A Photographer’s Weekend Itinerary in Brookings | Oregon
The Oregon Coast is absolutely a bucket-list destination for photographers. Towering cliffs, rugged shorelines, and the crashing Pacific Ocean create unreal compositions. After living in Oregon for over five years and photographing much of its coastline, there’s one place that consistently stands out above the rest: Brookings, Oregon home to the best photo locations in the entire state.
If you’re searching for epic, rugged, dramatic landscape photography locations, this stretch of the coast delivers every time. One of the top things to do in Brookings, Oregon for photographers is exploring the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, a breathtaking 12-mile run of viewpoints, sea stacks, arches, and wooded trails along Oregon’s southwestern edge. It’s truly one of the most iconic and photogenic areas on the Oregon Coast.
In this photographer’s weekend itinerary for Brookings, I’ll walk you through some of my favorite places to shoot, including Natural Bridges, Oregon Redwoods, Secret Beach, Thomas Creek Bridge, Whaleshead Beach and Harris Beach State Park. These are must-visit locations for anyone looking to capture unforgettable landscape photography in Brookings.
Natural Bridges
Should we start with the most epic spot? I know I should save it for last… but there’s no way. I have absolutely no self-control when it comes to this place. Natural Bridges is one of those locations that doesn’t even feel real when you’re standing there. The cliffs are massive, dramatic, and honestly surreal to see up close.
From the main overlook, you get an insane view of the rocky arch and the turquoise water swirling below. There is a trail that gets you closer, but let me warn you, calling it “sketchy” is being generous. If your idea of fun includes loose dirt, steep drop-offs, and questioning your life choices halfway down…then hey, go for it. Even from the safe viewpoints, Natural Bridges is impeccable. It’s one of those places that makes traveling with your camera worth it.
Oregon Redwoods
The Oregon Redwoods is an absolute must for tree lovers like myself. This trail is a short loop through mixed-species with some small old-growth redwoods. They may be small in comparison to the ones in California but they are huge in comparison to the other trees on this hike and in person. One thing I absolutely love about Oregon is how green and lush it is in the winter. All that rain definitely has at least one perk.. lol
Whats fun about all of these locations are they are beautiful year round even if it’s raining you can get the dramatic perfectly lit moody shots. The Oregon Redwoods is the perfect dense forest hike to get all of those wooded beautiful shots. Come at sunrise or sunset to get the perfect light through the trees or come on a rainy day to capture all the Oregon vibes in the woods.
Secret Beach
If you want to get right down by the ocean and grab some amazing shots, Secret Beach is the spot. The trail leads to two different viewpoints, and during low tide you can actually walk down onto the beach. Just a heads-up: the path to the sand gets pretty steep, and there are a few ropes to help you on the way down, which makes it feel extra adventurous.
This location is perfect for sunset—the golden hour light here is spectacular—and the views looking down from the cliffs are just as beautiful as the beach itself. Here is the link to the Secret Beach Trail.
Thomas Creek Bridge
Thomas Creek Bridge is another photo-worthy stop along the Southern Oregon Coast. It’s actually Oregon’s tallest bridge, standing 345 feet above a deep valley along Highway 101, just north of Brookings. There’s a viewpoint where you can see it, but the shot I captured was with my drone.
If you want to check it out, look up the Thomas Creek Bridge Overlook on AllTrails. The view from above, with the bridge surrounded by dense forest, makes for an epic drone shot.
Whaleshead Beach
Another beautiful spot worth checking out is Whaleshead Beach. It’s an absolute must for sunset and much easier to access than Secret Beach. No hike required—you can park right off Highway 101 and walk straight onto the sand.
I loved wandering around here and soaking in those classic Oregon Coast views. The tall grass, small dunes, sea stacks in the distance, and the ocean all come together to create some seriously stunning photo opportunities. Here’s the parking area for Whaleshead Beach—it’s literally just off the side of the road and it was completely worth the stop.
Harris Beach State Park
Harris Beach State Park is another great spot for photos. It has beautiful views of Bird Island (also called Goat Island), which is a National Wildlife Sanctuary, and it’s super close to town. The beach is filled with rocky formations and sea stacks, and there are even a few caves you can walk into for some creative shots.
Harris Beach is also home to Bird Island, a breeding ground for rare birds like tufted puffins—though sadly, I didn’t spot any during my visit. If I had, you’d definitely be seeing a whole gallery of those adorable birds.
Some of the shots in this blog were taken with my old setup—a Canon 5D Mark IV with a 16–35mm lens—and my current go-to, a Canon R5 with a 24–70mm lens. The drone shot? That’s from my DJI Mavic Pro 2. I’ve also put together a list of recommended photography gear to help you handle any kind of Oregon weather on your trip.
Photography Gear
Camera: DSLR or mirrorless (Canon R series, orSony A7 series recommended)
Lenses:
Wide-angle (16–35mm) for landscapes, cliffs, and beaches
Standard zoom (24–70mm) for versatility
Telephoto (70–200mm) for distant wildlife or seascapes
Drone: Optional, perfect for cliffs like Thomas Creek Bridge and Natural Bridges
Tripod: Compact travel tripod for long exposure shots
Filters: ND or Polarizer for water and sky shots
Extra Batteries & Memory Cards
Camera Cleaning Kit: for sand and sea spray
Rain Cover: to protect your camera or a simple umbrella can do the trick
Once your camera’s ready, it’s time to start planning your Oregon trip. Brookings and the southern Oregon Coast are seriously stunning, you’ll want to stop for a photo every five seconds. This place is wild, beautiful, and easily one of my favorite spots in Oregon.
Thanks for following along on the blog—I hope these tips help you capture some truly beautiful landscape photography!