📸 Top 10 Photo Stops Between Chicago and Seattle You Can’t Miss
A road trip from Chicago to Seattle is one of the most unforgettable drives in the United States. 🚗 You’ll cross thousands of miles and pass through a landscape that transforms from Midwestern skylines and prairie plains to jagged mountains, wild forests, and rugged Pacific coasts.
But here’s the thing: this isn’t a journey you want to rush. Some of the best memories — and most stunning photos — happen when you pull over, stretch your legs, and soak in the view.
This guide highlights the 10 best photo stops along the Chicago to Seattle route, all chosen from our detailed Chicago to Seattle RoadBook. Whether you’re snapping Instagram-worthy shots or printing postcards for your travel scrapbook, these stops deliver jaw-dropping scenery and unforgettable moments.
🚏 Table of Contents
- 📍 1. Millennium Park, Chicago (IL) – Classic City Kickoff
- 🏛️ 2. Wisconsin State Capitol, Madison (WI) – Dome with a View
- 🌉 3. Mississippi Riverfront, La Crosse (WI/MN Border) – River Reflections
- 💦 4. Falls Park, Sioux Falls (SD) – Urban Waterfall Magic
- 🏜️ 5. Badlands National Park (SD) – Otherworldly Landscapes
- 🗿 6. Mount Rushmore (SD) – An Iconic American Landmark
- 🪨 7. Devils Tower (WY) – A Monolith Rising from the Plains
- 🌋 8. Yellowstone National Park (WY/MT) – Nature’s Greatest Show
- 🏔️ 9. Mount Rainier National Park (WA) – A Mountain Icon
- 🌲 10. Olympic National Park (WA) – Wild Pacific Finale
- 📷 Road Trip Photography Tips
- 🏁 Final Thoughts
📍 1. Millennium Park, Chicago (IL) – Classic City Kickoff
There’s no better place to kick off your cross-country adventure than at Millennium Park, Chicago’s iconic downtown green space. The star of the show is Cloud Gate — aka “The Bean” — a massive, mirror-like sculpture that perfectly reflects the city skyline.
📸 Photo Tip: Visit early in the morning to capture reflections without crowds. If you’re there in the evening, the skyline lights up beautifully against the sculpture’s mirrored surface.
Other great nearby photo spots:
- Crown Fountain: Playful water feature with LED faces.
- Jay Pritzker Pavilion: A striking Frank Gehry-designed outdoor stage.
🏛️ 2. Wisconsin State Capitol, Madison (WI) – Dome with a View
Just a few hours into your trip, Madison offers a quick but memorable stop. The Wisconsin State Capitol is one of the most beautiful government buildings in the U.S., with a towering dome inspired by the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
📸 Photo Tip: Climb up to the observation deck (open seasonally) for panoramic shots of Madison’s lakes and skyline.
Bonus: The surrounding Capitol Square is full of cafés and markets — perfect for a coffee break and a few lifestyle shots.
🌉 3. Mississippi Riverfront, La Crosse (WI/MN Border) – River Reflections
A scenic detour brings you to La Crosse, a picturesque town on the banks of the Mississippi River. This is where the Midwest’s rolling plains give way to dramatic river bluffs and bridges.
📸 Photo Tip: Riverside Park is the top spot — visit at sunset for glowing reflections on the water and bridges framed by golden light.
💦 4. Falls Park, Sioux Falls (SD) – Urban Waterfall Magic
Right in the heart of Sioux Falls, you’ll find a natural wonder that feels worlds away from the city: Falls Park. The Big Sioux River cascades over pink quartzite rock, creating a series of small but dramatic waterfalls.
📸 Photo Tip: Shoot from the observation tower for the best panoramic view of the falls, especially during golden hour.
🏜️ 5. Badlands National Park (SD) – Otherworldly Landscapes
Driving west through South Dakota, the flat plains suddenly erupt into jagged rock formations and rainbow-colored cliffs — welcome to Badlands National Park.
📸 Photo Tip: Sunrise and sunset are magical here. The low light highlights the rock layers and adds depth to the landscape.
Must-stop photo points:
- Panorama Point: Wide vistas and dramatic skies.
- Notch Trail Viewpoint: Epic views after a short hike.
🗿 6. Mount Rushmore (SD) – An Iconic American Landmark
No Chicago-to-Seattle road trip is complete without a stop at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Carved into the Black Hills, the faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln are both monumental and photogenic.
📸 Photo Tip: Visit in the late afternoon when the faces are beautifully lit. For a unique angle, hike the Presidential Trail to get up-close perspectives framed by trees and rock.
🪨 7. Devils Tower (WY) – A Monolith Rising from the Plains
Cross into Wyoming and you’ll spot one of the most surreal sights on the route: Devils Tower, a towering volcanic monolith rising out of the prairie. It’s sacred to Indigenous tribes and a dream subject for landscape photographers.
📸 Photo Tip: Visit at sunset for glowing orange light on the tower, or return at night for spectacular Milky Way shots.
🌋 8. Yellowstone National Park (WY/MT) – Nature’s Greatest Show
No road trip across the northern U.S. is complete without at least a day in Yellowstone National Park. With geysers, waterfalls, hot springs, and abundant wildlife, it’s a photographer’s paradise.
📸 Photo Tip:
- Grand Prismatic Spring: Midday for the brightest colors.
- Old Faithful: Early morning or late evening for dramatic steam against colorful skies.
- Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: Sunrise for soft light and pastel canyon walls.
🏔️ 9. Mount Rainier National Park (WA) – A Mountain Icon
As you approach Seattle, Mount Rainier National Park offers an epic preview of the Pacific Northwest. This massive snow-capped volcano rises 14,410 feet and dominates the skyline.
📸 Top Photo Stops:
- Paradise: Wildflower meadows with Rainier as the backdrop.
- Reflection Lakes: Perfect mirrored shots of the mountain at sunrise.
- Sunrise Visitor Area: The highest point accessible by car, with panoramic views.
📸 Photo Tip: Arrive early in the day for the clearest views — the mountain often hides behind clouds in the afternoon.
🌲 10. Olympic National Park (WA) – Wild Pacific Finale
End your road trip with a bang at Olympic National Park, a wild, diverse wonderland on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. This is the perfect grand finale before rolling into Seattle.
📸 Top Photo Stops:
- Rialto Beach or Ruby Beach: Dramatic sea stacks and fiery sunsets.
- Hoh Rain Forest: Dreamy moss-draped trees straight out of a fairytale.
- Hurricane Ridge: Snow-capped Olympic Mountains rising above the clouds.
📸 Photo Tip: Stay for sunset on the coast or hike Hurricane Ridge at dawn for golden light over the mountains.
📷 Road Trip Photography Tips
- Golden hour is your friend: Early morning and late afternoon give you the best light.
- Bring a tripod: Essential for waterfalls, night shots, and low-light scenes.
- Use Google Maps pins: Save each stop in advance so you don’t miss any.
- Allow extra time: The best photos often happen when you don’t rush.
🏁 Final Thoughts
From Chicago’s skyline to the rugged Pacific coast, the route between these two cities is a bucket-list-worthy photo journey. Each stop tells a story — from the historic landscapes of Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone to the untamed wilderness of Glacier and Olympic National Parks.
Take your time, enjoy the detours, and remember: sometimes the best shots happen when you least expect them.
📥 FREE Chicago to Seattle Photo Guide (PDF)
Want to save these stops for the road? Download this blog post as a FREE Chicago to Seattle Photo Guide (PDF) so you can access it offline during your trip. Click here to grab it!
📚 Plan Your Trip with the Chicago to Seattle RoadBook
Ready to make this epic road trip happen? My Chicago to Seattle RoadBook includes full itineraries, hotel suggestions, activity links, and a Google Maps route with every stop pinned — so you can focus on the journey, not the planning. Get your RoadBook here.