This page is a work in progress, since I have moved from Mesa, Arizona to Russellville, Arkansas in July 2022. Locations will be updated as opportunities to research and take images in new areas come.
There are a few considerations when deciding on the location of your photos.
- The look you hope to achieve (lake, greenery and flowers, fall colors, rustic, urban, modern, etc.)
- Lighting/Shade
- Accessibility or amount of walking/hiking to get to location
- Parking or other fees at location
- Distance from your home
- Crowds of people in the area/parking available
Below are many of the locations that I have become familiar with in the Mesa, AZ area and what to consider with each location as you decide where you'll have your next photos taken.
Nichols Park at Water Ranch (GILBERT)
CLOSED FOR CONSTRUCTION 2022-2027?
Located behind Walgreens on SW corner of Higley and Guadalupe.
Lighting is amazing at almost any time of day.
Green grass, cottonwood trees (green in summer, fall colors, leaves drop in winter).
Plenty of free parking
Can attract crowds, but there is ample space.
Occasionally this area can be flooded after rainstorms and can have issues with mosquitos during those wet seasons.
Requires a 5-10 minute walk from the parking area down into the grassy area.
Riparian Preserve (GILBERT)
Located by the Gilbert Library on the SE corner of Greenfield Rd and Guadalupe Rd.
Expansive areas with a variety of backgrounds including water, metal bridge, desert landscape, unique boulders and saguaro garden surrounded with wooden fence, cottonwood trees (color changing in late Fall).
Free parking, very limited during peak hours
Attracts crowds especially during peak photography seasons and times (Fall, Winter, Spring, before sunset)
Brief or long walk depending on desired areas of park.
Freestone Park (GILBERT)
Located SE of Lindsay Rd and Guadalupe Rd.
Plenty of free parking
Green grassy areas, water feature with boulders and surrounding greenery, mostly palm trees and bushes. Park benches, concrete wall, railroad track, attractive & rustic bridge, carousel.
Easy to access, minimal walking.
Downtown Gilbert (GILBERT)
Located along Gilbert Rd. north of Elliot Rd.
Attractive buildings with various textures and plants.
Limited free parking in specific areas.
May require some walking to different desired locations.
Popular location with pedestrians.
Gilbert Temple (GILBERT)
Located on SE corner of Pecos Rd and Greenfield Rd.
Beautiful floral and grassy landscape with trees and water features. This temple is a special location for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Quiet environment.
Plenty of free parking.
Morrison Ranch Common Area and around pond (GILBERT)
Located on East side of Higley Rd. South of Elliot Rd.
Large areas of green grass and many trees. Farm silos in distance. Lake, benches, white fences.
Plenty of free parking.
Red Mountain Park (MESA)
Located on South side of Brown Rd between Power Rd. and L202 Freeway. Just east of Red Mountain Highschool.
Variety of backgrounds to choose from; grassy hills with blackened trunked mesquite trees, cottonwoods and lake, desert areas with unique boulders and desert plants.
Plenty of free parking.
Usery Mountain Park (MESA)
Main Entrance off Ellsworth, north of McDowell (day pass fee)
Alternate Desert Access:
Crismon Rd. and McKellips Rd.
Meridian Dr. and McDowell Blvd.
Idaho Rd. and McDowell Blvd.
Desert plants, open space, mountain views.
Plenty of free parking.
Downtown Mesa / Mesa Arts Center (MESA)
Located near Main St. and Center St.
Water features, steps (great for large groups), variety of creative urban backdrops.
Plenty of free parking
Mesa Temple (MESA) - Reopened after renovation Oct 2021
Located near Mesa Dr. and Main St.
Beautiful floral and grassy landscape with trees and water features. This temple is a special location for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Quiet environment.
Plenty of free parking.
Lost Dutchman State Park Area - Superstition Mountains (APACHE JUNCTION)
Located at 6109 N Apache Trail
Small entrance fee per vehicle.
Desert landscape with variety of plants, trails, washes, rustic fences and Superstition Mountains. Plenty of space.
Several Parking lots available.
Superstition Mountain Museum - Superstition Mountains (APACHE JUNCTION)
Located at 4087 E Apache Trail and surrounding areas
Close view of Superstition Mountains, low growing desert, old wooden buildings, white Elvis chapel. Need low sun (early morning or before sunset).
Plenty of free dirt lot parking.
Salt River Recreation Areas (TONTO National Forrest)
All parking areas require a Tonto Pass (approx. $8) per vehicle, National Park Annual Pass OR 4th grade Pass.
*Granite Reef
Small parking lot, dense dark-trunked mesquite trees, Red Mountain across from Salt River as backdrop, interesting trees, trunks, roots. Seasonal green depending on rainfall. Dirt trails, small amount of walking required to get to different locations.
*Phon D Sutton
Large parking area, access to large light rocks near the river with minimal walking. Low growing desert and Mountains on every side (Red Mountain Mountain, Four Peaks, etc.)
*Water Users Rec Site
Large Parking area, river rocks, large cliffs, low water area of the river. Low-growing desert plants. Short sandy walk to river area from parking area.
Boulder Mountain
South Mountain (PHOENIX)
Scorpion Gulch - unique, small and rustic building and desert surrounding.
Limited free parking.
Papago Park (TEMPE)
Plenty of free parking.
Desert Botanical Garden (TEMPE)
Entrance Fee
Tempe Town Lake (TEMPE)
Boyce Thompson Arboretum (SUPERIOR)
Entrance Fee
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