Best Outdoor Portrait Locations In Goshen County (And Surrounding Areas)

Choose the perfect spot for your next senior portrait or family portrait session in Goshen County!

If you’re scheduled for senior or family pictures, or just need a beautiful spot for some fun pictures, you’re in the right place.

In this guide, I’ll show you the best outdoor portrait locations in Goshen County, tell you what I love (and don’t love!) about each location, and help you pick the best time of year to use that location.  

By the end of this guide, I hope you’ll have a few locations in mind for your next senior picture or family photo session with me!

Cottonwood Golf Course

Cottonwood Golf Course is one of the most beautiful courses in Wyoming, if you ask me!  It sits adjacent to the North Platte River and is filled with mature trees and beautiful landscaping.  Footbridges, buck rail fences, and walking paths help us create variety in our images.

Permission to shoot here is required in advance, and subject to what’s going on at the course at the time, including tournaments or golf leagues.  

The gazebo by the courthouse is a perennial favorite, but I know of some other walls, murals, doorways, and ledges that can give us an urban feel without leaving your hometown.

Downtown Lingle

If you agree with Morgan Wallen and can’t love someone more than your hometown, let’s take some photos in your hometown of Lingle!

Main street Lingle has a few fun textures and framing options for senior pictures.  The park and amphitheater can be a nod to your childhood days.  And there are also some hidden murals, a fun tree row, or incorporate the school into a few pictures.  No one is going to mistake it for metro Denver, but be proud of those roots and show them off with some small-town American vibes in your pictures!

Downtown Torrington

If you’re more urban or just don’t love the idea of snakes at your summer sessions, downtown Torrington is a fun backdrop for photos.  We can make use of my favorite white brick walls, shoot under the marquee of Torrington Cinemas, or go a little more gritty in an alley or alcove.  

Downtown Yoder

So calling it “downtown” is a biiiigggg stretch.  But there are some fun spots for photos, even in little ol’ Yoder!  The firehhall has a fun brick wall and staircase, the wood doors on the post office building give an opportunity for texture, and the park is beautiful and green in the summer!

If you’re a Southeast grad, the school itself can also be a backdrop.  It has beautiful brick, some great tree rows and lots of framing opportunities.

Like any space, it’s all what you make of it.  But I love incorporating pieces of you into your session, and if Yoder is part of your life, let’s use it!

Eastern Wyoming College Campus

Though not big by most standards, the EWC campus has some hidden treasurers perfect for portraits.  There are lush lawns, mature trees, a beautiful fountain, and some fun staircases/walls to use.  

This isn’t a private location, and if we shoot during the fall/spring, chances are you’ll see a fair number of college students wandering by.  If you’d like it a little more private, plan for a summer session or shoot when the college is out on break.

Goshen County Fairgrounds

The fairgrounds would be an ideal location for the senior or family who plan their summer around the county fair!  It’s also a great location for pictures with your market animal or horse if your own home isn’t super scenic.

The barns give us lots of framing opportunities and an easy opportunity to set up what I call a black background shot with your livestock or horses.  The beef show ring has beautiful grass and the bleachers are also accessible for photos.  All that’s missing is a cold lemonade!

Fort Laramie National Historic Site (includes the Fort, nature trail, and iron bridge)

One of the most iconic spots you can choose for senior pictures or family portraits is Fort Laramie National Historic Site, including the Fort itself, the old iron bridge, or the Confluence nature trail.

The Fort Laramie National Historic Site k is open year-round from sunrise to sunset and is free for visitors.  This is a great location if you want some historic structures in your photos (think wooden porches, stone walls and old-fashioned buildings in the background.)  The drawbacks are it’s very hot in summer and can be crowded if you hit it at the wrong time.

Nearby is the old iron bridge, once used by army troops to cross the North Platte River.  The bridge itself is a great setting for senior pictures, engagement photos, or family photos.  The bridge is also the head of the Confluence trail, a 1.6-mile loop trail that provides access to the confluence of the North Platte River and Laramie River.

The trail area is shady but muggy in the summer but offers stunning fall colors.  This is also a favorite spot if you want the river itself in your images, as the path has river access in several spots.  Come prepared with bug spray and closed-toed shoes, as there are starting to be lots of cacti spread along the trail.

Haven on the Rock

Haven on the Rock is a private camp that serves as a youth ministry camp in the summer.  It sits southwest of Lingle, on hills overlooking the entire valley.

It offers sweeping vistas, rugged Goshen County views, and a number of old-fashioned-looking buildings to use as a backdrop (think weathered wood and fort-style buildings).  

It’s full of campers in the summer but is available for events and photographs in spring or fall.  A client actually held her wedding here!  Permission is needed, but this spot is full of opportunities for an adventurous senior or family!

Hawk Springs State Park

Hawk Springs Reservoir is the perfect spot for fishing and boating in Goshen County.  At the right time of day and year, it can also be a fun spot for senior or family pictures!

Hawk Springs photographs better in the morning, when the sun is coming up in the east and at your back.  It’s also STUNNING about 20 minutes before sundown.  Otherwise, you’re looking right into the sun as we shoot, which is generally NOT what we want for portraits.  

The dam, the boat ramp, or the waterfront are great portrait locations.  Plan to shoot on a weeknight or in the off-season to avoid crowds.  It works better for senior photos or personal branding images; it’s not a place I’d recommend for family portraits in the summer, as crowds are hard to work around and the best locations are filled with campers.

Fees: $7 per vehicle for residents; $12 per vehicle for non-residents.  Overnight camping is extra.

Old Power Plant in Lingle

This is one of my all-time favorite places to explore and shoot because it’s just such a unique feature of Goshen County.  

Built during the 1920s, the land and structure are part of a decommissioned Bureau of Reclamation power plant.  It’s federal land, but open to the public.  The old plant itself has been fenced off, and entering it is considered trespassing (new signs and fences around the building are very clear about that).  But it’s still an iconic background any GoCo grad will instantly recognize!

So while the old plant is off-limits, the surrounding area is still a great spot!  There are trees and lots of tall grass near the structure, The old concrete pile is so unique that no two pictures there ever look the same.  And if you head up the hill away from the river, there are some cedar trees and shady spots for a completely different vibe.

Pioneer Park North Platte River Access

One of the most easily accessible spots of the North Platte River in Torrington is at the southwest corner of Pioneer park.  There are several mature trees, a short path to the river, and a fun bridge to use.  

This is a great spot if you want something that doesn’t have a walk and is easy to find.  This isn’t a big area, so we can’t get a lot of variety.  It can also be crowded with locals playing in the river or doing some fishing.  But for short sessions or child-only sessions, you can’t beat the location.

Rawhide Wildlife Habitat Management Unit

Rawhide Wildlife Habitat Management Unit is public land owned and maintained by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.  It’s a long, skinny piece of land that follows the North Platte River near Lingle.  Rawhide is one of my favorite places because it has a well-marked path to follow, lots of shade, fun logs/trees to use for sitting, and some open areas for bigger vistas.  There’s also a beautiful, modern bridge we can incorporate into photos and some hidden spots if you’re willing to take a bit of a walk.

Rawhide can be buggy in the summer (mosquitos, ticks, etc.) and is someplace you might see snakes.  It also has a fair bit of cactus in parts, so kids need to stay on the path and have closed-toed shoes.

Hunting is allowed on Rawhide, so in the fall, you may hear gunshots or see people hunting/sighting in rifles.  It’s also a popular spot for photographers in the area.

Springer Wildlife Habitat Management Unit

Located about halfway between Hawk Springs and Yoder, Springer/Bump Sulivan Wildlife Habitat Management Unit is another parcel of public land owned by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.  With more than 3,000 acres of habitat, there are lots of cool spots to take photos!  Much of the unit is closed to vehicles, however, so accessing the best parts of it is about a 15-minute walk.  But if you’re up for a slight adventure, you won’t be disappointed.

This unit also has access to Springer Reservoir and Bump Sullivan Reservoir (vehicle access Memorial Day through October 1 only).  If you want a waterfront/beach look, both can be great locations when full.  They are popular spots for weekend camping in the summer, so if you want a more private experience, plan for us to shoot mid-week.

Springer is incredibly busy during pheasant hunting season, so don’t plan any sessions until after 4 p.m. mid-October to mid-November.

St. Rose Flower Gardens

The good people at St. Rose Catholic Church are the caretakers of one of my favorite hidden jewels of Goshen County.   Even if you don’t want pictures taken there, it’s well worth a stroll through the gardens in late spring and summer!  Put your nose in some peony or spend a few minutes thanking our creator for such beautiful surroundings.

The garden is never planted the same way twice, so photos there look different from season to season.  It’s not a large lot, so it works better for senior sessions or headshots!

Table Mountain Wildlife Habitat Management Unit

Table Mountain Wildlife Habitat Management Unit is a Game and Fish property located just east of Huntley, Wyoming.  It’s a mixture of Game and Fish and Bureau of Reclamation land but is open to the public.  Most of the unit is not accessible by vehicle, so come prepared to walk!  

Table, as we affectionately call it in our house, has lots of water.  You’ll see geese, ducks, cranes, and lots of songbirds when you go.  We might also see snakes in the summer. 🙁 

Table is very wide open with few trees for shade.  It’s not my favorite location to use, but is an option in the right weather.  It’s the perfect backdrop for an outdoor-themed senior session or a quick family session if you’re tired of the same old places.

Table Mountain Vineyards & Winery

Home to Wyoming’s first winery, Table Mountain Vineyards and Winery! This grape farm is the result of one UW student’s senior thesis. It’s a family owned, private facility.  You must have permission to shoot there!

The vineyards are stunning in the summer, with rows and rows of beautiful green vines and growing grapes.  An iron gazebo, benches, and other landscape features complement a senior session well.  I love it for seniors with more glam outfits!  

Table Mountain Vineyards sits adjacent to Horse Creek outside of Huntley, Wyoming.  It has beautiful views of Table Mountain, a fun old farmhouse to use for exterior shots, and plenty of creek to play in. Sometimes we get lucky and there’s a gorgeous moon out to share the last few minutes of our session!

Torrington Baseball/Softball Fields

Does your family spend summer nights at the ballfields? Then why not go all in and have some family or pictures taken there, too?

Choose from Dean Bullock field or the Little League fields by the hospital or the Tigers’ or softball fields by the swimming pool. You’ll have the best seat in the house for all your pictures, whether it’s group shots in the outfield or close-ups in the dugout or bleachers.

The ballfields are jam-packed most weeknights during Little League season mid-May to mid-July. Plan for a weekend session during those months, or wait until August when most baseball has wound down.

Best places for portraits close to Goshen County

Sometimes you want a look or vibe that Goshen County just can’t offer. Here’s a list of some other great portrait locations if you’re up for a drive!

Laramie Range Mountains

Be still my heart – mountains!!! It takes a bit of work to get there, but some of the most beautiful views to be had are in the mountains of the Laramie Range. Get into the national forest for a completely different look than the lowlands of Goshen County. There are pine trees, mountain vistas, creeks, ponds, and the smell of the mountains…AHHHHHH!

There are a few different spots I’ve shot in these mountains, but all require about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Torrington. The easily accessible places are all private land, so it’s more work to get to the big swaths of national forest.

But if family or friends have a cabin in the area and you love spending your time in the mountains, this is a great backdrop for a session…or a wedding! Before choosing this as your location, though, let’s talk about some options and planning!

Guernsey State Park

An easy 30-minute drive from Torrington lands you at Guernsey State Park.  This jewel of a state park has 6,000 acres to explore by foot or by boat.  It’s a different landscape than we’re used to here in Goshen County.  In fact, I had clients choose this location because it reminded them of their west coast desert home instead of Wyoming farmland– sandy cliffs, rock outcroppings, and deeper canyons/cliffs.

The park’s centerpiece is Guernsey Reservoir, a huge body of water popular for boaters and waterskiers.  If water sports are your jam, this is an awesome location for pictures!  Just remember that the lake level is lowered beginning early July for irrigation, and boating/jetskis are usually not allowed until later in the summer.

The Castle (a picnic area and building) and the Guernsey Museum are great structures to use as a background for pictures too. The museum stands on a high cliff overlooking the water, and is built of these really cool timbers and flagstone.  It’s unlike any other structure in Wyoming.

If trees and beach are more your style, there’s plenty of that at Gurensey.  Let’s play in the sand and water or tuck in under the gorgeous cottonwoods.

Guernsey is incredibly popular and busy in the summer, and having a completely private experience from May to September isn’t going to happen.  Weekends are busier than weekdays, and holiday weekends are always crowded.  

Fees required: $7 per car for day use (Wyoming residents).  $12 per car for day use (Nonresidents).  Additional fees for camping. 

Glendo State Park

Glendo State Park, located in Platte County, is a little over an hour from Torrington.  It’s another state park featuring a huge reservoir popular for watersports and camping.

Glendo is an awesome spot for combining water, beach, and rugged mountain-esque photos in one session.  Take photos among the rocks and cedars, play at the water’s edge at sunset, or use the reservoir as a backdrop for more environmental images.  I’ve even take photos on a boat in the middle of the reservoir (you just have to provide the boat!).

Like Guernsey, Glendo is a busy spot every summer, with weekends in July being the busiest.  Aim for a weeknight session in August or September for the least crowds.

Fees required: $7 per car for day use (Wyoming residents).  $12 per car for day use (Nonresidents).  Additional fees for camping.   

Happy Jack Recreation Area

Happy Jack near Laramie looks her best in the fall, but is beautiful any time of year. Because of the altitude, it’s often a little cooler and the leaves change colors earlier in the fall. There are TONS of aspens (aspens make me swoon), rustic buck-and-rail fences, and open meadows with sweeping views.

Happy Jack is just a few minutes from Laramie, and is probably a good two hour drive from Goshen County. But you can’t beat the mountain vibe and it’s well worth the trip for any kind of session!

There’s an entrance fee to access this area.

Morrill Sand Pits

South of Morrill is the Morrill Sand Pits – a 25 acre “park” that has several ponds, beautiful cottonwoods, walking paths, picnic spots and lots of shade. It’s one of my favorite spots to meet Scottsbluff/Gering clients halfway, but it’s perfect for any senior or family session.

The area is pretty popular, so we might have to work around other photographers, but there’s enough space for everyone to enjoy the area. Come prepared with some bug spray and ready to do some walking.

North Platte National Wildlife Refuge – Stateline Island

Just over the state line into Nebraska from Torrington is a beautiful piece of land running along the North Platte River. It’s full of mature cottonwoods and gorgeous river views. It’s quiet and peaceful and usually very private. When I hike there, I often see deer, turkey and lots of other birds. The grass is usually pretty tall, there’s less cactus than other places and there is plenty of room to wander.

Bring your bug spray and shoes that are comfortable to walk in. It’s a big place and the best spots are tucked in a little ways off the parking area!

Scottsbluff National Monument

If iconic western Nebraska views are your thing, you can’t beat a session at the Scotts Bluff National Monument. It’s served as a landmark for people for centuries.

Let’s follow along one of the many trails in the area, or shoot from the top of the summit road. Scotts Bluff monument is also an AMAZING backdrop to photos from any direction. We can shoot “down low” with the bluffs in the background from lots of different directions. It’s a quintessential vista that will always remind you of home!

Be aware the Summit Road to the top is only open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., so summer sunset photos from the top aren’t on the agenda. In the winter, it’s breathtaking – literally. The winds can be incredibly chilly. Plan ahead and know your tolerance for less-than-ideal conditions.

Vedawoo Recreation Area and Curt Gowdy State Park

As a Cheyenne native and University of Wyoming grad – Vedawoo and Curt Gowdy are a long-time favorite. Vedawoo is located along Interstate 80, about 30 minutes west of Cheyenne. Curt Gowdy is sort of the other side of Vedawoo and accessible off of Happy Jack Road.

It’s a landscape like no other. Towers of 1.4 billion year-old Sherman Grantie towers await you, with other rocks and boulders sculpted by the elements. There are pine trees, ASPENS, foot paths, foot bridges, and more. It is beautiful any time of year, but it’s incredibly popular in the fall.

The best Vedawoo rock views are on the southern side, based out of the Vedawoo entrance. If lakes and water is more your style, Curt Gowdy has three reservoirs and a more traditional mountain feel. Both are iconic southeastern Wyoming, and require an entrance fee, payable by credit card as you enter.