Discover Renton
23 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
910 North 10th Place
A quiet residential/urban block in north Renton offering everyday street and small‑scale architecture opportunities: house facades, front‑yard details, cul‑de‑sac compositions and neighborhood light. Practical: accessible by car or transit from downtown Renton; street parking is usually available. Best at golden hour for warm light on siding and long shadows; weekday mornings are least busy. No special entry permits for public sidewalks; respect private property.
Cedar River Park
Cedar River Park offers river-channeled landscapes, riffles, riverbank forest and wetlands—good for long-exposure riverscapes, birdlife and seasonal color. Visit at golden hour for warm side-light and reflections; spring/fall for migrating birds and salmon activity. Easy roadside parking at the Maple Valley Hwy trailhead, paved trails and boardwalks make much of the park accessible; no entry fee. Respect wildlife and stay on paths to protect sensitive habitat.
Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park
Shoreline park on Lake Washington offering broad water views, a fishing pier, wetlands and walking paths — great for lake reflections, boats, migratory birds and dramatic sunrises/sunsets. Free public park with lots of parking, paved accessible paths and restrooms. Best at golden hour or early weekday mornings for low crowds; occasional fog or rain adds mood. Community events can add local color.
Gene Coulon Bird Island
Small island and shoreline in Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park offering close views of waterfowl, herons and migratory birds against Lake Washington backdrops. Best at golden hour or early morning for low light, glassy reflections and active birds; weekdays and early season migrations are quietest. Easily accessible via paved paths with free park parking; no entry fee. Respect wildlife-distance rules and leash laws. Excellent for intimate bird portraits and lakescape compositions with distant rid
The Lake wildlife area
Small freshwater wildlife area with marshes, reed beds and open water — rich for bird and wetland photography, reflections and intimate nature scenes. Best at sunrise and golden hour for soft light and mirror-like water; spring and fall bring migrants and more species. Accessible trails and small parking areas make short hikes possible; expect uneven boardwalks and seasonal mud/mosquitoes. No special permits for casual photography; bring insect repellent and waterproof shoes.
Cascade Park
Cascade Park (Renton) offers mossy riverbanks, small cascades on the Cedar River, forested trails and a historic pedestrian/rail bridge—ideal for intimate water-and-forest compositions. Visit at golden hour or after rain for saturated greens and flowing water. Easy access with free parking and paved paths; mostly family-friendly and no entry fee. Weekdays or early mornings minimize walkers and dog traffic.
Ron Regis Park
Small waterfront park on Lake Washington offering shoreline compositions, pilings and reflections with views toward Renton and occasional downtown/skyline glimpses. Easy roadside parking at the lot (1501 Orcas Ave SE); no fee and wheelchair-accessible paths. Best at golden hour and into blue hour for long exposures; weekday mornings are quieter. Expect local dog walkers and waterfowl—good for intimate landscapes and waterscape studies.
Riverview Park
Riverview Park sits along the Cedar River offering wooded trails, river rapids, and elevated viewpoints — ideal for intimate riverscape and forest photography. Best at golden hour and after rain when water flow and foliage pop. Easy parking at the trailhead off Maple Valley Hwy; mostly free, informal access with a mix of paved and dirt trails. Weekday mornings are quieter. Seasonal foliage and overcast Pacific Northwest light create moody scenes.
Kennydale Beach Park
Small lakeside park on Lake Washington offering shoreline, a modest pier, and clear sightlines across the water to Bellevue/Seattle — good for sunset reflections, city-skyline silhouettes and occasional Mount Rainier vistas. No entry fee; small parking lot and street parking (can fill on weekends). Accessible paths and easy walk-in locations. Best at golden hour and blue hour for warm light and city lights; weekday mornings are quieter. Weather: seasonal rain in winter, clearer visibility in dry
Jones Park
Small lakeside park on the southeast shore of Lake Washington offering shoreline compositions, boat traffic, reflections, distant city and mountain views on clear days. Easy access with street parking and paved paths; no entry fee. Best light is golden hour at sunrise for calm water and at sunset for warm backlight on trees and docks. Weekday mornings are quieter; expect changing weather—carry rain protection.
Kiwanis Park
Small waterfront park on Renton’s lakeshore offering clean vistas of the water, shoreline vegetation, boat traffic and distant hills—good for sunrise color, reflection shots and intimate nature details. Easy access with a small parking area, paved paths and no entry fee. Visit at golden hour or weekday mornings for calm water and fewer people; spring–summer for migratory birds, winter for dramatic skies.
Heritage Park
Small, historic urban park ideal for intimate landscape and environmental portrait work—mature trees, manicured lawns, walking paths and historic markers provide varied foregrounds and context. Best light is golden hour and overcast afternoons for even tones; weekday mornings are least crowded. Easy street parking nearby and paved paths make gear access simple; check local event schedules for festivals or closures.
Renton Park
Renton Park is a small, accessible suburban green space with open lawns, mature trees, walking paths and a pond area—good for intimate landscapes, seasonal foliage, birdlife and calm water reflections. No entry fee; small on-site parking and street parking. Best light is golden hour (sunrise or late afternoon) for warm tones and long shadows; weekday mornings are quiet. Trails and paved paths make it easy to move gear; expect typical Pacific Northwest weather—bring rain protection and layers.
Glencoe Park
Small neighborhood park with mature trees, open lawns, walking paths and creek-side pockets offering intimate landscape and nature shots. Best at golden hour or dusk for warm light and long shadows; weekdays or early mornings reduce families and dog-walkers. No entry fee; limited on-site parking and street parking on NE 24th. Accessible paved paths in parts — bring waterproof shoes for creek edges. Great for seasonal foliage and quiet compositions close to suburban Renton.
Highbury Park
Highbury Park is a compact neighborhood green space with mature trees, open lawns and walking paths—ideal for intimate landscape and nature shots, seasonal foliage, and environmental portraits. Easy access from Ferndale Ave NE with limited on-street parking; no entry fee. Best light is golden hour at sunrise or late afternoon; weekdays are quieter. The park’s small scale makes it good for close compositions and practicing depth with foreground elements.
Liberty Ridge Lookout Bench
Small roadside lookout with a lone bench overlooking Renton valley and distant Cascade peaks on clear days. Best at sunrise or golden-hour sunset for warm light and layered atmosphere; clear winter mornings yield crisp mountain silhouettes. Easily accessible from SE 4th St with limited street parking and a short level approach—good for quick shoots or tripod setups. Weekdays are quieter; no entry fees.
Tiffany Park
Small suburban park near Lake Youngs offering open meadows, mixed woods and a pond that produce reflections, seasonal wildflowers and local waterfowl. Best light is early morning or late afternoon for golden-hour warmth and calm water; weekday mornings have fewer people. Easy street or small lot parking, no entry fee; mostly flat, accessible trails—good for quick shoots or scouting for longer landscape/wildlife sessions.
Maplewood Roadside Park
Small roadside park with mature maples and mixed forest offering intimate nature scenes, seasonal fall color, and simple compositions of trunks, leaves and picnic areas. Easy pull-in parking off Maple Valley Hwy; short trails and lawn areas make it accessible for quick stops. Best at golden hour or overcast days for even light; visit weekdays or mornings to avoid traffic noise and visitors.
Sun Dial Statue
Small public sundial sculpture offering strong graphic lines and sculptural form. Best photographed in direct sun when the gnomon's shadow creates dynamic shapes; golden hour adds warmth and long shadows for mood. Easily accessible from the street with free on-street or nearby lot parking; no entry fee. Weekdays and mornings have fewer visitors. Respect local pedestrians—it's a civic artwork, not a private installation.
Sunset Neighborhood Park
Small neighborhood park offering open lawns, a playground and unobstructed western views—good for low-sun portraits, silhouette shots and sunset color over suburban treelines. Easy, free access from Sunset Ln NE with street parking; flat, wheelchair‑friendly pathways. Best at golden hour and blue hour; weekdays avoid families and sports. No entry fee; respect residential quiet.
Philip Arnold Park
Small neighborhood park with mature trees, open lawns, playground and picnic areas—good for intimate urban-nature shots, family and lifestyle candids, and seasonal foliage. Visit at golden hour or overcast afternoons for soft light. Easy street parking and no entry fee; paved paths are wheelchair-friendly. Weekday mornings are quieter. A community spot that rewards close-up details and environmental portraits rather than wide epic vistas.
Jimi Hendrix Memorial
Small outdoor memorial honoring Jimi Hendrix with statue, plaques and landscaped setting — good for portrait-style shots, detail textures (bronze, inscriptions) and contextual environmental frames. Visit golden hour or overcast days for soft light; weekday mornings are quiet. Site is public, free, wheelchair-accessible; limited street parking nearby. Cultural interest for music fans and local history; compact footprint means quick visits work well.
Maplewood Roadside Park
Small roadside park with mature maples, lawns and benches — good for intimate landscape and seasonal color studies (especially fall). Easy roadside parking, no entry fee; visit at golden hour or overcast for saturated foliage. Weekdays are quieter; compact size means short walks and accessible paths.