LOCATION SUGGESTIONS
Eleven Mile canyon
Beautiful Canyon featuring a crystal clear river, bridges, creeks, open fields and forests.
- $10 entrance fee per vehicle
- Dogs allowed
- Horses allowed
- Sunset recommended
Garden of the Gods
Unique rock formations, rolling hills, forest, mountain views of Pike’s Peak.
- sunrise only for best light and less crowds
- dogs allowed
- horses allowed in some areas
Garden of the Gods Resort and Club
Beautiful reflection pond and landscaped venue with unbeatable views of Garden of the Gods park and Pike’s Peak.
- Resort charges a $500 per hour photography permit fee
- sunrise only
- no dogs or horses allowed
PASS LAKE 🌲
Ethereal fantasy land with lakes, creeks, wildflowers, meadows, and unbeatable Colorado mountain views.
The mountains light up like fire at sunset. 🔥✨
- $100 travel fee (2.5 hours away from Colorado Springs)
- sunset recommended, or sunrise
- dogs allowed, horses allowed
Downtown Colorado Springs
Clock towers, retro movie theatre, old building columns, vintage vibes, mountain views of Pike’s Peak. 🎞️
- sunset or sunrise recommended
- dogs allowed
GLEN EYRIE CASTLE
✨🏰Castle located near Garden of the Gods.
Beautiful historical castle, landscaped grounds with lights, colorful trees, lush grass, bridges, rock formations and wildlife.
- $150 per hour photography permit.
- sunrise or sunset
PARADISE COVE
Located just an hour away from the Springs, this hidden gem is one of Colorado’s most magical places ✨
Giant open canyons, creeks, pools, forests, swimming hole, and waterfall. 🌊🌲
- $10 parking fee per vehicle.
- sunrise only
Monument Rock
Forests, mountains, giant rock formations, flower fields and a reflection pond ✨🌲
- dogs allowed
- sunset recommend
SECTION 16 - BLACK FOREST
Dense forest trail with a beautiful sunset glow and flowers in the summer✨🌲
- dogs allowed
- horses allowed
- sunset recommend
Red Rock OPEN SPACE
Red rock formations, reflection pond, grassy fields, trees, views of mountains and Pike’s Peak.
Free entrance fee
- dogs allowed, horses allowed
- sunset recommend
Red Tail Ranch Equestrian Center
Horse ranch in Woodland Park with amazing views of the mountain range.
Forests of Aspen, meadows, hills, barns, a reflection pond, and horses you can rent with your session! ✨🌲
- no dogs allowed
- sunset recommend
Mountain locations with water that I recommend:
- Woodland Park up Rampart Range Rd - there is the most beautiful secret mountain lookout up there.
(There is also Rampart Reservoir nearby) - I recommend sunset or sunrise
Insane wildflowers, 360 mountain views, forest, meadows, dogs allowed
Here are some videos of that location:
https://www.tiktok.com/@meghanlaurenphotography/video/7520513247401757983
https://www.tiktok.com/@meghanlaurenphotography/video/7520509481160150302
https://www.tiktok.com/@meghanlaurenphotography/video/7388586311881329950
https://www.tiktok.com/@meghanlaurenphotography/video/7458710719463197983
- Garden of the Gods (I only do this location at sunrise for best light and less people)
There is also the option of starting at the GOG Resort where they have this beautiful lush grass landscaped platform with a reflection pond and amazing view of the mountains.
We would start at the Resort then take portraits at different pull offs in the park itself.
The resort with the reflection pond charges a $500/hr Photography Permit fee that would be paid to them after getting the permit request approved.
There is also a beautiful lookout I know of with the same view but without the reflection pond so we could avoid the hefty permit fee and I could just Photoshop a reflection pond or lake in your images.
Links to examples:
https://www.tiktok.com/@meghanlaurenphotography/video/7459767861825817887
https://www.tiktok.com/@meghanlaurenphotography/video/7514750342916066590
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14K3MoPc2Sz/
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Ayv28R67J/
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CHRgDmDee/
- Cheyenne Canyon / Helen Hunt Falls (sunset or sunrise)
Waterfalls, mountain views, creeks and rivers. Dog friendly
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CUwOjFcguC1/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCO3p9sA6zK/
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14FfYKAHDsb/
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16YwX5UNFk/
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Av1wzbGvC/
- Pike's Peak Toll Road (South Catamount Reservoir)
Mountain views, lake, forest, dog friendly
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19VFVCCf8j/
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HkdpAEi9k/
- Monument Rock Trail in Monument
Mountains, reflection ponds, wildflowers, forests, dog friendly, cool rock formations
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CPgDEWqmM/
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DAzhABVV1/
https://www.facebook.com/share/1PoynbNzmb/
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FjVVDVoNz/
- Eleven Mile Canyon Recreation Area (Lake George)
Beautiful mountain canyon featuring a crystal clear river, bridges, creeks, open fields and forests.
($10 entrance fee per vehicle, Dogs allowed, Horses allowed, sunset recommended)
Links to examples:
https://www.tiktok.com/@meghanlaurenphotography/video/7485974399091248415
https://www.tiktok.com/@meghanlaurenphotography/photo/7494381296349613343
https://www.tiktok.com/@meghanlaurenphotography/video/7389620998603148575
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1B8R7vX8Ta/
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AdL7nJWy8/
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1F9QReyKtV/
- Paradise Cove (located in Guffey)
Located just an hour away from the Springs, this hidden gem is one of Colorado’s most magical places
Giant open canyons, creeks, pools, forests, swimming holes, and waterfalls.
($10 parking fee per vehicle, sunrise ONLY)
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Zw6GUxgSD/
- Clinton Gulch Dam Reservoir (Summit County near Fremont Pass)
Beautiful alpine reservoir with wildflowers
Links to examples:
https://www.tiktok.com/@meghanlaurenphotography/video/7422874136407510315
https://www.tiktok.com/@meghanlaurenphotography/photo/7422771680902139178
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16t6ifTc7j/
- Mayflower Gulch Trail (right next to the Clinton Gulch Reservoir)
I have not been here yet but have been wanting to!
Giant mountain views, insane wildflowers, dog friendly, vintage cabin ruins, ponds, creeks
Link to google maps location where you can view google images:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Pcqns2m2o2KKCXQP9
- Pass Lake (Loveland Pass) near Georgetown / Bailey area
Ethereal fantasy land with lakes, creeks, wildflowers, meadows, and unbeatable Colorado mountain views.
The mountains light up like fire at sunset. Dogs allowed, horses allowed
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JUs6ajb9q/
https://www.tiktok.com/@meghanlaurenphotography/video/7391858338037779742
https://www.tiktok.com/@meghanlaurenphotography/video/7529615373369380126
- Red Rock Canyon Recreation Area
Reflection pond, mountain views, meadows, forest, unique rock formations, dog friendly, sunset recommended
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16zZD8EMJk/
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1J9Zac65Rh/
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18wAsMgxQR/