Memphis is a city built on the blues, barbecue, and a massive, shiny mistake that somehow turned into a masterpiece. If you’ve ever scrolled through TikTok or Instagram and saw a giant glass tomb glowing neon blue over the Mississippi River, you've seen it. People obsessed with bass pro shop pyramid photos aren't just looking at a retail store; they’re looking at one of the weirdest architectural redemption arcs in American history. It is a 32-story beast of steel and glass. It is a fever dream of taxidermy and camouflage. Honestly, it’s kind of a miracle it even exists.
Originally, this wasn't supposed to be a place where you buy dehydrated beef jerky and camouflage seat covers. It opened in 1991 as "The Great American Pyramid," an ambitious sports and entertainment arena intended to rival the icons of Egypt. But the acoustics were terrible. The logistics were a nightmare. For years, it sat empty, a "white elephant" haunting the Memphis skyline. Then, Johnny Morris, the founder of Bass Pro Shops, went fishing. Legend says he saw the empty pyramid from the river and had a vision. Now? It’s a "megastore" with an indoor swamp, a bowling alley, and a hotel where the rooms look like luxury deer camps.
The Best Spots for Bass Pro Shop Pyramid Photos
You can't just walk in and snap a random pic if you want it to look good. The scale is too big. Most people make the mistake of standing right in front of the doors, but all you get there is a reflection of the parking lot and some concrete. To really capture the vibe, you have to go to the riverfront at sunset.
When the sun hits that glass at a specific angle, the whole structure turns into a golden beacon. It’s almost spiritual, in a weirdly commercial way. If you’re inside, the best bass pro shop pyramid photos usually happen on the glass observation deck at the very top. You take the tallest freestanding elevator in the country—which is terrifying if you hate heights—and walk out onto a cantilevered glass platform. You’re hanging over the edge of the pyramid, looking down at the river on one side and the sprawling interior forest on the other. It’s the money shot.
Don't ignore the ground floor, though. There is a cypress swamp inside with live alligators and sturgeon. Getting a low-angle shot of the trees reaching up toward the peak of the pyramid gives people a sense of the sheer verticality. It doesn't feel like a store. It feels like a biosphere.
Why the Internet is Obsessed with This Building
We live in a world of boring, beige architecture. Most big-box stores are just giant windowless cubes in a sea of asphalt. The Memphis Pyramid is the opposite of that. It is absurd. It is "unhinged" in the way that Gen Z loves. You’ve probably seen the memes. People post bass pro shop pyramid photos with captions about how it’s the "new wonder of the world" or jokes about how this is where the elite will go during the apocalypse.
There’s a genuine subculture around it. Some people travel across the country just to stay at the Big Cypress Lodge, the hotel tucked inside the upper floors. You can literally sit on your private balcony, drink coffee, and look down at people shopping for fishing lures 50 feet below you. It’s a bizarre mix of luxury and kitsch that you can’t find anywhere else. That’s why the photos do so well on social media. They trigger a "wait, is that real?" response.
Technical Tips for Capturing the Scale
Taking decent bass pro shop pyramid photos is actually harder than it looks because of the lighting. Inside, the "swamp" area is deliberately dim to mimic a forest canopy. If you use a basic smartphone camera on auto-mode, the lights from the store displays will blow out the background while the trees look like black blobs.
Switch to night mode or manually drop your exposure. You want to capture the glow of the green and blue lights reflecting off the water. If you’re outside, use a wide-angle lens. The pyramid is roughly 450 feet tall. If you’re standing across the street, you’re going to cut off the top unless you’ve got a 0.5x lens or you’re willing to lay down on the sidewalk.
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- The Mud Island Bridge: This is the secret spot for professionals. From the bridge, you get the pyramid, the river, and the Memphis bridge (the "M" bridge) all in one frame.
- The Elevator Ride: Video is better here. The ride up the center of the pyramid shows the scale better than any still photo could.
- The Alligator Pits: Use a polarized filter if you have one for your phone or DSLR. It cuts the reflection on the water so you can actually see the gators sitting on the logs.
The Architecture of a Retail Empire
John Tigrett, the man who originally pitched the pyramid idea in the 80s, wanted it to be a massive complex with a hard rock cafe and a radio station. It didn't quite work out. When Bass Pro Shops took over, they had to figure out how to fill 535,000 square feet of space. They didn't just put up shelves. They brought in hundreds of massive cypress trees, created a 100,000-gallon freshwater fish track, and built a simulated wilderness.
Architecturally, the pyramid is a 2/3 scale replica of the Great Pyramid of Giza. It’s covered in stainless steel panels that were supposed to be gold but ended up being more of a champagne color. Over time, the Memphis humidity has given the metal a unique patina. It looks different every time you see it. On a cloudy day, it looks like a dark, brooding monolith. On a clear day, it’s blinding. This variability is why bass pro shop pyramid photos are a staple for travel bloggers. It’s never the same shot twice.
Dealing with the Crowds and Logistics
If you’re planning a trip specifically to get photos, timing is everything. Saturday at 2:00 PM is a nightmare. It’s full of tourists, families, and people trying to buy boats. You’ll have a dozen strangers in the background of every shot.
Go on a Tuesday morning. The light coming through the glass is softer, and the "wilderness" vibe is much more convincing when the building is quiet. You can hear the fake crickets and the splashing of the fish. It’s actually kind of peaceful. Also, keep in mind that the observation deck has a cover charge unless you’re staying at the hotel or have a reservation at the restaurant (The Lookout). It’s worth the 10 or 15 bucks just for the view of the river, especially if the "M" bridge is lit up in colors.
The Cultural Impact of a Glass Tomb Turned Tackle Shop
Is it tacky? Maybe. Is it impressive? Absolutely. The Memphis Pyramid has become a symbol of the city's ability to reinvent itself. It’s no longer a failed arena; it’s a destination. When you look at bass pro shop pyramid photos, you’re seeing more than just a store. You’re seeing the American spirit of "bigger is better" taken to its logical, slightly crazy conclusion.
People love it because it’s unapologetic. It doesn't try to be a sleek, modern Apple store. It’s a pyramid full of guns, boats, and fudge. It’s weirdly wholesome and intensely chaotic at the same time. Whether you’re an avid fisherman or just someone who likes weird roadside attractions, it’s a bucket-list item.
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Actionable Steps for Your Visit
To get the most out of your trip and your photography, follow this specific workflow. Start at the Tennessee welcome center nearby for a long-distance shot. Then, head to the pyramid an hour before sunset. This gives you time to explore the ground floor and the swamp area while there’s still natural light filtering through the glass.
Book your elevator ticket in advance if it’s a weekend. Once you’re at the top, wait for "blue hour"—that window just after the sun goes down but before it’s pitch black. This is when the pyramid's exterior LED system kicks in. The combination of the deep blue sky and the neon lights of the building makes for the most dramatic bass pro shop pyramid photos possible.
Check the Memphis bridge lighting schedule as well. Often, the bridge will be lit up to match the pyramid for special events or holidays, giving you a synchronized light show across the Mississippi. Pack a tripod if you’re using a real camera; the wind on the observation deck can be brutal, and you’ll need the stability for long exposures of the river.