Best Engagement Photo Locations in Colorado!
updated on 2/17/2025
Colorado has such a treasure of amazing spots for engagement sessions. No matter if you want to stay close to Denver, explore the front range, or head deep into the mountains, we have great options for you.
Below you will find a list of my most favorite engagement photo spots. With this many options you’ll be sure to find a location that you love! I'll start with Colorado's one of a kind Rocky Mountain National Park, share some northern Colorado spots, work my way down the front range, and head west into the mountains.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
My #1 go to recommendation, RMNP has a huge variety of stunning backdrop options. Epic mountains, alpine lakes, beautiful meadows, waterfalls, evergreen trees and more. There are so many great spots in the park, all of which are easily accessible. Although the park can get a bit crowded at certain times of the year, RMNP is still a great option for all seasons. No permit is required to take photos in the park, you will just have to pay the entrance fee and follow the timed entry rules (when applicable). I have several preferred locations within the park, some more well known than others. Because I live not too far from Estes I am regularly heading up to the park and finding new hidden gems to share with my couples. If you dont mind traveling to RMNP, this option wont disappoint.
OLD TOWN FORT COLLINS
A great northern Colorado option. The Old Town in Fort Collins is a great location for couples who are looking to have a little bit of an urban vibe mixed in with Colorado's beautiful landscapes. There are a few absolutely killer murals that I love to use as backdrops, as well as some awesome alley-ways that work perfect for couples photos. The Old Town's close proximity to the Poudre River also provides additional photo locations with more of a natural feel. I often recommend my couples do half the engagement session at the Old Town before heading for Horsetooth for some accessable mountain backdrops.
HORSETOOTH RESERVOIR
Horsetooth is located just west of downtown Fort Collins, and is a very popular destination any time of year. When paired with Old Town Fort Collins this is a great option for couples who want a bit of a city vibe but still want those Rocky Mountain Foothill backdrops as well. Of course you can also consider doing an entire session at Horsetooth if that's your preference! There are a number of easily accessible spots along the reservoir that offer a variety of options. There is one spot that requires a short uphill hike (Duncan's Ridge), but the views are well worth the effort.
DEVILS BACKBONE OPEN SPACE
This is a great local option for all my Loveland people. Since I live close to this trailhead I have been to Devil's Backbone many times, but it wasn't till recently that I shot my first session here. This is a great option that is located just minutes away from three of Loveland's most popular wedding venues. Although it is a bit of a hike to get to the "keyhole" location in the park, there are some great spots not too far from the parking area. I also have a couple other locations nearby that work great to pair with Devils Backbone!
THE ST VRAIN CREEK IN LYONS
Lyons has long been a favorite of mine, it was also one of my first stops on my initial visit to Colorado. This cute little town of about 2200 people is located just 20 miles north of Boulder. Lyons sits at the confluence of North St. Vrain Creek and South St. Vrain Creek, so naturally there are some great outdoor locations in the area. Both Bohn Park and LaVern M. Johnson Park are great engagement photo spots right along the Vrain river. The town can get pretty busy during the summer months with tubing traffic on the river, but works great during the fall months or even during a weekday.
CHAUTAUQUA PARK
Chautauqua park is an iconic destination in Boulder, located right at the foot of the picturesque Flatiron Mountains. This trailhead can get very busy with both locals and tourists, and chances are you will see other couples out taking photos. I often walk with my clients a bit away from the parking area, which can help thin out the crowds. This spot is very busy on the weekends, so if possible a weekday session might work best.
DOWNTOWN BOULDER / PEARL STREET
Pearl Street, located in downtown Boulder, is a great walkable spot for an engagement session. Much like the Old Town and Horsetooth up in Fort Collins, Pearl St and Chautauqua work great together for couples who are looking for a mix of Boulder city vibes while still have some of those gorgeous Colorado landscapes. I have a handful of great spots located around Pearl Street. Much like Chautauqua, Pearl St can get very busy on the weekend espcially during the summer months.
BRAINARD LAKE RECREATION AREA
Located 23 miles west of Boulder, and just north of the town of Ward, is the Brainard Lake Rec area. Although the area around Brainard Lake is very pretty, my go to spot is the Long Lake trail. The trail around Long Lake is a easy hike, with absolutely stunning mountain views. This is a great option in the summer and fall, specially mid-June through mid-October, as this is when the road to the lake is accessible and the weather is most pleasant. We will need to get a parking permit for the Long Lake trailhead area, but it is well worth the effort for couples coming from Boulder or the Denver area who aren't wanting to drive all the way to RMNP.
RED ROCKS PARK AND AMPHITHEATRE
Just 20 minutes west of Downtown Denver, the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater is a world renowned concert venue located in the Morrison foothills. The park and trails that surround the venue showcase dramatic red rock formations and sweeping views of the foothills. This spot works great year round, and as long as your group is fewer than 5 people no permit is required. During the busy concert season couples are advised to take advantage of the area before the crowds arrive. Check out the next few locations below for different options that pair great with a Red Rocks engagement session.
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN
Located just west of downtown Golden and a quick drive from Red Rocks, Lookout Mountain is a great spot for engagement photos. The park features some nice easy trails, evergreen trees, and lovely grey rock formations. Windy Saddle Park, which is just a few minutes down the road, is also a must if you are looking for some epic views of the Rocky Mountains. This is a great option for Denver people who are looking for those beautiful outdoor backdrops, but aren't necessarily wanting to drive too far west on I-70.
DOWNTOWN GOLDEN
If you haven't noticed already, I love mixing urban/city spots with some nearby park for my engagement photos. This makes the super cute city of Golden another great option! This Old West gold rush spot is located right on the Clear Creek and offers lovely waterside spots for photos. Golden is a quick drive away from either Lookout Mountain or Red Rocks, giving couples excellent nearby options. During the summer months the creek can get busy with tubers, so you are better off planning for a weekday session if possible.
LAIR O' THE BEAR PARK
This location was recently suggested by some clients of mine, and I immediately fell in love with shooting at this park. Lair o’ the Bear Park is located just 10 minutes from Red Rocks, just past the town of Idledale along the Bear Creek Canyon. There are some easily hiking trails right off the parking area, as well as a cool foot bridge and stone structure. This park will definitely become one of my go to recommendations going forward. I can't wait to get back here in the spring, summer and fall!
GUANELLA PASS
Guanella Pass is a high mountain pass that normally opens by Memorial Day and closes by Thanksgiving Day (weather/conditions dependent). Driving up from Georgetown, there are several great spots along the way featuring Colorado's beautiful aspen trees. The lot of the top of the pass is actually the trailhead for Mt. Bierstadt, one of Colorado's iconic 14ers. You certainly dont need to climb any 14ers for the epic views though! If you are looking for amazing mountain views within an hour drive of Denver, this is absolutely one of your best bets.
SAPPHIRE POINT OVERLOOK
Sapphire Point Overlook is located near the town of Frisco and is about a 90 minute drive from Denver. Sapphire Point features a very east .6 mile loop trail, making it a very popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Many couples hold wedding ceremonies at this spot, which can be reserved for three-hour blocks for private but non-exclusive gatherings. Basically that means you can have a wedding ceremony here, but other people are still able to enjoy the loop trail during your block of time. Sapphire Point has some stunning views of the surrounding Mountains and Reservoir.
DILLON RESERVOIR
Dillon Reservoir, often referred to as Lake Dillon, is an excellent option for couples photos. With several access points, some of which are located just minutes from Sapphire Point, this waterway works great for couples who are looking for mountain views but would still like a water feature in their photos. Dillon Reservoir is a great option year round, just as long as you don't mind heading west on I-70.
LOVELAND PASS
Loveland Pass is located just over an hour from Denver (depending on traffic), 30 minutes from Sapphire Point, and is an excellent option for couples looking to get those top of the mountain type photos. The high mountain pass reaches just under 12k feet, is located right on the continental divide, and offers stunning Rocky Mountain views. Because of the locations high elevation, you can expect snow on the ground from November to mid-June. One important thing to note, there are no guarantees that the road will be open, the weather is very unpredictable, and there are very limited parking spots at the top of the road. This option is best during the summer and fall. Despite all these variables, when things work out favorably, this option is as good as it gets.
GARDEN OF THE GODS
Colorado Springs very own Garden of the Gods is an iconic spot that works perfectly for couple sessions. Although the park is often crowded, there are still some less frequented spots that work great for photos. The park is free to visit, has over 4 million visitors and over 1300 acres of natural beauty. If you are looking for out of this world red rock formations coupled amazing mountain views, then this is your spot!
There you have it, hope you are able to find a spot that you love!
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but instead my favorite spots for Colorado engagement photos. I am always open to new location ideas, and love when clients turn me onto places that are special to them.
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