"The Rocky Mountains realize - nay, exceed - the dream of my childhood. It is magnificent, and the air is life-giving." -Isabella Bird
It's no wonder Colorado is such a popular destination for weddings and engagements. Colorado is home to the breathtaking Rocky Mountains and an incredible variety of landscapes. From the rugged peaks and high alpine lakes of the Rockies to grassy meadows and desert plateaus, couples can choose a setting that best reflects their personality or desired aesthetic. Colorado's four distinct seasons provide different looks and vibes for engagement sessions year-round. Winter offers snowy wonderlands, spring brings fresh greenery and wildflowers, summer boasts vibrant skies and lush landscapes, and autumn features stunning fall colors.
Many iconic locations, such as Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs or Rocky Mountain National Park, are easily accessible to visitors. Couples can have a picturesque backdrop without needing to hike or travel too far, making it convenient for engagement photos while still feeling immersed in nature. Colorado is also known for its stunning sunsets and beautiful “golden hour” light, which creates a warm glow perfect for engagement photos. The clear skies and expansive views allow for incredible photo opportunities during the evening.
Colorado’s culture is deeply tied to outdoor adventure and an active lifestyle. Many couples who are drawn to Colorado for engagement photos love the idea of incorporating outdoor elements, such as hiking, into their session.
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DENVER & FRONT RANGE COLORADO ENGAGEMENT PHOTO LOCATIONS
With 10 years of experience as a Colorado wedding photographer, I've had the opportunity to photograph couples in dozens of locations around the state. This article details 15 of the most beautiful Denver and Front Range Colorado engagement photo locations for your engagement photos that are guaranteed to be incredible.
NOTE: Many popular engagement photo locations require a Commercial use permit or photography permit. If you are a booked client of mine, I cover the cost and logistics of all permits unless otherwise noted. Please be sure to ask your photographer if they have the necessary permit covered as fines can be issued for non-compliance.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK & ESTES PARK ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
One of the most popular engagement photo locations is Rocky Mountain National Park, located near Estes Park, Colorado. With its towering snow-covered peaks, mountainside vistas, and beautiful lush valleys, it's an easy choice for a photo backdrop. Keep in mind that during the summer and fall months, the park tends to be very crowded with visitors. Traffic jams caused by herds of elk are common.
Current park policy does not require a separate photography permit, however a timed entry reservation and park pass are required for both photographer and client. Timed entry reservation is required for entry between the hours of 5am-6pm for Bear Lake Road access and 9am-2pm for the rest of Rocky Mountain National Park, starting May 23, 2025 thru October 14, 2025. There is no set time for departure once you are inside the park. My clients are responsible for their own park entry pass (daily pass $30 / annual pass $70), purchasable at the entry station by card.
During the summer, evening engagement sessions are usually scheduled for 6pm, as the sun sets around 8:30pm depending on the specific date. This allows for long, relaxed golden hour photos as we chase the sunset up to higher elevations. During the winter, sessions are scheduled much earlier, typically 2:30pm with the sun setting around 4:30pm.
There are endless locations within Rocky Mountain National Park for photos. I usually choose unique locations inside the park when we arrive, based on the light / sun, weather conditions, and season. Some popular areas include Moraine Valley, Upper Beaver Meadows, Horseshoe Park, Trail Ridge Road, and Sprague Lake.
If you'd rather not deal with the heavy crowds and traffic in Rocky Mountain National Park, the town of Estes Park is a great option for engagement photos. Knoll-Willows Open Space offers beautiful views of Lumpy Ridge and the continental divide peaks, while the downtown holiday lights provide a festive vibe for winter sessions.
LEAVE NO TRACE
As with ALL public lands, it's crucial to follow LEAVE NO TRACE principles to help preserve ecosystems, protect wildlife, and ensure that outdoor spaces remain accessible and enjoyable for future generations. Many ecosystems, especially delicate ones like alpine or desert environments, are vulnerable to human impact. LNT principles encourage responsible behavior, such as staying on trails, to prevent damage to plant life, soil, and wildlife habitats.
Rocky Mountain National Park is particularly popular for its wildlife. Human activities can disturb wildlife by directly affecting animals' habitats or through behaviors like feeding wildlife, which can alter their natural behaviors. LNT teaches respect for wildlife by discouraging practices that could harm or alter their natural patterns.
Learn more about LNT principles on their website and easily incorporate these practices every time you are enjoying public lands.
Can we bring our dog to Rocky Mountain National Park?
Yes! Dogs are allowed inside Rocky Mountain National Park on roadways and in picnic areas only. Dogs are not allowed on trails inside the park. As an experienced Colorado engagement photographer, I use creative angles at specific locations to include your doggo in your epic mountain photos! View Leticia and Dominic's engagement session in Rocky Mountain National Park with their sweet dog Maverick.
BRECKENRIDGE AREA ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
Breckenridge boasts a wide variety of location options, from local trails and mountainside meadows to it's own cute main street. Boreas Pass Road offers stellar views and summer wildflowers, while Dillon Reservoir is the perfect summer oasis for photos. Fall in the Breckenridge area is absolutely jaw-dropping with large aspen groves of fall color against the mountain silhouettes. Sapphire Point Overlook is a popular location for small weddings, hiking, and engagement photos. Sapphire Point will be closed for trail maintenance Monday-Thursdays June 2-19, 2025 and again September - October 2025.
LOVELAND PASS ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
Located just 60 miles west of Denver, Loveland Pass is a popular area for hiking, skiing, and visitors. It's known for easy winter access, as Highway 6 remains open all year around for hazardous material vehicles that are not allowed through the Eisenhower Tunnel. This location offers incredible views and amazing photo backdrops for every season. But it can be very windy!
HORSETOOTH RESERVOIR ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
Located just west of Fort Collins, Colorado, Horsetooth Reservoir is a 6.5-mile-long oasis for locals to boat, paddleboard, picnic, and hike. During the summer, the sun sets behind Horsetooth Rock for an evening of golden dreamy light. A photography permit is required for all Larimer County parks, with both single-use and annual permits available for purchase at the county's website.
DOWNTOWN FORT COLLINS & LOVELAND ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
Many couples opt to keep engagement photos local. Fort Collins and Loveland both offer cute downtown areas that are perfect for engagement photos! From brick walls to unique arcitecture and colorful murals, both downtown areas boast local eats and breweries, small shops, and a bustling atmosphere.
BRAINARD LAKE RECREATIONAL AREA
Hands down, Brainard Lake area is my favorite locations for engagement photos. Particularly in the fall, the changing colors near Brainard Lake are a whole experience! The Peak to Peak Highway runs from Estes Park south to Black Hawk, through Gilpin, Boulder, and Larimer counties offering views of the Continental Divide peaks along the way. Near Ward, Brainard Lake Recreational area offers some of the best hiking in northern Colorado. Timed entry reservations are required to enter Brainard Lake Recreational Area and are easily available for purchase through Recreation.gov. Dogs are allowed on leash.
DEVILS BACKBONE ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
Located in the foothills west of Loveland, Colorado, Devils Backbone Open Space has more than 17 miles of trails that connect to Rimrock Open Space and Horsetooth Mountain Open Space for hiking, running, horseback riding, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, and beautiful views of the mountains. It's named for "The Devil's Backbone", an impressive geologic feature of eroded layers of wavy sedimentary rock that protrude almost vertically from the surrounding soil.
Dogs are allowed on leash. A Larimer County photo permit is required for photography at Devils Backbone.
ELDORADO CANYON STATE PARK ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
Eldorado Canyon State Park is a unique area just outside Boulder, Colorado. The park is popular for hiking, climbing, and picnicking in the summer and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. Dogs are allowed on leash. Timed entry reservations are required for access from May 15-Sept 15 on weekends and summer holidays. Visit CPWshop.com to make a reservation. A photography permit is also required and can be obtained on the state website.
DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS
My favorite non-mountain location in the Denver area is easily the Denver Botanic Gardens (York Street). With endless variety, the gardens boast 24 acres of plants from around the world, several greenhouses, and ornamental gardens. During the summer, lush thickets of thousands of plants create a perfect backdrop for photos. Their mission is to "connect people with plants, especially plants from the Rocky Mountain region and similar regions around the world, providing delight and enlightenment to everyone". A photography permit is required ($100) and is available for purchase on their website. Dogs are not allowed at the botanic gardens.
RED ROCKS ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
Red Rocks Park is a quintessential Colorado location, made popular because of Red Rocks Ampitheater. The unique red rock formations create a stunning backdrop for engagement photos and a fun area to explore. Be sure to check the Red Rocks Ampitheater concert schedule as you want to avoid concert crowds! No permit is required for groups of 5 or less people as part of Denver City Parks.
BOULDER ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
There are several trailheads along the Boulder foothills that are popular locations for engagement photos (and for hiking and biking!). My favorite is South Mesa Trailhead. While it can be very busy on weekends, weekdays offer a quieter experience with stellar views of the flatirons and sweeping valleys. A photography permit is required through Boulder County OSMP. It's available for purchase here. Dogs are allowed on leash.
EVERGREEN, COLORADO ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
Along the I-70 corridor west of Denver are several beautiful engagement photo locations, including Juniper Pass, Echo Lake, Genessee Park, and areas near Evergreen, Colorado. These locations are easily accessible from Denver and offer a great blend of views and practicality.
NEDERLAND ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
If you're looking for a quiet and secluded spot for engagement photos, Nederland is a hidden gem in the mountains southwest of Boulder, Colorado. The town boasts it's very own carousel: The Carousel of Happiness. With 57 hand-carved animals on a restored 1910 Looff carousel and music from a 1913 Wurlitzer band organ, it's a unique and fun option to include for engagement photos. Closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Carousel of Happiness is just $3 per ride to maintain its incredible history.