Utah Family Photo Location

One of my very favorite locations is Tunnel Springs Park in North Salt Lake, Utah in Davis County. The Bonneville Shoreline Trail runs past this park and it's a huge area with tennis courts, open fields, trails, rolling hills, and a view of the valley.

I've taken photos here in spring when the hills and grass are very green. In the Summer it's really dry and the weeds are yellow. In the fall there were sunflowers and taller weeds and grass. Tunnel Springs Park is very versatile for family, extended family, engagement, wedding, senior, and any other type of photos. It can be a very busy place on the weekends, but there is plenty of room for all the photographers and people who want to have photos taken here.

Tunnel Springs Park

This fall I took photos of an amazing family during the golden hour before sunset. The little 3 year-old had fallen asleep in the car and wasn't excited for photos, but once we played in the long grass and explored the park he was excited!

We took photos behind the tennis court area and found sunflowers growing close by. Here are some photos by the flowers.

One thing to note is the bathrooms are quite far from the south parking lot. I'd have your kids go before they have photos taken.

Also, there are not water fountains so bring water and snacks for your kids.

The parking lot is on gravel and the park is very weedy. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and plan to walk a bit. I like to take photos walking and playing together.

Tall Grass and Field

After the sunflower area we walked a few minutes to the area with tall weeds. The kids had such a fun time playing in the weeds and it was like a maze. I followed them around and took a bunch of candid photos. I love the golden light and the open space of the field at Tunnel Springs. There is literally so much you can do here for backgrounds and photos. It's not the typical park with a playground, but it was fun trees to hide in and trails to explore that kids love it here. Mostly the kids loved running around and having the freedom to roam.

Spring Photos by Michelle Deppe Photography

There are also fences that run along the hillside and down the field. It's fun to use the fence in your portraits and I've done that a lot. I had a graduating senior from the University of Utah have her pictures taken at the park in May and it was still so green and perfect weather that day. Here's an example of the variety of backgrounds in the springtime. You'll see that it looks a lot different from the fall photos at the same place. Like I said, the variety of shots is amazing and so much fun here.

Time of Day to Take Photos

The best time of day is about 45 minutes before sunrise or about an hour before sunset. The natural light outdoors is my favorite. There is a warm glow during golden hour.

There is not much shade so it is best to have the sun lower or behind the mountains on the east side. Typically it's less busy in the mornings. You might find some runners, walkers, and bikers at the park, but they don't go in the weeds and up the hillside. They stay on the trail. The shoreline trail goes to Salt Lake and up north into Bountiful Utah. I'm not sure how many miles it is, but there is plenty of room to share the space with everyone at the park.

Really, you can take photos all year round here, but I think the best time is spring and fall. When it is 90 degrees and no shade it's not as comfortable at Tunnel Springs.

Here are some more late summer photos at the park.

Michelle Deppe Photography

I hope you've liked my photos at Tunnel springs park and would love to work with you.

Send me a message below.

Thanks!!