Orcas Island gives photographers an impressive mix of mountain views, forests, lakes, waterfalls, rocky beaches, and quiet waterfront scenes. You can capture a completely different setting with just a short drive or hike.
For anyone interested in Orcas Island photography, the hardest part may be deciding where to point the camera first. From the summit of Mount Constitution to the shoreline in Eastsound, these are some of the best places to photograph during your visit.
Moran State Park
Moran State Park offers forests, wetlands, lakes, mountain views, seasonal wildflowers, and miles of trails. This variety makes the park one of the best things to do on Orcas Island for travelers carrying a camera.
The park also participates in designated Washington State Park free days, when visitors do not need a Discover Pass for day-use parking. Check current dates and park information before your trip.
Mount Constitution
Mount Constitution is one of the island’s most recognizable photo spots. At 2,407 feet, it is the highest point in the San Juan Islands and offers sweeping views from Moran State Park.
On clear days, the summit provides views across the San Juan Islands and toward the Cascade and Olympic Mountains. The historic stone observation tower also creates an interesting foreground for landscape photos. For photographers visiting Orcas Island, early morning and late afternoon light can add extra depth to the surrounding scenery.
Cascade Falls
Cascade Falls gives you a chance to photograph another side of Moran State Park. A forest trail leads to the waterfall, where moving water and surrounding greenery create a classic Pacific Northwest scene.
Try different shutter speeds to capture either the movement or individual details of the falling water. Overcast conditions can also provide softer, more balanced light in the forest.
Cascade Lake
Cascade Lake is an easy place to experiment with reflections and changing light. Forested hills surround the freshwater lake, creating plenty of opportunities for wide landscape shots.
The lake is also a popular location for paddling. If you are interested in kayaking on Orcas Island, getting onto the water can provide fresh angles of the shoreline and surrounding hills.
Mountain Lake
Mountain Lake offers a quieter setting deeper inside Moran State Park. Forests surround the lake, and trails provide opportunities to photograph both the water and the wooded landscape.
Calm mornings are especially rewarding. When the wind is light, reflections can turn the lake into a natural mirror.
Obstruction Pass State Park
Head to Obstruction Pass State Park for a different coastal setting. This 76-acre park features madrone trees, rocky landscapes, pebbly beaches, and open water views.
It also has one of the few public beaches on Orcas Island. Bring a wide-angle lens for shoreline landscapes, then zoom in for textures in the rocks, driftwood, trees, and water.
Turtleback Mountain Preserve
Turtleback Mountain Preserve protects more than 1,500 acres on the western side of Orcas Island. Its trail network passes through forests, open meadows, native grasslands, and Garry oak habitat.
Several overlooks provide expansive views across the San Juan Islands. If hiking is part of your photography plan, give yourself enough time to stop along the trail rather than rushing directly to an overlook.
Eastsound Waterfront
You do not need to head into the mountains to find a great photo. Eastsound provides opportunities to capture boats, shoreline views, changing tides, village scenes, and the colors of the sky over East Sound.
Staying nearby also makes it easy to return when the lighting looks promising. Travelers deciding where to stay on Orcas Island can use Eastsound as a convenient home base for exploring many parts of the island.
Plan Your Visit
What are you waiting for? Book your stay in one of our fabulous Orcas Island hotel rooms and experience the magic of the San Juan Islands for yourself!
Final Thoughts
The best photo locations on Orcas Island showcase just how varied the island can be. In one trip, you can photograph mountain panoramas, waterfalls, forest trails, freshwater lakes, rocky beaches, and peaceful waterfront scenes.
Leave room in your itinerary for unexpected stops. Some of your favorite photographs may come from a quiet trail, changing weather, or a view you discover along the way.
Book Your Orcas Island Hotel with The Village Inn at Eastsound
After a day behind the camera, return to the heart of Eastsound Village at The Village Inn at Eastsound. Our location puts you steps from local shopping, restaurants, and other village amenities while providing a convenient starting point for island adventures.
Our boutique Orcas Island hotel rooms are beautifully and sustainably furnished with the comforts you need for a memorable stay. As full-time island residents, we take pride in creating a welcoming space where guests and their pets can relax and experience Orcas Island.
