2 Favorite UTAH mountain locations for family photos
If you’ve ever dreamed of capturing your family surrounded by towering pines, glowing mountain light, and peaceful alpine views, you’re in the right place. I’m Wendy, a family photographer based in the Salt Lake City area, and one of my favorite things about living here is how quickly we can escape into the mountains. Within a short drive, we have access to some of the most beautiful mountain locations in Utah for family photos — places that feel like they’re straight out of a postcard, yet are easy and accessible for families with kids.
If you’re looking for family photos that feel natural, beautiful, and connected — the mountains are always my first recommendation.
Tibble Fork Reservoir is one of the most versatile and stunning mountain photo locations in Utah. Tibble Fork Reservoir is about 30–40 minutes south of Salt Lake City, up American Fork Canyon, and is such a beautiful and easy mountain escape. This spot offers a little bit of everything — water, trees, a wooden fence, and wide-open fields. What I love most about Tibble Fork is how much it offers in one place. The reservoir sits beautifully with tall evergreen trees rising up behind it. There's so much space for kids to just be themselves.
If you’re up for it, you can even step into the water — I recently had a teen do this, and it made the session so fun and memorable. There are restrooms nearby, which always makes things easier for families. In the fall, the leaves start to change on some of the trees and everything feels warm and golden.
Tibble Fork Reservoir
Big Springs in Provo Canyon is such a peaceful tucked-away Utah mountain gem. If you love trees, soft light, and a quiet mountain feel, this is the spot for you. It’s especially gorgeous in late summer and fall, when the colors start to shift and the air feels crisp. I love the little stream that runs through Big Springs. It creates fun, candid moments, and kids are always drawn to it. There’s also an easy walking path, which makes it easy to move around and find a variety of backgrounds. Big Springs is also great for families with younger kids because the area is easy to access and doesn’t require tons of walking. We can get amazing images without a big hike.
Big Springs is located up Provo Canyon, about 45 minutes to an hour from Salt Lake City. And yes, there are restrooms!
Big Springs
