Sunset Engagement Session at Lost Dutchman State Park
Arizona Engagement Photographer
Of all the places in the Phoenix Metro – it’s hard to beat Lost Dutchman State Park. This place encompasses the most beautiful aspects of the Sonoran Desert. With the Superstition Mountains, towering saguaros, & open desert landscape – if you want your photos to be true “Arizona” this is the place.
Whether you’re celebrating your engagement, just want couples photos of you & your love, or you’re deciding to elope out in the desert – I’d love to be a part of your adventure together.
How to plan your engagement/couples session at Lost Dutchman State Park:
Photo Permit: Can you take pictures at Lost Dutchman State Park? YES! Lost Dutchman State Park does NOT currently require a photo permit as of 2024 for couples & engagement sessions. All you need is a parking pass!
*Photo permit pricing subject to change
Parking: You must pay the park entrance fee – entry is $10/car. The park is open from 6 am to 8 pm. You cannot enter the park before this time & you have to be out of the park before it closes.
The Visitor Center/Park Store is open Monday-Sunday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. (summer & holiday hours may vary). If the visitor center is closed, you must pay via the self-pay station & bring exact change.
Grab a Map: Pretty much any trail in Lost Dutchman State Park is beautiful & will give you gorgeous views. It’s easy to get turned around in the park though or get off trail, so I suggest grabbing a map or downloading what trails you’d like to go on ahead of time (my favorite app is AllTrails). Photos are permitted in any of the day-use areas.
I’ll be there to help guide you though & show you all the best areas of the park.
Follow Leave No Trace Principles: This is an amazing state park that we are all so lucky to get to enjoy hiking at & taking photos at – let’s keep it clean & respect the trails. No confetti, balloons, smoke bombs (or anything that could possibly start a fire) are allowed. Let the beauty of the park speak for itself. Learn more about the Leave No Trace Principles here & why I’m a leave no trace aware photographer.
Bring Water & Comfortable Shoes: Even if you’re from Arizona & used to the dry heat – still bring water! You can easily get drained & dehydrated from the sun & you’ll do more walking than you realize. Bringing comfortable shoes to walk/hike in in-between spots is a good idea to save your feet. Although there are plenty of easy trails, some of the terrain can be uneven.
Continue reading below for more details on how to prepare for your Lost Dutchman State Park engagement session.
Are dogs allowed at your Lost Dutchman engagement session? Yes! Pets are allowed on leashes. Just let me know ahead of time so we can plan accordingly.
Want to include your pups in your session? Let’s do it!! Let me know ahead of time so we can plan out all the details to make the day go as smooth as possible with your doggos.
Fun Fact: The Superstition Mountains are the second most photographed landmark in Arizona next to the Grand Canyon.
Looking for other areas to explore around Phoenix for your couples or engagement session? Check out my other blog post: Seven of the Best Spots for Engagement Photos in Phoenix, Arizona.
Samantha Rose Photography is an Arizona elopement photographer based in Phoenix, AZ. She specializes in intimate & authentic moments - helping couples curate the perfect day focused around their favorite things. When she’s not capturing couples in love she can be found hiking new trails, rewatching the Office & reorganizing her kitchen.