Car photo spots worth the drive around DFW

Hand-picked spots around DFW

Cedar Hill State Park

Scenic & lakeside · Best: Sunset

Lakeside roads on Joe Pool Lake. State park entry fee applies.

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Texas Motor Speedway

Industrial · Best: Golden hour

Shoot the outside of the grandstands from the public lots. The track itself is only open to cars at events.

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Waxahachie courthouse

Historic · Best: Golden hour

One of Texas' most ornate courthouses, with downtown storefronts around it.

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Granbury square

Historic · Best: Golden hour

Limestone courthouse and Old West storefronts; Lake Granbury nearby.

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Weatherford courthouse square

Historic · Best: Golden hour

1880s courthouse with a downtown loop of brick buildings.

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Cleburne courthouse

Historic · Best: Golden hour

Classic county courthouse on a small-town square.

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Baker Hotel, Mineral Wells

Historic · Best: Golden hour

Towering 1929 hotel landmark about an hour west of Fort Worth.

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Lake Ray Hubbard

Scenic & lakeside · Best: Sunset

Big open water east of Dallas; lakeside parks have shoreline parking.

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Joe Pool Lake

Scenic & lakeside · Best: Sunset

Quiet lakeside roads and parks south of Grand Prairie.

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Benbrook Lake

Scenic & lakeside · Best: Sunset

Dam road and lake parks southwest of Fort Worth.

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Eagle Mountain Lake

Scenic & lakeside · Best: Sunset

Open water and hills northwest of Fort Worth.

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Ray Roberts Lake State Park

Scenic & lakeside · Best: Golden hour

Open prairie and lake views north of Denton. Park fee applies.

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Dinosaur Valley State Park

Scenic & lakeside · Best: Golden hour

Paluxy River, cliffs and dinosaur statues near Glen Rose. Park fee applies.

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Lake Mineral Wells State Park

Scenic & lakeside · Best: Golden hour

Rocky bluffs and a quiet lake west of Fort Worth. Park fee applies.

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Murals and street art around DFW

Murals are the most popular car photo backdrop. Pull up alongside the wall, keep the car parallel to it and shoot from a low angle so the art fills the frame behind the car.

More spots around DFW

• Brazos Drive-in Neon & retro
• Somervell County Courthouse Historic

Tips for car photos around DFW

• Shoot at golden hour or blue hour. The hour after sunrise and around sunset gives soft light without harsh reflections; blue hour is best for skylines and neon.
• Go early on weekends. Popular mural walls and downtown streets are quiet before 9 AM, so you can park right in front.
• Respect the spot. Stay off private lots when asked, don't block traffic and keep the engine noise down in neighborhoods.
• Hide your plate if you want. Check your shot before you post it.