How to Catch and Photograph an Iconic Tucson Sunset
Just like the saguaro cactus, red rock formations, and starry night skies, the bright orange and pink sunsets are an icon of Arizona. And your visit to Tucson wouldn't be complete without soaking up some of the most colorful sunsets in the nation. That’s right, Arizona boasts some of the most spectacular sunsets in the US, so you don’t want to miss them! Today, we’re sharing how and where to catch them and how to capture them in an Insta-worthy photo.
Why are Arizona’s sunsets exceptionally colorful?
If you’ve ever experienced a sunset in Tucson, you know it’s true. They’re unbeatable—rich orange, red, purple, and pink hues blanket the sky. Add a saguaro into the foreground, and you’ve got a postcard. So, why all the colors? It has to do with particles in the air. Because Arizona is typically very arid, with a dusty desert landscape, there is often quite a lot of dust floating through the air. This causes some lighter colors (like blue and turquoise) to be filtered out, leaving behind the more intense shades of red, orange, and pink. But don’t worry about breathing the dusty air. The dust particles responsible for the evening show are likely hundreds of miles to the west, in the open desert land of western Arizona and even southeastern California.
Best Places for a Great Sunset View
Gates Pass - At over 3,000 feet in elevation, this peak is one of the best spots in Tucson for panoramic sunset views. The road is paved all the way up, so drive until you find a lookout point you love and get ready for the show.
Windy Point - You might need an entire afternoon to take advantage of this one, but trust us, it’s worth the trip. Drive up the paved National Forest byway up the Santa Catalina mountains toward Mt Lemmon. About halfway to the top, you’ll find Windy Point, with incredible views of the entire Tucson valley.
Saguaro National Park West - If you’re in the mood for an evening hike, we recommend adventuring through the eastern section of Saguaro National Park. You’ll quickly find yourself in some of the thickest saguaro cactus forests in the world, making perfect subjects in your sunset photos. Make sure to bring a flashlight for this one!
Grotto Hill Mission San Xavier del Bac - Only 9 miles outside of Tucson, this is a must-see. Go early and explore the 250+-year-old church, which closes at 5:00 pm. Then hike the quarter mile up Grotto Hill for an unbeatable sunset view.
Need a quick sunset view close to our vacation rentals? From the intersection at Oracle Rd and Magee Rd, head East on Magee and you’ll quickly climb the side of the mountain. There will be several spots where you can pull to the side on this quiet section of residential road.
Tips for Getting a Great Sunset Photo
Know when the sun is setting and start early. The window for beautiful sunset photos closes quickly, so you’ll want to start your adventure with plenty of time to spare. Make sure you arrive at your destination before the sun dips below the horizon so that you can make sure to capture the whole show. Also, much of the color happens just after the sun actually sets, so don’t leave too early.
Pay attention to the skies during the day. Wispy clouds in the afternoon are a significant clue that you’re in for a magical sunset.
Play with different exposures. If you’re using a DSLR camera, take it out of Auto mode and play with the exposure settings. Changing the shutter speed, ISO, and aperture can affect the outcome differently. You’ll likely want a darker exposed image than you may be used to. If you’re using your phone, tap the area of the sky on your preview screen, which will allow for the best exposure of the sky rather than the foreground.
Use the rule of thirds. The rule of thirds suggests positioning your camera frame so that sections of your image only take up one-third of the entire shot. If you have mountains and sky, you will frame it so the mountains comprise one-third, and the sky consists of two-thirds. The rule of thirds also states to place important subjects on imaginary lines through the image that divide the image in thirds, either horizontally or vertically. So, if you have a saguaro cactus in your foreground, place it on the side of the image, about where a one-third dividing line would be.
Bring a tripod. Tripods are always a good idea, especially when shooting in low-light situations, like at sunset, and this will allow for a crisper shot and less motion blur.
Cell phones take great photos too! You don’t have to bring a special camera to enjoy taking an incredible sunset photo. The composition rules are the same with a phone camera as with a digital camera. And as a bonus, your phone camera will automatically decide on exposure and length of time needed to capture the image, so you can enjoy the view!
If you’re hiking to your sunset spot, remember that you will return in the dark and will likely want a headlamp or flashlight to navigate the dark trail. Desert animals are usually more active at night, so be on the lookout for javelina, coyotes, and other desert dwellers.
A trip to Tucson is not complete without taking in a fiery sunset. It will be worth your time, we promise! Whether you’re taking it in with a fancy camera, cell phone, or just your eyes, a Tucson sunset will not disappoint. If you’ve had the chance to experience one before, tell us about it! We always love to hear what fellow travelers love about our unique state.