Proposal Locations | Wish List
Looking for a Proposal Location in Colorado?
We are Too!
We are Too!We are always on the search for new proposal locations in Colorado. We hear from a lot of guys about what they want and we know what will work based on our experience shooting proposal photos but also from listening to what women say. This post is an ongoing photographer wish list for proposal locations we have planned out but not gotten to use yet. Often the reason for not using the spot is not that it is a bad spot but rather that if you see an example of another proposal at a location you like you go with that spot. The other factor is that some of these locations only work certain times of year. Were that is the case we noted it below. To understand what we mean above by planned out reference our Proposal Planning Guide.
Here Is Our Colorado Proposal Location Wish List:
Lake Isabelle – Ward
This would be a 2 mile hike one way into the lake from the Long Lake parking lot so it is an actual hike. The trail is very well defined and rather easy to hike. It is only accessible late June through early October without it being an extremely long hike. Due to this being an easy hike when the Brainard Lake Recreation Area is open it does attract a lot of people. On the weekend I would expect a ton of people around and having to park at Brainard Lake making the hike longer.
Dream Lake – Estes Park
We think that the name of the lake and its internet popularity is what makes it so sought after. We have a plan for how we can do proposal photos there and can likely make it look fairly secluded. It could take 90 minutes from the time of reservation to be able to get into the lake. Getting into the park takes time, getting into the Park Pass + side takes longer. You then ride in a line of cars where people stop to take photos of animals along the road. Once you find parking it’s a walk on on a blacktop trail for much of the way. They do this due to the amount of people that flow through. Late in the day we counted over 100 before we lost track but there were likely 200. There were still 293 car reservations available so I guess that means if most are 2-4 people per car you should expect 600 more people? We can certainly do it there but with 3 hours extra round trip + the normal drive time + shoot time it could easily be a full day event. The sky was cloudy rather than blue so overall the look in this photo was more muted.
Chief Mountain – Evergreen
This location is for anyone who wants to do an actual hike for their proposal. With Mount Evans in the background you cannot complain about the view. It is not far from Denver so it has more potential to work in the early winter and late spring when the snow pack is less deep. We are not sure what kind of winter traffic it gets but our guess is that it is enough to pack the trail if there are a few days for people to come hike it. Parking is limited but people can get creative on the side of Squaw Pass. It is an uphill hike of about 1000 feet that will get you above the tree line. It is relatively short at 1.4 miles one way. Even if there are other people around it is really big and open up there so we doubt they would interfere with the proposal.
Boreas Pass – Breckenridge
This location is ideal for the winter when someone is looking for a spot in the Breckenridge area. In the winter this road is primarily for snow shoeing and locals cross country skiing. From the winter lot it is a 5 minute walk on a flat packed snow trail. We have seen some couples come up there to just check things out so it seems like a natural place to go but would not be a random pull off on the road. From Breckenridge it is a 10 minute drive through a residential area. This photo was taken from the planned out spot with one of the lenses we would use. You could see an engagement session up here but it seems less in demand than some other areas.
Collegiate Peaks Overlook – Beuna Vista
Epic mountain views with very few people around make for an idea location to propose. We find ‘Overlooks’ are destinations for a lot of people but some just get too crowded with people. Unless there is a snow storm blowing through you can likely access this location. The image here is taken during the summer which is the ideal time. This spot is overlooking the valley at the 14ers along the Collegiate Peak range. The downside for many people is that this is not on the way to another location but rather in the middle of a trip exploring the mountains.
Shrine Pass – Vail
This location is a sure thing for the summer months. You basically drive to the top of Vail Pass then go up Shrine Pass. In the winter it is popular area to snowmobile. If anyone is wondering YES we have done a proposal while snowmobiling so that is an option for the winter. What we love about this area is that it is high up and no one seems to ever be around. For those staying in Frisco, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, and Vail it is a good option in the middle. It is a location that is ideal for sunset but could also work closer to sunrise if you love coffee in the morning.
McCullough Gulch – Breckenridge
This is for those seeking to go for a true winter hike in Colorado. The trail is just outside of Breckenridge at the Trailhead to the 14er Mt. Quandary. In the winter this is accessible via snowshoes. It is about a 1hr 15min hike in with a 45 minute hike back wearing snowshoes. In the summer this area can definitely work for proposals too but it would need to be once the snow melts and the road becomes passable for vehicle traffic. Most people in the area are going up the 14er which we are all for doing. It is a workout however and not for anyone not well conditioned to Colorado conditions – particularly altitude.
Other Proposal Resources:
We talk to a lot of guys with a lot of ideas. Some are good, some need some tweaks, and others have some limitations you might not have thought of for proposal photography. We believe in getting the best proposal photography and write these kinds of posts to help be an aid for you as you plan out how to make this special moment unique, emotional, and as much of a surprise as possible.
Proposal Location Ideas
Choosing the Location
Planning Guide
Proposal Locations Graduated From The Wish List
Pass Lake – Summit County
This is a pull off on Loveland Pass. It is a short walk from the car to the lake. In the fall the water will quickly start to freeze over and the area would be buried in snow over the winter into the spring. All that to say due to the high elevation it is best for the summer and works if you are staying in the Keystone, Dillon, Frisco, Silverthorne, or Breckenridge. The downside with Loveland Pass is that it is not a destination so the reason for going there would require a little more creativity. There is not a lot there so we may want to use some other spots nearby on Loveland Pass.
Rampart Ridge – Colorado Springs Area
This spot overlooks a valley with Pikes Peak in the background. It is a locals spot so it does not have an official name but has an awesome view. It is just outside of Woodland Park on some dirt roads that go to the Rampart Reservoir. This photo was taken in the summer so in the fall Pikes Peak would be dusted with snow and in the Spring have piles of snow in certain sections.
Long Lake – Ward
We love the views from this mountain lake and love how there are normally very few people around. The downside is that the location is only accessible mid June through mid October due to the winter snow. If you are looking for a summer or fall hiking location without being a strenuous hike this is a good option.
Alpenglow Stube – Keystone
This is for those who want to get the view from the ski slopes without the ski clothing. It is two Gondola rides up in Keystone. The idea is that you take her to a high end restaurant in a highly unique setting and step away for a view of the slopes beforehand. The days and hours will vary based on the time of year but it is a spot that is only open in the winter main ski season.
Summit Lake – Idaho Springs
This spot up on Mount Blue Sky (formerly Mount Evans) is only available in the June-September months due to the high elevation closures from snow. It is gorgeous up there and Summit Lake is a short walk from the car with no one in the background. If you are afraid of cliffs then you might find the drive a little bit much but everywhere you look it is beautiful Colorado mountain terrain.
Trail Ridge Rd. – Estes Park
The upside to Forest Canyon Overlook is the crazy beautiful view. The downside is that it is only accessible when Trail Ridge Road is open. The other factor that we weigh in for this location is that it is popular and that popularity will depend on the day. Most people walk out to the overlook and take some photos then come back.
NCAR – Boulder
This is on a trail that not many travel not far from the parking area. It has a view of the flatirons that works well for photos after the proposal. The reason why the spot we think would work best doesn’t have the flatirons in the background is the terrain is more sloped and it wouldn’t be a natural route to take for the best views.
Garden of the Gods – Colorado Springs
A lot of people like Red Rocks in the Denver area and this would be an alternative to that where the rangers are more relaxed with playing on the rocks. The rock formations here are very unique and you have a 14er in the background that will be covered in snow in the winter.
