Scenic Parks That Are Great For Photography In Connecticut

Connecticut offers a wide range of scenic parks that are ideal for photography, from coastal overlooks to forested trails and waterfalls. These locations provide strong natural backdrops for landscape, nature, and seasonal photography. This guide highlights the best scenic parks across the state whether you’re a landscape photographer or a portrait photographer.

Harkness Memorial state Park

This is arguably one of Connecticut’s most beautiful parks. It features multiple gardens, water views, a beach, and even a mansion. In the spring, there are thousands of daffodils in bloom in the park and in the summer months, the well-maintained gardens are in bloom. It’s a great spot for general photography, bird photography, and even portraits.
Learn more about visiting this park: Harkness Memorial State Park in Connecticut

Kent Falls State Park

If you love taking long exposures of waterfalls like I do, Kent Falls State Park is a must-visit. This park is home to Connecticut’s largest waterfall. If you’re looking to get photos without people near the falls, I recommend going during the off-season. The photo in this post was taken in early May, so I got green leaves without people swimming by the falls.
Learn more about visiting this park: Kent Falls State Park CT

Gillette Castle State Park

This park offers absolutely stunning views of the Connecticut River and it features a unique castle. In the warmer months, you’ll find various flowers around the park. There are gardens behind the castle and in the spring, there are beautiful wisteria by the pond that’s close to the entrance of the park. There are plenty of photo opportunities around the park whether you’re doing general photography or looking to take some portraits.
Learn more about visiting the park: Gillette Castle State Park

Lighthouse Point Park

If you love lighthouses and the shoreline, this is a great spot to go for pictures. I love that you can get close to the lighthouse in the park. There’s a lighthouse you can see in the distance from the beach, so a telephoto might not be a bad idea to bring for a visit to this park. You can also use the telephoto for bird photography because there are some really cool coastal birds that come here in the winter months.
Learn more about visiting this park: Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven

Hubbard Park

Hubbard Park is a great spot for photos year-round. The main portion of the park features a pond, views of Castle Craig from below, and daffodils in the spring. For more scenic views, head up to Castle Craig, which also serves as an observation tower. You’ll get views of the main part of the park below and great views of the reservoir. You can hike up to Castle Craig or drive during the regular season.
Learn more about visiting this park: Hubbard Park In Connecticut

Rocky Neck State Park

Rocky Neck State Park is a great spot to go for some coastal photos. There’s a large beach and various spots to photograph it from. You can get some great photos of the beach from the hill that The Pavilion sits on. If you’re into wildlife photography, the marsh and wetlands are home to so many different birds such as ospreys, eagles, herons, and egrets. This is also a popular spot for portrait photography!
Learn more about visiting this park: Rocky Neck State Park CT

Silver Sands State Park

Silver Sands State Park is another great spot for coastal photos. This spot features water views and a beautiful boardwalk along the water. The boardwalk will take you right to Walnut Beach next door, which has a nice pier as well. It’s also a great spot for wildlife photography. You can often find deer in the early mornings and there are birds in the wetlands.
Discover more things to do in town: Things To Do In Milford, Connecticut

Mohegan Park

Mohegan Park in Norwich is a large park with various photo opportunities. In the summer months, the rose garden is a must-visit. Other points of interest around the park are the pond and the large fountain by the dog pound. The pond also offers wildlife photo opportunities. I’ve taken some great photos of blue herons in the pond.
Discover more things to do in town: Things To Do In Norwich, Connecticut

Boothe Memorial Park

Boothe Memorial Park in Stratford is a great spot for general photography. The park features a beautiful rose garden as well as multiple interesting buildings. When the garden is in bloom, you can get a lot of interesting photos around the park framing some of the buildings with the roses. There are also some magnolia trees to photograph in the spring.
Discover more things to do in town: Things To Do In Stratford, Connecticut

Devil’s hopyard Sate Park

If you’re looking for another great waterfall to photograph, Devil’s Hopyard State Park has you covered with Chapman Falls. In addition to the waterfall, this park also has a covered bridge, a river, and a plenty of beautiful wooded areas. It’s a popular spot for general photography and portraits!
Discover more waterfalls in Connecticut: Don’t Miss These Stunning Waterfalls In Connecticut

Elizabeth Park

Elizabeth Park is a popular spot for portrait photography of all types and it’s also a great spot for general photography. In the spring and summer, the gardens are in bloom. In the spring, you can expect tulips, and in the summer you can expect roses. There’s also a pond and a picturesque bridge by the pond.

Lovers Leap State Park

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Lovers Leap State Park in New Milford offers some beautiful views of the Housatonic River. It’s a short walk to get to the viewpoint shown in the picture. There’s also a historic wrought-iron lenticular truss bridge you can photograph as well.