Discover Longview
36 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
3323 Gilmer Road
A stretch of Gilmer Road in Longview offers everyday American roadside scenes—strip-mall façades, neon signs, diners, service stations and mature street trees. Good for practicing urban/street composition, capturing reflective windows at golden hour, and isolating architectural details. Easily accessible by car with roadside parking at businesses (respect private property). Best at sunrise or late afternoon for warm side-lighting and long shadows; weekdays are quieter. No special entry permits,但
Paul Boorman Trail Park
A paved, tree-lined linear park with shaded canopies, creek crossings and occasional deer — ideal for intimate landscape, creek reflections and casual wildlife shots. Easy flat access and roadside parking at 919 W Marshall Ave; trail is paved and wheelchair-friendly. Best at golden hour for warm side-light through trees or after light rain for stream reflections. Weekday mornings are quiet; watch for cyclists and runners.
Paul Boorman Loop 281 Trailhead
Wooded loop trail with oak-pine forest, creek crossings and open clearings—good for serene nature and trail portraits, seasonal color and water reflections. No entry fee; parking at Summers Dr but can fill at peak times. Restrooms ~1.5 mi downtrail. Dog-friendly (expect dogs and occasional mess after rains). Best light at sunrise/sunset; weekdays reduce crowds.
Ward Park
Small urban park centered on a calm lake with a pier, walking trails, mature trees and open lawns—great for reflective waterscapes, intimate landscape compositions, and casual wildlife (ducks) shots. Easy access from Julieanna Dr with free parking and paved paths; park is wheelchair-friendly. Visit at golden hour or early morning for soft light and possible mist over the water; weekdays are quieter. No entry fee; expect families and dog-walkers midday.
Arcade
Small, retro arcade with neon machines, ticket dispensers and candid moments—great for portraits, close-ups of vintage controls and ticket rolls, and atmospheric low-light scenes. Best visited early evening or weekday nights for active play without heavy crowds; afternoons on weekends for family shots. Lighting is mixed neon/LED—use fast glass and higher ISO. Street parking at the strip-mall; no special entry requirements. Community-friendly vibe makes candid shots approachable—ask before close‑
Cargill Long Park
Paved woodland trail with soft rolling hills, shaded oaks and pines, small streams and occasional neighborhood gateways. Great for trail, landscape and nature shots—wildlife (squirrels, songbirds) and intimate water details. Accessible parking and restrooms at 4th St; pets and bikes allowed. Best at sunrise or golden hour for warm light and low crowds; weekday mornings ideal.
Panther Park
Small urban park with mature trees, open lawns, a pond and walking trails — good for intimate landscape, waterscape and casual wildlife shots. Best at golden hour for warm light through oak canopies and calm reflections on the pond. Accessible by car with on-site parking; no entry fee. Weekday mornings are quieter; spring and fall offer best foliage and migratory birds. Trails and picnic areas make handheld and tripod shooting easy.
City of Longview Parks and Recreation
Use the Parks & Recreation office as a base to explore Longview’s network of parks and miles of walking trails through East Texas piney woods, small fishing ponds, veteran memorials, and family activity areas. Best at golden hour or spring/fall when foliage and wildflowers pop; weekday mornings are quieter. Most parks have free parking, easy paths and picnic pavilions; expect typical municipal rules and occasional community events or solicitors. Accessible trails vary by park—check park-specific
Ingram Park
Small urban park featuring a busy skateplex, public pool with kid-friendly features, playground, 9‑hole disc golf and walking paths. Great for action and lifestyle shots of skateboarders, family scenes at the pool, and casual sports events. Best light: golden hour for warm portraits and rim light on skaters; overcast for even action shots. Weekday mornings are quieter; weekends bring events and crowds. Free parking on-site, ADA paths, no entry fee. Respect locals and ongoing repairs; check pool/
Belcher Center
Modern 2,000-seat performing arts center on LeTourneau University campus. Photograph polished interiors (auditorium lines, stage lighting, balconies), performers during events, and the building’s lit exterior at dusk. Best visits: arrive before performances for empty-seat compositions or at golden hour for warm exterior light; evenings showcase signage and stage color. Accessible parking on campus; elevator is small—allow time. Secure permissions for flash or tripods during events.
Teague Park
Small 30-acre city park with a fountain pond, fishing piers, trails, playgrounds and a Veterans Memorial Plaza. Offers calm waterscapes, landscaped beds and memorial statuary — good for intimate landscapes, portrait sessions and detail shots. Best light at sunrise or golden hour; weekdays and early mornings reduce crowds. Park is accessible with free parking and restrooms; watch for seasonal fishing activity and occasional transient presence.
Paul Boorman Trail Highway 80 Trailhead
Paved multi-use trail winding through mature trees, exercise stations and small park features — great for intimate nature, environmental portraits and leading-line compositions. Easy parking and restrooms at the Highway 80 trailhead; dog park and Little Free Library add local color. Best at golden hour or overcast midday for even light; avoid after dark (little lighting). Weekday mornings are quieter.
Guthrie Park
Small multi-use city park with wooded trails, Guthrie Creek, open fairways for disc golf, picnic shelters, playground/water-play area and new courts. Best for intimate nature and recreational action shots. Visit at golden hour for warm light on creek and tree tunnels; weekday mornings or late afternoons avoid crowds. Easy street parking, free entry, paved trails and clean restrooms improve accessibility.
Lois Jackson Park
Small, well-kept community park with wooded trails, grassy lawns, playgrounds and pavilions — good for intimate nature, family and trail photos. Visit early morning or golden hour for soft light and fewer visitors. Accessible paths, limited parking (~50 spaces), no entry fee. Weekdays are least crowded; bring insect repellent in warm months.
Julieanna Park
Small community park with mature trees, open lawns and a creekside path—good for intimate nature scenes, seasonal foliage, birdlife and relaxed landscape compositions. Best at golden hour or after rain for reflections and saturated colors. Easily accessible by car with roadside parking; flat terrain and short trails make gear transport simple. Weekday mornings have few visitors; respect locals and keep to marked paths.
McWhorter Park
Small city park with ponds, mature trees, walking trails and open lawns—good for water reflections, woodland compositions and casual wildlife (ducks, songbirds). Visit golden hour for warm light on the water and long shadows through the trees; weekday mornings have the fewest people. On-site parking off Toler Rd; trails are mostly flat and easy to walk with gear. No entry fee; expect seasonal changes (spring foliage, migratory birds in winter).
Rotary Park
Small family-oriented park with a dolphin fountain, splash area, playground, disc golf and connection to the Guthrie Trail. Good for candid play portraits, intimate water/fountain details and wide shots of shaded picnic areas. Free entry and onsite parking; restrooms available. Visit early weekday mornings for soft light and low crowds, or golden hour for warm backlight on the fountain. Summer brings active splash play; many features are wheelchair-accessible.
Spring Hill Park
Small neighborhood park on a gentle hill offering open-sky vistas, mature trees and seasonal wildflowers — good for landscape and nature shots, golden-hour panoramas and intimate tree/macrophotography. Easy on-site parking and no entry fee; wheelchair-accessible paths in parts. Best at sunrise or sunset for warm side-light and long shadows; weekdays or early mornings avoid families and sports crowds. Spring and fall offer the best color and blooms.
Nightmare on Mobberly
Seasonal haunted attraction with immersive sets, costumed actors, and moody exterior signage—ideal for atmospheric low-light and environmental portrait shots. Best visited during evening event nights when effects and lighting are active; weekdays or early showtimes reduce crowds. Expect low light, strobes, fog and tight interiors; check entry rules (photo restrictions vary) and get permission from staff before shooting actors. On-site parking available; located on a busy avenue so watch traffic.
Hinsley Park
Small, forested city park with shaded trails, disc-golf baskets, a ball field, playgrounds and picnic shelters. Best for intimate nature and community-scene shots: canopy light, dappled trails, and contrast between open fields and tree-lined corridors. Visit early morning or late afternoon for soft side light and low crowds; weekdays are quietest. On-site parking and flat paths make gear easy to carry. Note occasional safety concerns after dark—plan daytime shoots only.
Flewellen Park
Small, tidy city park with open grassy fields, a short walking trail and a covered picnic table—good for low-key landscape, trail and local wildlife shots (hawks reported). Visit at golden hour for warm light on the grass and long shadows; weekday mornings offer quiet scenes and active bird behavior. Free entry with street parking; trails are compact and mostly flat—bring a telephoto for raptors and a wide angle for field+sky compositions.
Patterson Park
Small community park beneath tall pine trees with a shaded playground, covered picnic shelter, basketball court and section of the Cargill walking trail. Good for intimate nature, family and lifestyle shots; pine canopies create textured backdrops and dappled light. Accessible with free parking and restrooms; no entry fee. Visit early morning or late afternoon for warm light and fewer families; overcast days soften shadows for portraits.
South Ward Community Park
Small community park with a running track, playgrounds and open lawns flanked by mature trees — good for environmental portraits, kids/family action, and simple landscape frames. Free public access with parking along Mobberly Ave; wheelchair-accessible paths in parts. Best light: golden hour (sunrise or sunset) for warm side-light on trees and play structures; weekday mornings are quiet. Expect local community use — respectful, candid shots work well.
Broughton Park
Small community park with a remodeled splash pad, playground, basketball courts, ballfield, lighted walking trail and adjacent recreation center. Strong for candid family and activity shots, splash-motion studies, and low-angle path/leading-line compositions. Best light: golden hour (sunrise/sunset) for warm side-light on trees and splash water; weekday mornings are quieter. Public entry with parking and clean restrooms; busy on weekends and during community events like Juneteenth.
Akin Park
Small, tree-shaded neighborhood park with playgrounds, covered picnic tables and short paved trails—ideal for intimate family and lifestyle shots, candid child portraits, and green-canopy compositions. Visit late afternoon or golden hour for warm side-light and long shadows; overcast days work for soft, even light. Park is compact with limited parking (street parking nearby); no formal entry fee. Weekdays or early mornings reduce crowds. Respect privacy of families and children.
LETU Softball field
A compact college softball diamond on LETU campus — good for action sports, candid fan shots, stadium-light night scenes and low-angle compositions using the pitcher's mound, dugouts and scoreboard. Easiest access via campus roads with nearby parking on game days; check campus event schedule for games. Best light at golden hour or under floodlights for dynamic contrast. Note campus rules and request permission for drone use; weekdays off-season are quiet for practice shots.
Rollins Park
Small residential park with a new playground, colorful basketball court, pavilion and open field — good for candid family shots, playground detail studies, and abstract compositions of court colors and paths. Best at golden hour or late afternoon for warmer light and softer shadows; weekday mornings avoid crowds. Easy street parking, free entry, no restrooms; expect summer heat and local families using the space.
Willow Park
Small city park beside a creek with a covered pavilion, playground, open lawns and basic gym equipment. Best for intimate nature and community scenes: creek reflections, kids at play, picnic setups and quiet landscape frames. Visit at golden hour or overcast for soft light; weekday mornings are least crowded. Street parking on E Birdsong St, no entry fee, generally family-friendly though occasional litter near courts—be discreet and respectful of locals.
R.G. LeTourneau Museum
Photograph the museum’s industrial-modern exterior, campus context and any remaining LeTourneau-era equipment or plaques. Golden hour brings warm tones to brick and metal; interiors may be closed or repurposed—call ahead. On LeTourneau University campus with nearby parking; accessibility varies, so verify hours and permissions. Good for architectural lines, industrial details, and contextual campus shots rather than extensive machine exhibits.
Lazer X In Longview
Indoor family entertainment center with laser-tag arena and retro arcade — strong neon, fog, and dynamic action shots. Best visited during off-peak weekday afternoons or early evenings for empty lanes and easier access. Lighting is low and colored; ask staff for permission to shoot, expect free on-site parking and casual dress. Great for capturing motion, candid expressions, and atmospheric wide shots of the arena.
Texas Historical Marker #10002 “Wartime Home Industry”
Small roadside Texas Historical Marker commemorating local wartime home industry. Photograph the engraved plaque, nearby contextual elements (period buildings, streetscape, mature trees) and signage. Best visited early morning or late afternoon for warm side-light and minimal traffic. Street parking along Gilmer Rd; marker is easily accessible on foot. No entry fee. Respect private property; keep shots from public right-of-way. Good for historical detail studies and environmental portraits tying