Night Sky Photography in Oregon: Crater Lake, Coast & Alyn Wallace

My Night Sky Photography Adventure in Oregon: Crater Lake, the Coast, and Meeting Alyn Wallace

In early July, I returned from a once-in-a-lifetime night sky photography workshop in Oregon, USA—a journey that took me from the iconic Crater Lake National Park to the dramatic Oregon Coast. Along the way, I had the incredible opportunity to meet one of my biggest inspirations: Alyn Wallace, a world-class night sky landscape photographer from Wales, UK.

If you’re not familiar with Alyn Wallace, you’re truly missing out. His work has profoundly influenced my night sky photography journey. I’ve learned so much from his tutorials, videos, and insights over the years—and meeting him in person was nothing short of surreal.

At the time I’m publishing this, Alyn is on the verge of releasing his book. Be sure to visit alynwallacephotography.com to get your copy, follow him on Instagram @alynwallace, and definitely subscribe to his YouTube channel. His content teaches what photos alone can’t—context, technique, and the heart behind the image.

Alyn Wallace at Crater Lake Resort. I still can’t believe I met him in person!

First Stop: Portland, Oregon – A City of Roses and Volcanoes

To ease into the journey, I spent my first two days in Portland, Oregon’s largest city. Nestled in a region known for its warm, dry summers and cool, rainy winters, Portland’s unique climate has earned it the nickname “City of Roses.”

Overlooking the city is Mount Hood, Oregon’s tallest peak and a potentially active stratovolcano. It offers the only year-round lift-served skiing in North America and adds a powerful presence to the city’s skyline.

Portland and Mt. Hood captured from the famous Pittock Mansion which lies on top of the West Hills

While in Portland, I explored the outskirts and visited the Columbia River Gorge, a region brimming with waterfalls and dramatic cliffs. The highlight? Multnomah Falls, the tallest waterfall in Oregon, cascading 620 feet over two tiers. The historic Multnomah Creek Bridge, built in 1914, adds a timeless charm.

Multnomah Falls…it looks like something out of Rivendell from Lord of the Rings doesn’t it?

Night Sky Photography at Crater Lake National Park – A Bortle Class 1 Heaven

The workshop began at Crater Lake National Park, and let me tell you—this is the darkest sky I’ve ever experienced. Crater Lake is a Bortle Class 1 location, meaning minimal light pollution and incredible sky clarity due to its elevation and dry atmosphere.

Crater Lake, formed within the caldera of a collapsed volcano (Mount Mazama), is the deepest lake in the U.S., fed only by snow and rain. Its striking blue color and geologically active floor make it one of the most unique landscapes for night sky photography.

In one of my panoramas (below), you’ll notice a soft green haze—airglow, not to be confused with the aurora. This phenomenon is caused by ionized gases in the atmosphere emitting faint light. Alyn even helped me fix my tilt head here—this was my first tracked Milky Way panorama, taken at the stunning Watchman Overlook.

Milky Way Arch Over Crater Lake National Park. Check out that green airglow!

We also drove the scenic Rim Drive, a 33-mile loop around the caldera with endless viewpoints. One stop led us to a surreal, otherworldly tree that looked like it came straight out of a fantasy novel.

“Not just beautiful, though--the stars are like the trees in the forest, alive and breathing. And they're watching me.”⁣⁣ - Haruki Murakami (Japanese Writer) ⁣⁣

Chasing Stars on the Oregon Coast – Gold Beach, Secret Beach & More

After a few incredible nights at Crater Lake, we made our way to the Oregon Coast. While cloud cover blocked our views at some iconic spots like Secret Beach and Face Rock Scenic Viewpoint, we eventually found clear skies in the Gold Beach area.

Gold Beach surprised me in more ways than one. I found mysterious rock formations that seemed to point directly at the Milky Way. These unnamed geological shapes offered a surreal foreground for my photos. It reminded me how lesser-known locations often result in the most unique images.

Is it me or do the rock formations along the Oregon Coast really, really, like the Milky Way?

One such spot was Kissing Rock, a formation with a distinctive curve that, according to local legend, earned its name from the teens who once used it as a secret meeting place. Shooting into the light pollution from town, I wasn’t expecting much—but the resulting silhouetted shot of the Cassiopeia region of the Milky Way surprised me. If you look closely, you’ll spot the Andromeda Galaxy just above the white glow of the clouds.

“We began as wanderers, and we are wanderers still. We have lingered long enough on the shores of the cosmic ocean. We are ready at last to set sail for the stars.“ - Carl Sagan (American Astronomer, Writer, Science Communicator)

It wouldn’t be the Oregon Coast without crazy rock formations and tide pools…⁣

Another highlight was revisiting Secret Beach, part of the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, a stunning 12-mile stretch of rugged coastline, sea stacks, and forest. Named after Oregon’s first state park superintendent, the area was originally envisioned as a national park. It certainly deserves that designation.

Under a dome of stars, the sea stacks of Secret Beach stand like silent sentinels on the southern Oregon coast. Soft waves and scattered starlight meet in this secluded cove near Brookings, capturing the deep stillness of night by the Pacific.

Reflection – Why This Trip Changed Me

This was more than just a night sky photography workshop. It was my first time visiting the U.S. West Coast, and it became a turning point in both my creative and personal life. The trip taught me a lot about light, landscape, and camera technique—but more importantly, it taught me about myself.

Travel has a way of doing that. It improves mental clarity, inspires confidence, and reveals passions you didn’t know you had. This trip confirmed something I had been suspecting: I’m meant to travel more often. Astrophotography is just the beginning—I’m on a path now, and I have a plan.

And at the very least… I got to meet Alyn Wallace in person. Not many can say that.

Alyn Wallace breaking down Milky Way image processing during our 2022 Oregon astrophotography workshop—an unforgettable hands-on learning moment.