As a Colorado wedding and engagement photographer, I may be a little biased, but I truly think that there are few places in the world more beautiful to get married than this gorgeous state. So if you’re planning a Colorado wedding, I’m absolutely thrilled! Of course, the wedding is only half the story. I believe that your love story deserves to be told in full, which is why I offer a complimentary engagement session with my most popular wedding package. If you’re looking for ideas on where to take engagement photos in Colorado, I know all the best spots! We can talk more when you inquire about your session. But in the meantime, here are my top picks for Colorado engagement photoshoot locations that provide the perfect backdrop to your romance!

My 8 Favorite Places for Engagement Photos in Colorado

1. Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) 

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular and beautiful destinations for people coming to Colorado for photos. If you want an adventurous and stunning location for your mountain getaway engagement photoshoot, look no further. You’ve found it! RMNP offers a variety of incredible mountain backdrops for your photos. You might even come across some wildlife during your drive in the park too! RMNP is located about an hour and a half from Denver, CO and about 2 hours, 45 minutes from Colorado Springs. This park does require a timed entry reservation and pre-planning process to photograph, so it is best to plan well in advance if you want engagement photos here!

2. Roxborough State Park

Roxborough State Park is located about 1 hour, 15 minutes away from Colorado Springs, and offers beautiful panoramic views of towering red rock formations. I think it’s especially pretty in the summer, when you have the contrast between rugged red rock and delicate wildflowers. There are so many trails within this park too, so plenty of places to explore for beautiful and romantic portraits!

3. Painted Mines Park

Painted Mines is one of those hidden gems that most photographers can only dream about. And it’s located less than an hour from Colorado Springs, so practically in my backyard! If you are looking for a unique open space that offers vibrant views of colored rock formations (called “hoodoos”) for a beautiful and quintessentially Coloradoan backdrop for your photos during your engagement session, this is the place!

4. Red Rock Canyon Open Space

It doesn’t get more convenient than Red Rock Canyon Open Space, located right within the city of Colorado Springs. This popular spot offers red rocks, open meadow fields, and mountain views so that you get a little bit of everything. You can’t go wrong with this easy-to-access engagement photoshoot destination!

5. Maroon Bells in Aspen

Maroon Bells is a VERY popular destination for tourists coming to Colorado. It is located in Aspen, which is about a four and a half hour drive from Colorado Springs. It’s worth the drive though. This park offers stunning views of Maroon Lake and showcases two of the state’s beautiful mountains (Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak). You might even get lucky and see the occasional moose here too!

6. Cheyenne Mountain

Another beautiful park located in Colorado Springs, this is the perfect spot if you are looking for a beautiful mountain escape for your engagement session. I know of some great trails that we can consider if you’re up for a short hike to get to your destination. (In these cases, I always recommend wearing something you’re comfortable hiking in, and we’ll change into your outfits and nice shoes once we arrive at our spot!)

7. Garden of the Gods Park

Even if you’re only vaguely familiar with Colorado, chances are you’ve heard of Garden of the Gods Park. An iconic destination located in the heart of Colorado Springs, this is a gorgeous vacation destination for both out-of-state tourists and natives to the area. Garden of the Gods Park offers 360-degree views of the Pikes Peak mountain range at High Point Overlook within the park, as well as breathtaking views of towering red rock formations. While the park can get busy, particularly during the summer peak season, we can always time your engagement photoshoot to miss most of the crowds. There are also lots of trails within the park that we can take to get off the beaten path a little and still get stunning views for your engagement photos in Colorado! 

8. Trailheads near Dillon, Colorado

I always love exploring trails near Dillon, Colorado or even Breckenridge or Keystone area, because you can find absolutely beautiful hidden gems that are off the beaten path and less crowded than some of the more well-known destinations! Dillon is located about two and a half hours from Colorado Springs, and about 1 hour, 15 minutes from Denver. Sapphire Point Overlook is a particular favorite for engagement photos in this area. It’s the perfect spot for couples who would prefer to avoid the crowds, since you’ll have the place almost to yourself while you take in the amazing mountain views during your engagement session. I can’t think of anything more romantic than that!

The Experience: Your Engagement Photos in Colorado

Just as important as figuring out where to go for engagement photos in Colorado Springs is finding a photographer who can help you enjoy your chosen locale to the full. As a photographer, I place just as much importance on lasting memories as I do on beautiful aesthetics. I strive to establish a lasting relationship with my couples so that I can really feel like a friend and help you capture memories not just during your engagement shoot, but on your wedding day and beyond!

Your engagement shoot should be more than beautiful. It should be jaw-droppingly gorgeous, and also fun, adventurous, romantic, and a fond memory in and of itself. If you want to combine one of the best places to take engagement photos in Colorado with an experience that feels just as natural and beautiful as the scenery, I hope you’ll be in touch! I can’t wait to hear from you!