Good Photo Locations between Denver & New York?

I'm thinking of doing a cross-country trip from Denver to New York in late March. I've never been out that way, so am wondering if anyone has some tips on good photo locations. So far, I'm thinking Monument Rocks in Kansas and Niagra Falls. But obviously that leaves a rather large gap in between. I don't have a specific route planned and will likely take a different route there and back, so am open to any place that is basically between here and New York. I'll probably skip locations in eastern Colorado, as I've seen a lot of this area already.

I may post in other regional forums, but I figure there's lots of knowledgeable people here who might have some good tips.

Thanks.

I don't know if you are going that far north, but the Badlands in South Dakota are one of my favorite places.

Well, I don't know if you'll be travelling through Ohio or not, but I-80 heads through northeast Ohio, just minutes away from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (and minutes from where I grew up). I don't have many shots from the area since I started shooting once I moved to Colorado, but fellow NPNer Jack Graham lives nearby. Check out his web site for an idea of what you could expect to see.

I'll second the Badlands, if you're willing to go I-90. The Wisconsin Dells are also scenic if a bit touristy.

In late March, there's probably a good chance of catching Sandhill Cranes along the Platte River in Nebraska.

In the "non-natural" department, the Arch in St. Louis is spectacular, especially with good lighting.

If you go to Niagara, either be prepared with passport (just in case), or plan on shooting the NY side of the falls. (The "classic" horseshoe view of the falls is from the Canadian side of the border, as are the behind-the-falls shots.)

Oh - any of the NY gorge parks are nice. Watkins Glen, Letchworth, Taughannock Falls and Stony Brook are some of the ones I frequented when I lived in that area.

Grant: having driven x-country numerous times, my suggestion is this: do the extra mileage and take the Canadian route (1). hit all the parks on the n side of the lakes--theyre amazing, like the fjords! come down through the thousand Islands, and if your really ambitious, hit the Adirondacks. If your stuck south (80/90) then Badlands and ern Pa (Amish cntry) are your best bet. Way south (40) and the Smokies are the place to be! Have fun.

IOWA!!!! All of Iowa!!!! Especially late march. The differing hues of brown will mesmerize you!!

OK, maybe not! I grew up there, so can poke a little fun at it. Seriously though, northeast Iowa is gorgeous, lots of trees,rivers, and cliffs. The fall's up there are incredible. However, that time of year might be a little more on the bland side.

I like Stan's idea, he Canadian way! Now that would be fun!!! and then maybe the central US way on the way home! Good luck!!

As mentioned by Brent, in Ohio directly off of I-80 is Cuyahoga Valley NP, but it will be pretty brown in March. I have shot there a ton since I lived 98% of my life pretty close by the park. If you plan on hitting Niagra Falls you will probably be taking I-90 and you could try Mentor Headlands or any other park along RT 6 for sunset. Just make sure you are east of Cleveland for the sunset to get the sun over the water and hopefully some broken ice. The weather in March is a total crapshoot.... sunny and 65 or snow and 10. Good Luck.

Michigan's Upper Peninsula - lots of neat parks and waterfalls. The lighthouses are quite scenic all around the Great Lakes.

I just checked...turns out there's nothing to photograph between Denver and New York. Bummer dude.

The Badlands are on my list for this year (hopefully). Could be a bit chilly, but I bet you'd have the place pretty much to yourself.

Thanks for the tips. I figured there was nothing to photograph between here and New York, which is why I've never ventured out too far east. I may have to take a northern U.S. route for one of the legs, even though March isn't an ideal time for that. However, tempting as it is, I think I'll save Canada for a summer month. I was there in July and it was snowing, so I think March in Canada could be frightening for a wimp like me.

Thanks for the advice on the passport for Niagara Falls. Hadn't thought of that, since you didn't need a passport last time I was in Canada.

Jeff - Whereabout in Ohio did you live? I spent about 20 of my 24 Ohio years living in Northfield Center just minutes from the Park, or in Cuyahoga Falls down in the Cuyahoga Valley.

Brent - I grew up in Avon Lake, then moved to Sheffield Lake for 8 years then moved to Tooele, Utah seven months ago. Tinkers Creek Gorge is my favorite part of CVNP.

Sorry for the eastern chat in the Rocky Mountain forum. Go Buckeyes!

Grant, as far as I know, you still don't need the passport, but Homeland Security is unpredictable, and a passport is a far better thing to have than a driver's license and a birth certificate. A while back, I took a flight to Montreal, and was told to take a passport "just in case"; it turned out to be mandatory to get through customs. And while border crossings are usually routine, every once in a while they bring down all the bureaucratic weight of the U.S. Government on top of you...

Southern Missouri is nice as is the Area where Penn, Wv and Maryland are all within an hour at the tip of WV. The Eastern Shoreline up NJ to NY is nice too for harbours. I have a friend in Mass who you would do well to hook up with for locations too!