9 Best Photo Locations in Northern Colorado

There are so many engagement photo locations in Northern Colorado, so it can be challenging to find the perfect one! I have chosen 9 of my favorite locations to help you decide on the perfect place for your engagement photo session.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Okay, we live only 45 minutes from a beautiful national park, so why wouldn’t you want to take photos here! There is beautiful hikes, rivers, lakes, mountains, and some of my favorite views. Just an FYI, it does cost $30 to enter the park (unless you purchase an annual pass). A few specific ideas for your Rocky Mountain National Park engagement photos are:

• Bear Lake: Just a short walk and you get beautiful views. This lake is STUNNING in the winter, and the ice is thick enough to walk on. If winter is your favorite season, this is the location for you!
• Sprague Lake: A flat hike less than a mile that will leave you with stunning views in all directions.
• Trail Ridge: Take a beautiful drive and get photos at the different overlooks to get a variety of unique images. End your engagement session at the top of Trail Ridge at sunset to get incredible views.

Old Town Fort Collins

Old Town Fort Collins is fun and lively and will give more urban feel to your engagement photos! You and your partner can walk around and find a variety of backdrops from fountains to flowers to alleyways. To make your engagement session even more fun, you could include a brewery tour at New Belgium Brewery, stop for a sweet treat at Little Bird Bakeshop, or get a appetizer on the patio at the Union. The most magical time to take photos in Old Town would be during the winter months – from November to February – because the Christmas lights are up and create a romantic backdrop.

Devil’s Backbone

Devil’s Backbone is a beautiful and unique hike in Loveland, CO. The hike is perfect for all levels of adventure because each part of the trail has different views. The trail head has some picnic tables and trees. As you keep walking, there are fun bridges which take you to the view of the backbone-like rocks. These rocks are an amazing backdrop to your engagement photos! If you are up for a little more hiking, you can make it to the keyhole – a hole in the rocks where you can see the mountain view! And a bonus, dogs are allowed on a leash at this trail, so bring your furry friends!

FYI: There is a $10 parking fee.

Sweetheart Winery

This is for all you wine fanatics out there! Sweetheart Winery is a beautiful backdrop for engagement photos with the added bonus of WINE! There are big, beautiful trees, a river, and a open field. This is perfect for your photos. We can end the evening with a glass of wine to celebrate your engagement.

FYI: There is a photo permit required to shoot here.

Hermit Park

Just south of Estes Park on 36 you will find Hermit Park. This area is so much fun for engagement photos because of the dirt road, aspen trees, and fun hiking trail! This is a great location if you want to include some photos in your car on a dirt road. The best spot in the park is at the end of the three mile road!

FYI: There is a $10 parking fee.

Knoll-Willows Open Space

This location is so close to downtown Estes with some of my favorite mountain views. And, there is a chance you will see elk wandering through this area. Both sunrise and sunset are great times to take photos at Knoll-Willows and will give slightly different outcomes! Longs Peak is visible if you walk a quarter of a mile, and you will also find some ruins that are a fun detail to include in your photos. Also, the Stanley Hotel is just on the other side of the road!

To be honest, this is probably my favorite engagement photo location in Northern Colorado!

Brainard Lake

Brainard Lake is a beautiful recreational area on Highway 72 just west of Boulder. This location feels so far away from city life, and it is the perfect escape for you! Enjoy nature, walk along the lake shore, and wander through the aspen trees. If you go here in the fall, you might be lucky enough to see the aspen changing colors. This pop of color is unreal and a beautiful addition to your engagement photo session. There are some easy walking trails to explore, and for the more adventurous couple, there are some beautiful hikes around the lake.

FYI: There is a $12 fee to enter.

Viestenz-Smith Park

Are you wanting all the mountain feels but a shorter drive? Viestenz-Smith Park is just a short drive up the Big Thompson Canyon and provides beautiful mountain views! There is a short path, a river, and some fun sculptures to include in your engagement photos. This park has been restored after the 2013 flood, and it provides very natural and scenic photos. There is so much history that encompasses this park, and it is a beautiful landmark in Northern Colorado. As a plus, you can enjoy a nice picnic after our session!

FYI: This location is only open from May to October.

Horsetooth Reservoir

Horsetooth Reservoir is a beautiful lake and natural area just west of Fort Collins, CO. My favorite place to take engagement photos is at the overlook on the east side of the reservoir. You get a beautiful mountain backdrop facing one direction, and the overlook of the city of Fort Collins facing the other direction. This would be a perfect place to take your engagement photos at sunset.

FYI: There is a $10 parking fee.

Changing Seasons in Colorado

One thing I absolutely love about photographing engagements in Colorado is that every season provides a unique backdrop to photograph against. Summer is full of beautiful wildflowers and late evenings. Fall is for cozy sweaters and changing aspen leaves. Winter is a wonderland full of snow and snuggles. Spring is fresh and bright with the beginning blooms of flowers peaking through (and the occasional snow storm!). Wherever you decide on, these engagement photo locations in Northern Colorado are magical ANY TIME OF YEAR!

Hey, it’s me, Rachel! Are you newly engaged and looking for an engagement photographer? Let’s chat and see if we are the perfect match! I can also help you find the perfect engagement photo locations in Northern Colorado for you and your boo!