Milky Way Photography Spots Outside Sedona

This depends largely on how far you want to travel and how much time you have. The more time you have available to travel, the more places you can go visit. This does not have to be a trip from Sedona. It is probably better to take a separate trip for this if you are wanting to visit places farther. But here is the list of places that you could go pretty easily. Northern Arizona and southern Utah have a whole bunch of dark skies so it is just a matter of where you want to shoot Milky Way and with what in your foreground. The best way is to just explore and find some places or things that you would like to shoot!

1) Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon may not be known for a Milky Way Photography destination. However, it sure does have dark skies. It it challenging to shoot Milky Way from south rim because the canyon faces north. However, there are certain spots that you can. On the other side, it is easier to compose the canyon and the Milky Way from the north rim if you are willing to drive 3 extra hours.

2) Marble Canyon/Navajo Bridge

Cliff Dwellers and Balanced Rock in this area make up an interesting composition with some fallen rocks and ruins. You may also be interested in using the Navajo Bridge as a foreground.

3) Wupatki National Monument

If you are interested in ruins, this is the place. Located only 30-40min from Flagstaff, you can easily take a trip up here. The park is accessible 24 hours so pick your spot and shoot. You can create some interesting shots if you want to light paint the ruin.

4) Horseshoe Bend

I know, I know. You are going to say that the Milky Way and Horseshoe Bend do not line up. The core may not but you can still shoot Milky Way here. Just make sure to stay safe because you will be setting up your camera right at the cliff and it can be pretty windy as well.

5) Lake Mary

If you are not wanting to travel too far from Sedona or Flagstaff, Lake Mary is only 30min away from Flagstaff. And the sky is as dark as it gets around here.

6) Elephant's Feet Rocks

You can find these rocks on 160 east to Tuba City. Just rocks that resemble feet of an elephant but you may find it interesting.

↑Back to Top