find loads of Maple Vine and Fall color such as Aspen trees. (Sorry no YouTube video for this one!) Check back soon for a nearby location video though!
5. Ochoco Wilderness: Also not in Bend, but about an hour away lies mountains full of Larch trees. It is a spectacularly beautiful area that also has some incredible mountain biking trails! There is NO cell service in the area however, so be sure to go prepared. Go check out the video below for a full experience in the area!
If you want to stay up to date with the BEST information to build your next adventure or you just want to see more of my adventures and photography, follow along on Instagram @martins_migration or subscribe to the newsletter below, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!
Check Out The Gear I’m Using!
Check Out More Articles You Might Enjoy!
If you’ve ever wanted to pack big adventure into just one night, this Bend, Oregon backpacking trip delivers. With not too challenging trails, glacial streams, and the unforgettable beauty of No Name Lake high up on Broken Top. To make it even better? Get rewarded with stunning night skies that are sure to stir up some epic philosophical discussions!