Insider's Guide to Thurston County Photo Ops
Looking for new places to explore that include memorable photo opportunities? The Greater Olympia area is full of possibilities.
We asked locals to suggest lesser-known photo spots around Thurston County. Following are their recommendations—plus tips from professional photographers for taking better pictures with your mobile phone!
Best photo spots in the Olympia region:
Capture Nature & Wildlife Wonders
The colors, lighting, and weather naturally change the setting for photos in nature. Your favorite park or trail can look different on every visit. Embrace it and experiment!
Update your virtual meeting background photo with the scenery on the trails at Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls and Millersylvania State Park. Bring a camera—and binoculars—for the wildlife at the Woodard Bay Conservation Area.
The colors and scents of Thurston County's Lavender Farms are at their peak in July. And next time you’re driving on Corporate Center Drive in Lacey, pull over for a quick photo of the trees in bloom or flashing their fall colors.
Downtown Olympia
Downtown Olympia is a wonderfully walkable destination, making it easy to explore with a camera in hand. Stroll along Capitol Lake for sweeping water views, then head up to the Capitol Campus for iconic architecture and grounds that change beautifully with the seasons. Along the way, you’ll find charming storefronts, colorful galleries, and unique details that make every block photo-worthy. It’s the perfect place to slow down, wander, and capture the character of the city from every angle.
Snap the Scenic Waterfront
You’re not far from water anywhere you stand in Thurston County. For photos with the Olympic Mountains, head over to Swantown Marina or the Port of Olympia's Billy Frank Jr. Park at North Point.
At Percival Landing you can find interesting camera angles among the marina, park, public art and walkways.
Frame Stunning Architecture
Creative photographers in Yelm have fun incorporating the city’s water tower and the vibrant blue metal wall of the PTL Hardwood Floors building at 310 Railroad St. NW.
Be sure to include the beautiful Capitol Campus in your list of architectural sites. Stroll around the Capitol and its vast front steps for light, shadows, railings, and angles for more interesting photos. (Check for access restrictions before you go.)
Tenino’s historic sandstone buildings and quarry pool offer a unique backdrop for captivating photos.
Discover & Photograph Downtown Murals
From superheroes to salmon, murals in downtown Olympia make interesting photo backdrops—and an interesting tour of outdoor art.
Artists often add to the Yelm graffiti wall, so you could see new photo potential on every visit. Find the graffiti wall at the beginning of the Yelm-Tenino Trail. (Park behind the Boys and Girls Club at 105 West Yelm Ave.) Wander over to 102 East Yelm Avenue to see a mural that honors the community’s history and Mount Rainier connections.
Step Back in Time at Tenino Depot & Meet the Wolves at Wolf Haven
Framed by moss-flecked sandstone blocks and fronting a picturesque forest waterfall, the Tenino Quarry Pool looks like a lush resort escape. The Tenino Depot Museum (next to the quarry pool) is a former working train depot full of local history, including an authentic period washing machine, clothing and accessories from the 1930s and '40s, and a press used to make wooden currency during the Great Depression. Also, not to be missed is Wolf Haven International, a nationally recognized wolf sanctuary that has rescued and provided a lifetime home for 250 displaced, captive-born animals since 1982. Guided 50-minute walking visits (reservations are a must) offer guests a rare, close-up view of wolves. Wolf Haven provides a variety of educational programs, participates in multi-agency Species Survival Plan programs for critically endangered wolves, and advocates for wolves in the wild.
Discover Nature in Lacey at Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually Refuge & Tolmie State Park
It's a photographer's playground here, where pristine natural landscapes welcome a diverse array of creatures. The Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is a protected estuary where the freshwater of the Nisqually River meets the saltwater of the Puget Sound, creating a natural habitat that provides a home for a diverse variety of birds, animals, and marine life. Here, there are numerous photo opportunities and a photogenic boardwalk that offers an up-close view of the action. Not far away is Tolmie State Park, featuring beautiful beaches that offer the perfect location for a picturesque sunrise or sunset.
Bonus: Tips for better cellphone photos when you visit
Follow these tips to make the most of your mobile photos when you visit Thurston County.
- Try the manual mode, which lets you control focus, lighting, shutter speed and more.
- Position your subject so the light source is behind them, coming in at a 45-degree angle.
- Look for an angle with lines that lead toward your subject. You can find leading lines with trees, a pathway, a railing—lines are everywhere.
- Use portrait mode. It can provide background softness around your subject and makes them pop.
More Trip Ideas
