Where are the best dog photography locations in Minneapolis and St Paul MN?
There are so many options to choose from – urban to natural, and even locations with both! For dog photography locations we love Hidden Falls in St. Paul, Theodore Wirth Park, the Lyndale Rose & Peace Garden and of course all the murals & textures of downtown St. Paul & Minneapolis.
Hidden Falls, St. Paul
This is a BIG park, directly across the river from the Minnehaha Dog Park!
Our favorite spot is where the trickley waterfall flows down its man made creek into the the river. Concrete and woods, a unique pairing!
Notes:
– Large parking lot with lots of parking spaces.
– Fair amount of walking to the falls then falls to the river.
– No parking fees or permits.
Spots perfect for dog photography at Hidden Falls:
- the waterfall
- the manmade creek – concrete + woods!
- a bazillion stone stairs loaded with texture by the falls
- open grassy area – perfect for action images
- the river for splashes & sunset
** If standing at the shore and looking across to the Minnehahah Dog Park the sun will set on your right side.
Theodore Wirth Park
HUGE park just outside of the Twin Cities. There are trails through wooded and natural areas, a sandy beach and an adorable bridge over Basset Creek.
Notes:
– Large parking lot, can be busy especially in the summer
– Fair amount of walking from the beach house to creek to woods
– Trails are a mix of paved and crushed granite
– Ample mosquitos in the spring & summer season
Spots perfect for dog photography at Theo Wirth:
- the bridge over Basset Creek (can be buggy fyi!)
- the sandy beach for sunset
- a small wooded are just past a wooden fence
- the trails that loop the ponds
- a hilly area between the lake & creek – great for action & backlight!
** early in the spring/summer there will be dandelions!
Lyndale Rose Garden & Peace Garden
Cute and quaint, the Peace Garden is brimming with textures, rocks and a water feature. TECHNICALLY dogs are not allowed in the rose garden across the street.
Notes:
– Fair sized parking lot, can be busy especially in the summer
– Short amount of walking in the Peace Garden
– Trails are crushed granite / rock
– Be aware of when prom is! The park becomes overrun for prom pictures!
– You’ll need a permit to do a client session in the Rose & Peace Gardens
Spots perfect for dog photography in the Peace Garden:
- the water feature
- on any of the paths throughout the Peace Garden
- on the rocks around the garden
- the wood fence on the garden edge
- under the various trees with the plants
Downtown Minneapolis & Downtown St. Paul
MURALS, texture, alleys & architecture abound in Minneapolis, St. Paul and the neighborhoods in the Twin Cities – these downtowns are sure to delight!
This is a great list of murals: Minneapolis + Murals & Public Art
Notes:
– Minneapolis parks require permits for photography sessions with a client. Stone Arch Bridge is one of those parks!
– Murals might change as years pass
– Google maps will give you an idea of buildings, alleys & murals – street view is going to give you a great “walking view” of what you’ll see
Spots perfect for dog photography in the Twin Cities:
- The GINORMOUS Bob Dylan mural
**early morning on weekends is best as there will be less cars parked against the mural - The Star Wall of 1st Avenue
- Lyndale Ave & Lake Street has loads of murals!
- I Like You Minneapolis
- Stone Arch Bridge
- Mill City Ruins
- anywhere there are buildings!
Up for a drive? Let's go adventuring!
These locations are outside of Minneapolis & St. Paul proper – most within an hour drive from the heart of the Twin Cities. Here you’ll find more space, less people & other dogs and loads of personality. Consider an adventure out of the city for your next dog photography session!
Deer Lake Orchard, Buffalo Minnesota
Probably the cutest dog friendly apple orchard in Minnesota! There is a quaint barn / shop dressed in a crisp red, a kissing booth, old bicycle and of course apples!
Notes:
– No dogs in the buildings please!
– Mums & pumpkins will be available in the fall
– Apples ripen classically in the fall
– $50 photography fee required, for up to 4 hours
** If you do mini sessions there is $100 photography fee.
– may only be open seasonally – opening in August & open until Christmas
From Minneapolis: roughly 50 mins
Spots perfect for dog photography in the Twin Cities:
- The barn / shop exterior
- The apple orchard!
- Find the kissing booth prop & old bicycle
** I’ve only been here ONCE, there may be even more cool backdrops!
Sheburne National Wildlife Refuge + Uncas Dunes Scientific & Natural Area
Sherburne is a HUGE area, complete with ponds, creeks, praire & oak savannah. Uncas Dunes are what happens when sand dunes meet prairie. You could spend a week here and never see it it all!
Notes:
– No dogs in the buildings please!
– Lupines bloom the end of May into June & are found on the Prairie Trail
– Sheburne closes 30 mins after sunset
– Uncas Dunes is one of the few SNAs in Minnesota that allow dogs!
From Minneapolis: roughly 1 hour
Favorite spots since the park is so HUGE:
- Mahnomen Trail – prairie & wooded areas, sandy ground
- Prairie’s Edge Wildlife Drive + Praire Trail (ps lupines!)
- Lake Ann – lake, woods & sandy ground
- Row planted pines (exact location I forget hahaha!)
(Are you in the St. Cloud area? Check out our favorite places in St. Cloud)
Ready have a dog photography adventure in in Minneaplis or St. Paul? Click to book your session today! >