Grab Your Phone: DeKalb Offers Great Places to Capture Nature Photos
Grab Your Phone: DeKalb Offers Great Places to Capture Nature Photos
Written By Rebecca Henderson
If you’re in DeKalb County with your phone in hand and a love for nature in your heart, you’re in for a real treat. This corner of the world is bursting with jaw-dropping scenery — all waiting to fill your camera roll.
Here are some stunning spots to snag nature photos with nothing more than your trusty smartphone!
Alabama Walking Park (Fort Payne)
Right inside Fort Payne on 5th Street NW, the Alabama Walking Park offers leafy trails, bridges over small creeks, and colorful seasonal blooms. It’s great for those “hidden nature in town” shots without needing a full day of travel.
Best Time: Spring for flowers, fall for colorful leaves.
Little River Canyon National Preserve
Whether you’re perched at the overlooks, chasing waterfalls, or hiking down to the riverbanks, Little River Canyon offers endless photo ops. The dramatic cliffs, crystal waters, and golden sunsets make even a casual snapshot look like it belongs in a magazine.
Pro Tip: Visit during fall for vibrant foliage, or after a rainstorm for roaring water!
DeSoto Falls is one of the tallest and most iconic waterfalls in Alabama. It’s easily accessible, which means you don’t need hiking boots — just your phone and a good eye. The light reflecting off the cascading water gives you built-in sparkle effects.
Photo Challenge: Capture the reflection of the falls in the still pool at its base for a mirror-like masterpiece.
In the quiet charm of Sylvania, DeKalb County Lake offers peaceful water views surrounded by lush greenery and gentle slopes. Whether you’re capturing the morning mist on the lake or the reflection of clouds in the water, it’s a go-to spot for serene, still photography.
Creative Idea: Snap a low-angle shot of a fishing dock just as the sun breaks through the trees — the light shimmering on the surface is magical.
Tucked away near Geraldine, High Falls offers a wide, dramatic waterfall and a cool natural bridge made of rock. With rushing water framed by lush greenery, this is the place to experiment with panoramic shots or dramatic slow-mo videos.
Secret Spot: Cross the bridge for a less crowded, unique angle of the falls.
Landscapes of Sand Mountain
With rolling hills and endless skies, Sand Mountain is one of the most scenic places for wide, open shots — especially during sunrise or sunset. Farms, barns, and country roads add character to your nature photos.
Creative Idea: Try using portrait mode on a weathered fence post with the golden fields stretching behind it for an artsy effect.
Phone Photography Tips for Your DeKalb Adventure
- Golden Hour is Your Best Friend: Aim for early morning or late afternoon lighting.
- Use the Grid: Turn on your camera grid for better composition.
- Clean Your Lens: Alabama’s dust and pollen are no joke — wipe your lens often!
- Experiment with Angles: Get low to the ground or shoot straight up through the trees for creative perspectives.
- Don’t Forget Video: Those waterfalls deserve to be captured in motion!
You might be a professional photographer, but if not, you can still capture DeKalb’s picturesque treasures without fancy gear. Just grab your phone and let nature do the heavy lifting.
