Discover Bell
29 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
2550 Overlook Drive
Located near Belton Lake, this overlook provides sweeping views of the water and surrounding limestone cliffs. It is a popular destination for portrait and engagement photography due to its elevated perspective and unobstructed western horizon, which creates ideal conditions for golden hour and sunset sessions. The mix of rugged Texas terrain and serene water views offers diverse compositional opportunities.
30.989182
This rural Texas location offers a serene and atmospheric setting for portraiture. The combination of mature trees, open fields, and historical elements like old cemeteries provides a moody backdrop. It is particularly effective during the golden hour when the low sun creates beautiful rim lighting and long shadows across the textured landscape.
5600 Stillhouse Hollow Dam Road
Stillhouse Hollow Dam overlooks Belton Lake offering concrete dam architecture, sweeping reservoir vistas, rippling water, and treed limestone banks. Shoot sunrise/sunset for warm side-light on the dam and reflections on calm water. Site is roadside with parking at the recreation area; check Corps of Engineers hours and seasonal boat traffic. Weekdays are quieter; summer afternoons can be hazy and windy.
3301 River Place Drive
Small riverfront/residential stretch with water vistas, shoreline, and suburban architecture — good for intimate landscape and waterscape studies, reflections, and sunrise/sunset colours. Easy roadside access and informal parking; best light at golden hour. Expect residential privacy—respect property and local traffic.
31.107088
A rural Texas crossroads and stretch of open land visible from the coordinates — ideal for minimalist landscapes, weather-driven skies, agricultural textures, and rustic roadside architecture (barns, fences, metal signs). Easy roadside access by car; parking is informal so use pullouts. Best light is golden hour and after storms when dramatic clouds form. Respect private property and seek permission for close-up shots of buildings or farmland.
31.176712
Stretch of central-Texas rural landscape with wide skies, long country roads, scattered farmsteads and windbreaks — strong for expansive landscape and cloudscape work. Visit at sunrise/sunset for dramatic light and long shadows; late-afternoon storms in spring produce dynamic skies. Accessible by paved county roads with limited facilities; respect private property and use roadside pullouts for parking. Summers are hot; bring water and sun protection.
2108 Creekwood Drive
A suburban residential scene in Killeen—best for capturing American suburban architecture, front-yard compositions and evening light. Accessible from public sidewalks and the street; do not enter private property without permission. Weekday mornings and golden hour offer soft light and low traffic. Street parking is typically available; watch for residential regulations. Not a tourist attraction but useful for practice in composition, light and color in a neighborhood setting.
Belton Lake
Belton Lake offers broad reservoir vistas, rocky bluffs, wooded shorelines and quiet coves—ideal for waterscape and nature photography. Sunrise and sunset produce dramatic reflections and colors; migratory birds and turtles frequent the shallows. Accessible via park boat ramps and picnic areas; parking available at Belton Lake Park. Weekday mornings are least crowded. Expect warm summers and mild winters; check local park hours and any boat launch fees.
Chalk Ridge Falls Park
Chalk Ridge Falls Park offers limestone bluffs, small cascading falls, creek pools and spring wildflowers — ideal for intimate waterscape and landscape shots. Best light is golden hour and after rains when cascades run fuller; spring brings color. Trails are moderate; park has a main parking lot and short hikes to overlooks. Weekday mornings are quieter. Bring insect protection and water; no special permits typically required for casual photography.
US Army Corps of Engineers - Stillhouse Hollow Lake
Stillhouse Hollow Lake offers wide water vistas, low shoreline rock formations, scattered trees and dramatic skies ideal for sunrise/sunset and long-exposure waterscapes. Accessible via multiple boat ramps and day-use parks (check USACE signage for fees/permits). Best at golden hour or after storms for vivid reflections; weekdays and early mornings reduce boat traffic. Be prepared for variable lake levels and insects in warmer months.
Stillhouse
Stillhouse Hollow area near Belton offers calm lake vistas, a low-profile dam, rocky shorelines and open skies perfect for reflections, minimalist compositions and long exposures. Best at sunrise and sunset for warm side lighting and mirrored water; weekdays and early mornings reduce boat traffic. Parking available at park lots; check local park hours and fees. Accessible shorelines and short trails make handheld or tripod shooting easy.
Stillhouse Park
Small lakeside park on Stillhouse Hollow Lake offering shoreline, oak groves, trails and open vistas — ideal for sunrise/sunset reflections, long-water exposures and intimate nature scenes. Visit golden hours for dramatic light; spring brings wildflowers, fall cooler temperatures. Park accessible from Simmons Rd with nearby parking at the entrance; trails vary from paved to dirt so plan footwear. No special permits for casual photography, weekdays and early mornings reduce crowds.
Union Grove Lane
Quaint rural lane framed by live oaks, cedar and farmland—classic central-Texas pastoral scenes with strong leading lines, dappled light and seasonal wildflowers (bluebonnets in spring). Best at golden hour (sunrise or sunset) for warm side-light and long shadows. Narrow country road with limited parking—use pullouts, respect private property. Weekdays or early mornings avoid traffic; light breeze helps animate tree canopies.
Camp Tahuaya: A Family Adventure Campground
Small family adventure campground set among oak savanna and lakeshore—shoot sunrise/sunset over water, campsites, playgrounds, rustic cabins and campfire scenes. Best at golden hour and after rain for reflections; clear nights offer starfields. Site has on-site parking and public access for registered guests—check reservations/visitation rules. Weekdays are quieter; spring and fall bring pleasant light and fewer bugs.
The Meadow
Open meadow and oak-lined fields offering wide vistas, seasonal wildflowers and rustic event structures—great for golden-hour landscapes, intimate portraits with Texas Hill Country character, and drone aerials. Visit spring for blooms or late afternoon for warm light. Likely a private/event venue—contact management for access, permit and drone rules. Street parking and gravel drives; expect uneven ground and ticks in warmer months.
Parking lot- Trail at Dana Peak
Small parking-lot access to a shoreline trail at Dana Peak offers lake reflections, rolling shoreline, scattered trees and open skies—good for sunrise/sunset color and minimalist landscapes. Trail is short and mostly flat, easy access from Shoreline Dr with a roadside lot and no fee. Best at golden hour for warm light and long shadows; weekdays and early mornings reduce walkers and anglers. Seasonal mosquitoes possible; bring polarizer for glare and neutral-density for smooth water.
Dana Peak Mountain Bike and Equestrian Trails
Rolling limestone ridges, winding singletrack and oak‑juniper woodlands make Dana Peak ideal for dynamic outdoor shots: riders on curved trails, close-ups of tack and textures, wildflower meadows in spring and golden light across the ridge at sunrise/sunset. Trails are public with parking at the MD‑30 trailhead; no fee. Best seasons are spring and fall (milder temperatures, blooms). Avoid midday heat; weekdays and early mornings are least crowded. Bring water, insect repellent, and check local (
Westcliff campground
Wooded campsites and limestone bluffs overlooking Belton Lake offer wide lake vistas, intimate campsite portraits, and dramatic sunrise/sunset color. Best light is golden hour from bluff viewpoints and soft blue-hour reflections on calm water. Accessible by car with parking at the campground; expect a small park fee or day-pass—confirm with Belton Lake Park/Army Corps. Weekdays and early mornings are least crowded. Seasonal foliage and migrating birds add variety.
Lake Office
Small lakeside spot near Belton, TX offering calm water reflections, shoreline vegetation and dock/boat-ramp features—good for sunrise/sunset color and birdlife. Best visited at golden hour for low-angle light and mirror reflections; weekday mornings are quieter. Accessibility is by car (parking at nearby pull-offs/ramps); check local signage for hours/boat access. Seasonal water levels and migrating birds add variety; bring insect repellent in warm months.
National Mounted Warrior Museum
Small but rich military museum on Fort Cavazos dedicated to the US Army cavalry and mounted warriors — exhibits include uniforms, saddles, weapons, dioramas and outdoor memorials. Photograph detailed artifacts, dramatic portraits of mannequins in period uniforms, exhibit lighting textures and the building’s exterior amid base landscapes. Visit weekday mornings for low crowds; golden hour for warm exterior light. Note base access: bring valid ID, expect vehicle inspection and a visitor pass; free
Eagle Nature Trail at Central Texas College
Small, accessible loop through mixed prairie, ponds and wooded edges on Central Texas College grounds — good for birding (raptors, waterfowl), wildflower and close-up nature shots. Best at sunrise/sunset or early morning for bird activity and soft light; spring and fall for migration and wildflowers. Trail is mostly flat and short, easy walking; free entry and campus parking nearby. Summer midday can be hot and buggy; bring water and sun protection.
Third Cavalry Museum
Small military museum on Fort Cavazos showcasing tanks, cavalry memorabilia and outdoor armor displays. Best for shooting strong silhouettes, textures and historical details. Visit weekday mornings or late afternoon for softer light and fewer visitors; golden hour creates dramatic rim light on vehicles. Base access requires valid ID and passing the visitor center—confirm guest policies before travel. Free parking nearby; interiors can be dim, so plan for low-light gear. The site honors cavalry/
Union Grove Campground
Wooded campground along the Lampasas/Brushy Creek corridor offering river reflections, oak/pine groves, campsites and dark-sky potential. Shoot river textures, campsite scenes with firelight, and starfields. Best at golden hour and blue hour for warm light and reflections; new-moon nights for Milky Way. Site is drive-in with parking at each loop; check gate hours and any day-use fees. Weekdays and shoulder seasons mean fewer campers; bring mosquito protection and a tripod.
Union Grove Park
Union Grove Park is a small, shady riverside park ideal for intimate nature and landscape shots: mature live oaks, a meandering creek, footbridges and picnic areas. Visit at golden hour for warm side light through branches; weekday mornings offer quiet scenes and bird activity. Easy roadside parking and level paths make gear logistics simple — no permits for casual photography. Expect Texans’ park signage and local weekend visitors; watch for wet ground after rains.
Oakmont Park
Oakmont Park in Belton is a small community park with mature shade trees, walking paths and ponds that offer calm reflections — good for intimate nature, portrait and landscape shots. Best visited at golden hour (sunrise or late afternoon) for warm side-light through trees and glassy water reflections. Park is publicly accessible with on-site parking; no entry fee. Weekday mornings are quieter; expect families and dog-walkers on weekends. Light seasonal changes add color — spring blooms and fall
WESTCLIFF PARK
Westcliff Park offers local hilltop vistas, scattered live oaks and open grass slopes that frame sunrise and sunset over central Texas plains. Easy roadside access and informal parking make it practical for short shoots; no entry fee. Best light is hour around golden hour; weekdays and early mornings are least crowded. Expect warm, dry conditions—carry water and sun protection.
RV Spot Union Grove Park
Small RV camping area in rural Salado offering wide Texas skies, pastoral roads, mature trees and seasonal wildflowers — good for golden-hour landscapes, intimate campsite details and RV lifestyle shots. Easy vehicle access and dedicated parking for rigs; quietest at weekday dawn or dusk. Expect warm light at sunrise/sunset; check park access rules and reservation requirements for overnight stays.
Dana Peak Park - Grill & Picnic Area
Small hilltop park with shaded picnic shelters, grills and open grassy areas framed by live oaks — good for environmental portraits, family lifestyle scenes, and simple landscape comps at golden hour. Easy roadside access and free parking; no permit usually required. Visit sunrise or sunset for warm sidelighting and long shadows; weekdays and early mornings avoid family crowds. Summer afternoons can be harsh; storms bring dramatic skies.
Sadowski Parade Field
A large, open parade field at Fort Cavazos offering strong geometric compositions, marching formations during ceremonies, and expansive skies. Best shot at golden hour or during official events (change of command, parades). Access is on-post only—photographers need a valid military ID or visitor pass from the Visitor Control Center; check base rules and equipment screening. Parking available nearby at support facilities; drone use is prohibited without authorization.