Bush Park is a glorious park in the heart of Salem, and it’s a favorite photoshoot location of mine in Salem. I really enjoy the variety that Bush Park has to offer, from the springtime flowers to the great fall foliage to the pretty little creek that runs through it. There is plenty to offer for backgrounds and even some spots that can serve as options for rain coverage. Shoot, it even has a little greenhouse that is white washed and so pretty for photos.
Here’s some helpful information about Bush Park:
Location: 890 Mission St SE, Salem, OR 97302. It’s located close to the Salem Hospital and downtown Salem.
What it has: trees, creek, rose garden, flowers throughout the spring and summer, paths, a couple of cool and historic buildings, gazebo, covered porch, bridge, playground, golden grass in the summer…so many things.
Parking fees: none
Restroom situation: public restrooms
Rain coverage: a gazebo, covered porch, and greenhouse (if it’s open). There are some fir trees that might help, but many of the trees there lose their leaves for the winter.
Access: really easy access to good spots right off the bat from several parking lots. I’ve found the parking lot off of High Street has great access to all the flowers, greenhouse and rose garden. The one off of Mission Street is nice for access to the creek and forested area.
Popularity: it’s one of Salem’s main parks so it has plenty of visitors, but it’s so big that I’ve never run into problems with space as a photoshoot location in Salem. Events are hosted there periodically and some spaces are rentable so there’s that. It’s a large park though so even if there’s stuff going on, there’s plenty of room for everyone.
My Favorite Photoshoot Spots Around Bush Park:
The following are photos I’ve done in various spots over the years. Keep in mind that as the park evolves and the seasons change, things may look a little different from what is pictured here. Click here for a family photography session I did there a while back in the springtime.
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In and around the greenhouse:
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The Bush House area:
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The creek:
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The trees (in the springtime this area produces a very lovely field of camas flowers, and then some nice grasses as the summer progresses):
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The rose garden and gazebo:
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As a Salem family photographer, I’ve explored lots of places in this and the surrounding areas, so be sure to check out more on my blog for more information!
