Lily Lake engagement photos are the way to go! If you are looking for a dreamy mountain location this location is perfect! Lily lake has calm waters that if you’re lucky reflect the mountains and an easy‐access loop trail. Lily Lake is one of my favorite locations because it sits outside of the main area of Rocky Mountain National Park. This means you don’t have to sit in line to wait to get in, you can simply pull up and park! It’s also only 10 minutes away from downtown Estes Park, so you can explore or grab a bite to eat before or after you session.

Overall, Lily Lake engagement photos are perfect forcouples who want romantic, adventurous and timeless portraits. If you are an engaged or soon-to-be-engaged couple looking for that perfect location, this guide covers everything: why choose Lily Lake, how to plan your session, timing and lighting, permits and logistics, outfit advice, and more.

why choose lily lake for your engagement photos

Lily Lake checks many boxes: stunning scenery, easy accessibility and natural variety. Here’s what makes it shine:

Accessibility: Around Lily Lake is an easy, short loop trail that leaves right from the parking lot. The trail is flat and easy to navigate, even for couples in dressy clothes. You’ll find lakeshores, forest edges and boardwalks all within a short walk. There are even trails that go up the ridges of the mountain beside the lake if you want a mountain overlook that gives you an aerial view of Lily Lake below.

Location & Seasonal Variety: Within minutes you can capture: lake portraits, mountain backdrops, tree-lined intimate scenes and mountain overlook portraits. It’s nice when you don’t have to travel far to get a ton of variety in your gallery. Lily Lake also offers variety throughout the year, photos in the summer look completely different than the winter wonderland photos you can get later in the year. In the fall you have beautiful golden aspens, in the spring/summer you may find wildflowers and in the winter you can expect snowy peaks.

Less Crowds: One of the biggest benefits of having your engagement photos at Lily Lake is that it sits outside of the main part of Rocky Mountain National Park. This means you have more flexibility with parking, timing and less crowds.

Lighting: The lighting at Lily Lake is spectacular, especially during sunrise and sunset! The sun sits perfectly to capture the beautiful golden light in your photos. And even on a cloud day you can get the most beautiful photos.

When to schedule your lily lake engagement photos

Weekday vs weekend: To avoid crowds and secure parking easily, aim for a weekday. Fall weekends especially can be very busy.

Sunrise and Sunset: It’s important to plan your session at either sunrise or sunset, referred to as golden hour. This lighting makes for the most flattering photos.

Seasonality: Depending on the vibe you are going for you may want to consider what season you book your engagement photos. Spring (May-Early June), Summer (Mid-June – August), Fall (September-October) and winter (Nov-April). Each of these seasons brings it’s own unique backdrops.

Lily Lake Engagement photos: Permits, Park Rules & Photography Considerations

Park Entry & Timed-Entry Permits: Every vehicle entering the park needs a regular park pass, and during peak hours a timed entry reservation is required. Timed entry runs from May-October, 9am-2pm.

Portrait vs Commercial Use: Rocky Mountain National Park does not require a photography permit for portrait sessions (couples, families, engagements, etc.) however, for weddings and elopements you have to host your ceremony at one of the designated ceremony spots.

Leave-No-Trace & Etiquette: Stay on trails/boardwalks, respect wildlife and other visitors. Emphasize this in your client communications. You can see all of LNT rules here: https://lnt.org/

What to Wear for your Lily Lake Engagement Photos

Clothing tips:

• Coordinate without matching: choose complementary colors and textures.
• Consider earth tones, soft pastels or jewel tones to pop against mountain/lake backgrounds.
• Add pieces you can layer.
• Avoid logos and patterns.
• Bring a second pair of shoes for walking if you want to wear heels in some of the photos.

Packing checklist:

• Layers for temperature changes, being at a high elevation the weather changes quickly.
• Bring a raincoat and clear umbrellas in case of inclement weather.
• Small blanket if you want to do some seated photos or don’t want to get your clothes dirty.
• Snacks & water, again being at high elevations it’s important to stay hydrated and eat.
• Bring props that are important to your relationship.
• Printed confirmation of park pass/timed entry reservation.
• Hand warmers (for cold mornings or shoulder seasons).
• Change of shoes if needed.

Ready to schedule your lily lake engagement photos?

Let’s make your Lily Lake engagement session one to remember! Reach out here to get started.

If you’ve been dreaming of iconic, romantic, and adventurous engagement photos, Lily Lake delivers. With the right planning, the perfect time of day, mindful gear preparation, and a clear roadmap for your session, you’ll be set for a memorable shoot.

Meet Your Estes Park Engagement Photographer

If you are ready to book your Lily Lake Engagement Session, I would love to help you plan an incredible experience. Let’s chat!