Best Colorado Engagement Session Locations
Some of my TOP Colorado engagement
photography session locations!
Engagement session locations within 1 hour of Denver
As a Colorado engagement photography location scouting expert, I am here for feedback and location recommendations based on what type of setting you like best. Here are some of my all-time favorite photo session locations surrounding Denver, Colorado. When you start planning your engagement session, you can get an idea of what kind of backdrops fit your vibe as a couple! Click the button below so we can chat more about planning your dream engagement session together. I am here to guide you to get gorgeous, natural, and authentic photos while making that camera shyness disappear!
Bald Mountain, Boulder
Hidden gem status. Bald Mountain in Boulder, Colorado offers gorgeous sweeping mountainous views and sights of the city below. There are 3 different lookout spots and a patch of pine trees for some forest feels. The best part about this spot is it is PRIVATE, and usually we don’t encounter any other humans here. It is a 15 minute uphill walk from the parking lot and a 50 minute drive from Denver.
Chautauqua Park, Boulder
This popular park in Boulder showcases some of the best views of the flat irons. Grassy fields lead to many different trails where you can see plenty of mountain views, and even wildflowers during certain summer months. Plus it is an easy 5-10 minute walk from the parking lot. This park can be crowded but allows plenty of walking space to find privacy.
NCAR Trail, Boulder
NCAR Trail aka the National Center for Atmospheric Research trailhead. You may notice that there are a lot of gorgeous spots in Boulder. This one is no exception. There are flatiron rock formations nestled into the mountains that are visible from all angles. As opposed to mountains in the background, here you feel nestled into them. During Spring-Summer, the fields are full of lush green grasses. There is also a sweeping overlook of the city and mountains right at the beginning of the trail, surrounded by pine trees. The locations pictured here are a 15-minute moderately uphill walk. There is also an option closer to the parking lot that is flat and requires minimal walking, which can be great for surprise proposals!
South Mesa Trailhead, Boulder
This spot blew me away with how many different beautiful mountain views it has, and within only a 10-15 walk from the parking lot. It is also full of lush greenery and interesting foliage and flowers in the spring and summer! There is even a small creek with a bridge running over it. It is reminiscent of Chautauqua Park’s flat irons, but more private and with more plant life.
Gross Reservoir, Boulder
Lookout under construction, some areas are unavailable
CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR CONSTRUCTION. Don’t let the reservoir name fool you, this spot is stunning and definitely not gross. It offers elevated views of the mountains and water below. You can even hike down a trail to walk along the shore and get near the water. There are interesting rock formations and forested landscapes everywhere you look. If you like water AND mountain vibes near Boulder, here’s your spot.
Lost Gulch Lookout, Boulder
Lost Gulch has some of the most spectacular mountain views that you can get without traveling more than an hour from Denver. There is a reason this is one of the most popular photo spots. You feel like you are on top of the world, and it’s only a 3-minute walk from the parking lot. Because this spot is so iconic, it can be busy at certain times of the year. Because I schedule sessions at sunset Monday-Thursday, this helps minimize the crowds. If you don’t mind the sight-seers, the beauty is worth it. The 2nd photo shows a more private area next to the main lookout. This area can be very icy/slippery/windy on the lookout in the winter, so spiked shoes are recommended.
Mt. Falcon, Indian Hills Side
There are two different trailheads for Mount Falcon Park. This spot is in Indian Hills and showcases mountainous views and forest trails. Note that the Indian Hills side lookout (2nd photo) can get crowded, but there are other private spots 10 minutes down the trail that have similar mountainous views and a bit more privacy (1st photo). There are also plenty of patches of pine trees and anywhere you look here is gorgeous.
Mt. Falcon, Morrison Side
The Morrison side of Mt. Falcon has backdrops with the red rock formations from a lower elevation. This spot isn’t your typical Colorado mountain vibe, and showcases more grassy swooping hills with the mountains farther in the background. Perfect for couples who love those red rock views and rolling around together on a grassy hill.
Red Rocks, Morrison
Next door neighbors to Mt. Falcon, Morrison. Colorado is full of spectacular red rocks that make perfect backdrops for photos. Red Rocks in Morrison is just one of the many places you can see these unique formations. There are also driveable overlooks of the city and mountains below. It is a very easy walk around the park, and a 30 minute drive from Denver. There is also lush greenery and flowers during Spring-Summer!
Roxborough State Park, Littleton
What a special spot. Jagged giant red rock formations are surrounded by sweeping views of the mountains in the distance, as well as lush greenery from spring until early fall. It is only about 45 minutes from Denver, and a unique spin on Red Rocks Park in Morrison (with the added bonus of much more PRIVACY and room to spread out). There is even a lookout spot with mountain views in the distance and deer often make a special appearance. The trails are mostly flat and take about 15-20 minutes to get through the entire loop.
*May require a $60 permit, please allow 2 weeks before your session to process this permit.
Brainard Lake, Ward
*1.5hr from Denver, travel fee apply, may not be available during busy months.
This is one of my all time favorite spots that is only open mid-June to mid-October. The stunning lake is surrounded by sweeping mountainous views, lush fields of wildflowers and pine trees, and rocky beaches. This spot encompasses all of the natural beauty Colorado has to offer in one location. Plus it’s only a 2 minute walk from the parking lot, can you believe it?
Adventure session add-on: Lake Isabelle
Located next to Brainard Lake, this 1.5 hour hike takes you to one of the most stunning places I have ever seen in Colorado (and that’s saying a lot!) During the warmer months, the lake is full and wildlife, flowers, and green grasses are surrounding it. Because of the distance from Denver + the hiking time, this location may not be available during busier months and will be subject to Adventure Session pricing. This spot is also perfect for elopements. Inquire for details.
Echo Lake, Evergreen
Echo Lake has a similar vibe to Brainard Lake in that it includes both mountains in the background and a beautiful lake in the foreground. However, Echo Lake is open year-round and is about 1 hour from Denver. The mountains are more distant in the background here versus Brainard, but it includes plenty of beautiful foliage and little flowers during Spring-Summer to make up for it. Also, the sunset on the water can produce gorgeous colors. During the winter, the lake may be frozen and snowy, and is perfect if you’re a winter-vibe couple, especially because the evergreen trees stay green year-round!
Lookout Mountain, Golden
Lookout Mountain includes great elevated mountainous views, surrounded by forest and pine trees. There are plenty of beautiful green fields in the Spring-Summer months. There are multiple lookout points, plus it is easily accessible via a 30 minute drive from Denver. This spot can sometimes get mildly crowded, but there are private areas nestled in the pine trees. Some lookout spots may be closed for restoration and fenced off.
Chatfield State Park, Littleton
This is a totally different look than the typical mountains and fields of Colorado. If you’re feeling beachy and craving some water, this is the spot for you! The sandy beaches offer a cozy place to lounge and snuggle up on a blanket, and maybe even have a picnic. Run along the shores of the water and dip your feet in the lake to cool off!
Evergreen Lake House
Evergreen Lake House and its surrounding areas are lovely spots for weddings and photo sessions. Lakeside views are surrounded by distant mountains and evergreen trees, only about 35 minutes from Denver. Move across the water to a small beach and follow wooden foot bridges to explore the lake.
Alderfer Three Sisters Park, Evergreen
This easily walkable location offers plenty of privacy, many different trails to follow, and AMAZING fall colors close to Denver! This is more of a forest feel with some distant mountain views in the background. The aspen trees become vibrant shades of yellow and orange during the fall season and the pine trees keep their dark green color year round.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Golden
THE premium spot for peeping those early October fall colors and aspen trees! This area is close to Denver, and there are plenty of beautiful areas to explore within the park, as well as distant mountainous views. I adore the colors and trees here, even in the summer months it maintains its wow factor!
Downtown Denver City Session
I love city date night sessions so much! They are such a different feel from the nature/mountainous sessions you usually see in Colorado. We can stroll around town, grab a cocktail, and take advantage of backdrops like textured walls, brick, old houses, alleys, parking garage roofs, bridges, and parks that are all within our city of Denver (or its surrounding cities). There is a unique beauty to be found in an alley, trust me.
In-Home Session
One of the best ways to showcase who you are as a couple is by interacting within your own home. This is a chance to capture what you two enjoy doing together, whether that is snuggling in bed with your puppy, making tea, playing music together, or dancing in your underwear while having a pillow fight. These sessions can be slower-paced and intimate, or full of energy and movement (or both!)