The Top 5 Locations to Visit in Colorado During Spring
Spring in Colorado is nothing short of magical. As a photographer, it's one of my favorite seasons to explore the diverse landscapes this beautiful state has to offer. From blooming wildflowers to majestic rock formations, Colorado bursts with color and life during the spring months. It’s not to hot and the afternoon clouds roll in creating the perfect over-cast conditions for soft lighting. (Yes, cloudy weather is actually perfect for beautiful, soft photos!) For my future clients seeking the perfect backdrop for their photoshoots, I've compiled a guide to some of the best locations to visit in Colorado during the spring. And this is from a born-and-raised Colorado gal!
Rocky Mountain National Park
Springtime in Rocky Mountain National Park is probably the prettiest time of year to visit, with alpine meadows bursting with colorful wildflowers and snow-capped peaks towering overhead. It's the perfect destination to catch every single chapter of spring in Colorado. The grass starts to turn green mid-May while the peaks stay snow-capped. Some hikes higher up in elevation will still have snow/icy patches, so just be sure to bring good boots and maybe spikes with you if you decide to venture! You can usually spot elk and deer driving through the park, sometimes moose if you’re at higher altitude. Flowers don’t typically start blooming in the park till summer — July-ish — but the green grasses and blooming trees make is so worth a trip in the spring!
Chautauqua Park in Boulder
The spring photos I got most recently in Chautauqua Park are shown above and were taken late-April! These really shows how drastic the weather can be during the spring in Colorado, but also how magical and spectacular! The foothills start to get really green and it’s stunning — honestly my favorite time of year to visit the foothills in Boulder! Some of the grass blooms with little purple flowers, and you may see some pops of yellow too! Or, if you’re lucky like I was, get some icy fog that only happens maybe once a year. You can typically see the foothills crystal clear from this area, and it’s just a parking lot away! The main trail (featured on the right), can get pretty popular, but there are side trails you can take (featured on the left) to get away from the crowds if you’re hoping to have your photo session here.
The Great Sand Dunes National Park
Spring is the perfect time to visit the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Located in Southern Colorado about 4 hours from Denver, the sand dunes provide a unique backdrop that feels other-worldly. It feels wild to have so much sand in such a land-locked state. The weather is temperate but you may catch a few of those afternoon rain clouds if you go closer to mid/end of May as monsoon season hits the desert of Colorado.
I recommend bringing shoes that are good to hike in or just ditching your shoes altogether as you hit the sand. I find it’s way easier than trying to keep sandals on your feet. People often bring old snowboards or plastic sleds to slide down the giant dunes! They are tons of fun and so worth exploring or picking for your photo session location!
Definitely take a look at the Great Sand Dunes National Park Website to learn about any permits and keep an eye out for any weather watches!
The Foothills near Littleton - South Valley Park
There are a couple of really neat, red rock parks in the foothills near Littleton - South Valley Park being one of them! The trails are easy and well-marked making it a great spot for a little hike/walk with kids or dogs. Towering rock structures line the trail towards the south end of the park. Although you can definitely visit this park year-round, spring is the best time to go as the grass turns green and wildflowers start popping up early June! Just be sure to wear shoes you don’t mind getting dirty — all the dirt is red and can stain white shoes easily! No entrance or parking fees and there’s always plenty of spots in the parking lot!
Paint Mines Interpretive Park - Colorado Springs
The Paint Mines Interpretive Park is one of the coolest areas near Colorado Springs — aside from Garden of the Gods. Paint Mines is 1 hour east of Colorado Springs in a town called Callhan. You drive down some dirt roads for a while and all of a sudden, there’s this crazy geological formation sunken in the ground. The rock formations turn more and more pink and orange as you walk deeper in to the park. It really feels like you’re walking through a different planet!
Since it’s more east out on the plains, it can get pretty windy (you can see a windmill farm from the top of the hill), but once you get down into the formations, it’s usually pretty calm. You don’t need a permit for standard photo sessions, but there is a list on the Paint Mines Interpretive Park Website of rules and policies to follow to ensure the logevity of the formations.
Some Spring Tips from a Colorado Native
Colorado's springtime weather can be unpredictable, with snow one day and sunshine the next. Seriously! This year, we had a huge snow storm on April 20th and the next week it was in the 70s! I always recommend you pack a variety of clothes and especially layers. Sweatshirts, leggings, a puffy jacket or good wind-breaker…you may only need it for part of the day or the hike in. I always keep an extra sweatshirt in my car just in case it gets chilly, especially in the mountains during this time of year.
We are also closer to the sun here in Colorado! It’s been said we get 300 days of sunshine a year…and that’s pretty accurate so bring your sunscreen for sure! With the entire state being higher in altitude, our UV index is higher than you may be used to. Staying hydrated will also help you fight any sun fatique you may be feeling — I know I feel so drained from the sun the first few days I spend outdoors after hybernating inside most of the winter. Drinking lots of water will also help fight any symptoms you may feel from the altitude as well, especially if you trek into the mountains.
Spring is a magical time to explore Colorado's diverse landscapes — everything is green and alive and just so much more vibrant! Certain areas will great you with wildflowers and most likely wildlife as well. Whether you’re just planning a visit to Colorado or thinking about having a photo session in this gorgeous state this spring, I hope this guide inspires you to get out and explore all that Colorado has to offer during the spring months.
Find a spot that you really love? Fill out my inquiry form to book your spring-time session!
