Rocky Mountain National Park Photography

WE SHARE WITH YOU OUR PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCE

As we drove through the winding roads of Rocky Mountain National Park, our cameras ready, we couldn’t help but compare it to the stunning Canadian Rockies. While it didn’t quite live up to that level of glory, we still photographed many breathtaking shots. The park’s landscape was a mix of rugged peaks and serene valleys, with the Continental Divide splitting through its center. We were in awe as we explored the diverse terrain, from lush forests to rocky tundra. And amidst all this natural beauty, the highlight for us was spotting majestic elk grazing peacefully in their natural habitat.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND LOCATION

Rocky Mountain National Park is at its peak visitation in summer and fall, June – September. Trail Ridge Road is open only from Memorial Day to mid-October, but the dates may vary. The crowds are thinner in early June and later September. Fall foliage starts to peak in mid-September. The yellow Aspens make for some astonishing images.

Spring can be a chance to get some new growth, or you could still be hit with a blizzard. June will vary and can be rainy. July – September. On Trail Ridge Road, it can be 15°F–20°F cooler than at the park’s lower elevations. Wildlife viewing and fishing photography are good all year, but fall has the rut when the bull elks get active. The rut plus yellow aspen and fewer humans in mid-October are ideal.

A HIKER’S PARK

You can create dynamic, incredible landscape photography here, but plan to spend some time hiking to your chosen location to obtain your images. Many of the waterfalls and some, but not all, of the lakes are well off the beaten path. Two waterfalls are under a one-mile hike. Some waterfalls and lakes are up to 4 miles off the road. If you like to hike as much as you want to do photography, this is your park. We didn’t hike out to many of the waterfalls on this trip. Believe it or not, we’d rather do photography than go hiking.

WILDLIFE

Rocky Mountain National Park is the place for you if you are a wildlife photographer. Herds of elk and moose are one of the main attractions at this park. There are several areas where you will see signs that it is a public elk zone. If you go in October, you will arrive during the rut when the bull elk starts to breed. Grab some fall foliage and elk shots, and you are in photography dreamland. Several areas are known for moose viewing, but it is less likely to see moose than elk.

Any photography trip here could focus on wildlife. This is the area near the Moraine Park Discovery Center, where you can see many images of elk.

THE ELK RUT

For most of the year, adult elk tend to stick with members of their same gender. But during the breeding season, called the rut, fully grown males compete for the favor of female elk and will even try to protect a group of females known as a harem. To show dominance, rival males bellow and mirror each other’s movements while pacing back and forth. This behavior allows them to assess their opponent’s antlers, body size, and fighting abilities. If neither male gives up, they engage in antler wrestling, which can result in serious injuries for either bull.

THE QUIETER SIDE OF THE PARK

You will most likely find moose near the Grand Lake area entrance. Of course, early morning and at their dinner time is the best time to go looking. Take a look at the image to the right. Unfortunately, we did not get a good moose picture. It was taken before we ate breakfast on the Grand Lake side of the town in the Kuawuneeche Valley, where many moose call home.

We ate at Sagebrush BBQ and Grill for dinner and liked it so much that we returned for breakfast. Go early for any breakfast. There are lines everywhere at your quick take-out places. Better yet, bring a thermos in your suitcase, pack your meal to go and get out there early. Then, you don’t have to worry that the lines will hold you up. Lines were holding us up, and it was late September.

Some viewing areas are closed at night so as not to interfere with the rut. This sign says September 1 through October 31.

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ELKE VIEWING AREAS

East side of Rocky Mountain National Park:

Moraine Park
Horseshoe Park
Upper Beaver Meadows

West side of Rocky Mountain National Park:

Harbison Meadow
Holzwarth Meadow
Throughout the Kawuneeche Valley

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THE ALPINE VISITORS CENTER

The majestic Rocky Mountain National Park stretched before us, reaching a high point of 11,176 feet. There was a sense of drama as we made our way to the Alpine Visitors Center. The roads snaked up the mountain, with no guard rails to protect us from the steep drop below. Despite the nerves, we couldn’t help but admire the breathtaking view of Beaver Ponds at the Great Divide, the perfect spot for stunning photography opportunities.

But it wasn’t just during the day that this park captured our attention. We knew the night sky here would be a sight, which certainly didn’t disappoint. With the Milky Way shining above us, our excitement grew as we explored more of this beautiful landscape.

However, as we ventured higher and higher into the mountains, we couldn’t ignore that our energy levels were dwindling. It wasn’t until later that we realized it may have been due to our sensitivity to altitude. One of us had experienced dizziness and vertigo after arriving by plane and waking up at such a high elevation. Yet even with this challenge, we pushed to the top of Rocky Mountain National Park for some incredible night photography at an even more staggering altitude.

HOW TO PHOTOGRAPHY ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

BEST TIME TO GO

The autumn months at RMNP, or Rocky Mountain National Park, offer photographers and nature enthusiasts a unique and thrilling experience. The crisp air carries a sense of anticipation as the park enters its rut season, a time of vibrant colors and bustling activity. This is the prime time for capturing the majestic elk in their element as they gather in herds and engage in impressive displays of strength and dominance. The park transforms into a playground of excitement and natural beauty, offering a photography experience like no other.

This is also a good location for photographing the Milky Way at night, so be sure to check the moon phases for optimal photography opportunities. You can still see the Milky Way during October; the last month, it’s visible during the rut season. That’s why we like October the best.

HOW LONG TO PHOTOGRAPH

Exploring every detail of the vast and beautiful RMNP would take at least two full days. However, given its sheer beauty and endless photography opportunities, most people spend several more days in this captivating location.

HOW TO GET THERE

The park has two gateway communities: Estes Park on the east side and Grand Lake on the west.

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW

Rocky Mountain National Park will implement a cashless payment system for all fees and transactions at entrances and campgrounds starting June 1, 2023.

Due to our strong opposition to eliminating cash payments, we have decided not to visit this location anymore. A cashless society is called digital slavery. We boycott all businesses that refuse cash.

RESTAURANTS, CAMPING & WEATHER – SEE BELOW

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States, and for good reason—its views are breathtaking. Photograph Rocky Mountain National Park so you can come home with beautiful memories and amazing photos to match.

POPULAR AREAS TO PHOTOGRAPH

Many areas in Rocky Mountain National Park can be photographed. Some of the most popular spots include:

BEAR LAKE AREA

This is a great place to photograph the park’s wildlife, including bears, elk, and deer. It also offers excellent views of the mountains.

THE MORAINE PARK AREA

This is a great place to photograph the park’s landscapes, including its alpine lakes, forests, and meadows. From here, you can also get some great views of the Rockies.

ADAMS FALLS

Adams Falls is one of the most popular photography areas within Rocky Mountain National Park. The falls are located on the Big Thompson River and are easily accessible from the main road. There are several pull-offs along the road where you can park and walk to the falls. Adams Falls is a great place to photograph both day and night. During the day, the sun illuminates the falls and creates a beautiful rainbow effect. At night, the falls are lit by spotlights, creating a stunning effect.

MILNER PASS AND POUDRE LAKE

Two of our favorites are Milner Pass and Poudre Lake. Milner Pass is located on the Continental Divide and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The area has numerous hiking and backpacking trails, so there is plenty to explore.

Poudre Lake is a gorgeous alpine lake perfect for those who love to fish so that you can get photographs of people fishing. The trail around the lake is easy to follow and makes for a great hike.

GORGE RANGE OVERLOOK AND TRAIL RIDGE ROAD

The Gore Range Overlook on Trail Ridge Road is one of the most popular areas for photography within Rocky Mountain National Park. The overlook provides stunning views of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and forests, and many visitors enjoy photographing the scenery from this vantage point.

FAR VIEW CURVE

Are you looking for a breathtaking view of Rocky Mountain National Park? Then head to Far View Curve! This popular spot is located on Trail Ridge Road and offers stunning panoramic views of the park. Be sure to bring your camera, as you’ll want to capture the beauty of this place forever.

RAINBOW CURVE

If you’re looking for a breathtaking Rocky Mountain National Park view, look no further than Rainbow Curve. This popular spot is just off the main road and offers stunning views of the mountains and valley below. Visitors can also find several hiking trails nearby, making it the perfect place to explore the park.

DEER RIDGE JUNCTION

Deer Ridge Junction is one of Rocky Mountain National Park’s most popular areas. It is known for its stunning views, abundant wildlife, and easy access to various hiking trails.

One of the most popular trails in the area is the Deer Ridge Trail, which offers hikers beautiful views of the valley below. The trail is also great for seeing various wildlife, including deer, elk, and bighorn sheep.

Another excellent option for hikers is the Emerald Lake Trail. This trail takes hikers to Emerald Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in the park. Along the way, hikers will also pass by Dream Lake and Nymph Lake.

The Flattop Mountain Trail is an excellent option for a more challenging hike. This trail leads to the summit of Flattop Mountain, which offers stunning 360-degree views of the surrounding area.

No matter what your hiking level, Deer Ridge Junction has a trail that’s perfect for you. So come on and enjoy all this fantastic area has to offer.

HOW TO GET TO ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PAK

Rocky Mountain National Park is in north-central Colorado, about an hour and a half away from Denver. To get there, take Interstate 70 west from Denver and exit at the town of Estes Park. From there, follow the park’s signs.

PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR LIST

A sturdy tripod will be vital for getting Milky Way and Waterfall shots.
A wide-angle lens will help you fit the majestic mountains into your frame.
Bring a telephoto lens and monopod for wildlife photography to help stabilize your camera.
Pack plenty of extra batteries and memory cards, as you’ll likely take many photos.
Bring your macro lens to photograph the vast landscapes and intricate details of the surrounding nature.
Pack an array of filters, from UV to polarized to take the glare off the water and neutral density filters for long exposure to milky water effects.
Bring a spare set of fully charged batteries and extra memory cards; you never know when a perfect shot will present itself, and the last thing you want is your camera battery.

WHAT ELSE TO BRING – A PACKING LIST

Organic bug repellent. (Nonorganic is very toxic)
Organic Sun protection. (Non-organic sunscreen is a cancer cause.)
Durable hiking boots for any trail or terrain you may encounter.
Have a waterproof backpack or rain cover to protect your equipment.
Packaging a rain jacket and long pants.
A hat and sunglasses to shield yourself from the elements.
A thermos for Milky Way photography nights.
Navigation tools such as a map and compass. A smartphone with a GPS app works.
First-aid kit
Knife or multi-tool

Photography Information

Here is some basic information for your trip. You can find more detailed instructions on some of our other pages.

SURVIVAL FOOD

WHERE TO STAY

STAY AT COLORADO CABIN ADVENTURES CABINS

Top places to stay list. On the west side of the Park, Colorado Cabin Adventures

The west side of the park is the less traveled side. Our cabin at Colorado Cabin Adventure, located in Grand Lake, had a fireplace and rustic accommodations.

We woke up to deer right before our finely restored rustic cabin. It is only a short walk out back, where the moose live near the pond and the lake. We did Milky Way photography right there without even driving. The staff is a ten on our scale. You could not get any better. Resident Manager Deborah McCord is right on location and one of the nicest people we have ever met.

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado use this one delete othe

Park behind Colorado Cabin Adventures – Moose are found near this lake and marshy area.

See the Full Article on Colorado Cabin Adventure.

THE INN ON FALLS RIVER – STAY HERE

Book your stay here on the east side of the Park – Inn on Fall River. 1660 Fall River Road, Estes Park, CO 80517.,(970) 586-4118, (800) 255-4118

On the park’s east side, our favorite pick is the Inn on Falls River. It is located near the entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park and is the perfect setting for a memorable photography journey.

Every room here at the Inn has special touches creating a sense of home and comfort; each room includes a wood-burning fireplace, gas grill, a private patio on the bank of Fall River, a kitchenette (including a microwave, toaster, and coffee pot), access to a shared hot tub and more. Cabin Amenities Include two bedrooms – Recently remodeled full bath – Private hot tub – Private outdoor fire pit – Wood-burning Fireplace – Gas grill on the patio – Full kitchen with gas stove, utensils, cookware, and small appliances – Riverside views of Fall River – Updated, color TVs with HBO and Disney – Towels, linens, robes for the hot tub.

SHUTTER PRIORITY

If you have moving subjects, you will want to shoot in shutter priority to ensure your shutter speed is high enough to have your subject in sharp focus. Approximately 1/250th of a second is appropriate for people walking by, and adjust your ISO accordingly. If they run fast, increase your shutter speed to about 1/500th of a second. A fast bird flying by would be shot at about 1/1000th of a second. If it’s a bright sunny day, go as high as 1/1200th of a second. Remember, the higher your shutter speed; the less light comes into the camera. It should not be an issue outside during daytime hours. For More Details, see our Shutter Priority Page.

MANUAL MODE

You have moving waters here. You can do your long-exposure running and milky water shots. You will have to use a tripod for this effect. Your settings will vary depending on the lighting and your neutral density filter. You will shoot in manual mode for the milky waters. ISO is always 100 or as low as your camera will allow. The aperture is f22. Your shutter speed will be the only variable depending on the light. Roll your shutter speed until your meter reads zero. (In the center) Use your shutter release or your 2-second timer to prevent camera movement when exposing. You will want at least a 2-second exposure for milky water. If you don’t have a neutral density filter, you may not get more than 1/15th of a second in the sun.

If you don’t have a neutral density filter, you can buy one here. We highly suggest you do not go anywhere without one. It makes all the difference between lifeless images and outstanding, dynamic images.

APERTURE PRIORITY

Aperture Priority is often used to blur the background of your images and control your depth of field (how much from the subject to the background is in focus). For more information on this – see our Aperture page

ISO

The higher you set it, the more light is when exposing an image. The higher the number, the more digital noise, so if possible, stay below 800. If you need to go higher to get the shot, you can use Topaz Denoise to filter out the digital noise later.

NATIONAL PARK AREA INFORMATION

AREA INFO

ENTRANCE FEES:

“Day Use Pass” will be $20, while the weekly pass will increase to $30; Annual Passes are $50. Rocky Mountain National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, weather permitting.

Phone:

970 586-1206
The Information Office is open year-round: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily in summer; 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Mondays – Fridays; and 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Saturdays – Sundays in winter. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222.

HOTEL INFO

COLORADO CABIN ADVENTURE

Phone: 970-509-0810
info@coloradocabinadventures.com

12082 US Highway 34
Grand Lake, Colorado 80447

The Inn on Falls River Information

1660 Fall River Rd, Estes Park, CO 80517
800.255.4118
info@innonfallriver.com

CAMPING

MANOR PARK OF ESTES

800-344-3256

Spend the night or the whole summer with them. They offer nightly, weekly, monthly and seasonal rentals. Centrally located between Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park, you’ll see wildlife and enjoy fishing on the Big Thompson River (with license).

15 – October 15. 970-586-3251.

Great location! 5 minutes to Rocky Mountain Natl Park

JELLYSTONE PARK OF ESTES

5495 US-36, Estes Park, CO 80517

970-586-4230

Surrounded by Roosevelt National Forest, Jellystone Park of Estes is the perfect Campground and RV Park for your family to explore nature at its best! Relax in nature, or join their planned activities for “kids” of all ages. A variety of sites are set among towering Ponderosa pines where wildlife abounds. Weekend Pancake Breakfasts. Pet-friendly campsites!

SEVEN PINES CAMPGROUND

(970) 586-3809

HERMIT PARK OPEN SPACE

800-397-7795

FOOD & DINING

Add Your Restaurant Here. Do you want us to send our photography and ghost-hunting friends to your Restaurant after their ghost-hunting or photography trip? Put your restaurant information here. We will put a picture of your establishment, the website link, the phone number, and your information in your restaurant to make it easy for our photographers and ghost hunters to find you.

WEATHER

Click here to see what the weather is like in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Don’t forget that you can use a rain sleeve on your camera if it is raining. If it is bright and sunny, you want to use a low ISO such as 50 or 100.

If you photograph cloudy days, you can do running water or waterfall photography to help avoid the glaring sun. You can also use an ND filter to get long exposure for dramatic effects, even in the sunshine. If you ghost hunt indoors in abandoned places, be careful!

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GEAR LIST FOR SHOOTING MILKY WAY

LIGHT POLLUTION MAP:

Light pollution map

CAMERA:

You will need a camera to manually control your ISO, shutter speed, and aperture.

LENS:

A fast, wide-angle lens of 1.4 – 2.8 is ideal. If you use a 3.5 or higher (slower lens), you must increase the ISO. The higher the ISO, the more grain or digital noise or grain will appear in your photos.

TRIOPD:

A good, sturdy tripod is essential for night photography. If it gets windy, you will need a sturdy one. Remember that when you buy one, it should be sturdy enough to withstand the wind but small enough to fit in your suitcase.

SKY MAP:

Sky Guide is available through the iTunes Store for $1.99. It has a 5 out of 5-star rating on both the current (3.2) version (1200+ ratings) and all previous versions (8600+ ratings).

FLASHLIGHT:

Our choice is Coast brand for flashlights. The ideal flashlight will have high lumens, and you can zoom in and out on the light emitting from the flashlight. Get the HP7, PX45, or the G50. Ideally, go with the HP7.

MOON PHAZE MAP:

The best time to go is during a new moon; you want to be in the darkest area possible. The week before the new moon, when the moon has not risen, is a perfect time to go, so be sure to check the moonrise chart to see when the moon will be up.

REMOTE SHUTTER RELEASE:

When painting with light and over a 30-second exposure, you must have a shutter release to use your bulb mode. When exposing your pictures in general, you can use the remote release or use your camera’s built-in two-second timer.

CAMERA SETTINGS FOR MILKY WAY

ISO:

Start with ISO 1600 – 3200. This is just a common starting point, and you will adjust from here.

Shutter Speed – Remember, the earth is rotating. If you leave the shutter open for too long, you will see star trails that will not make for a crisp image. We want crisp, non-star trail images. Here is the formula to avoid star trails—the 500 rule – Divide 500 by the focal length of your lens. So, if you have a 24mm lens on a full-frame camera, you will set your shutter speed to 20 sec. (500/24 = 20.83). If you are using a crop sensor camera, first do the math of the crop sensor to find the focal length. Cannon is 1.6, Nikon is 1.5. Convert to full-frame focal length, then use the formula. Nikon 18mm x 1.5= 27mm – 500/27 = 18.51 seconds.

APERTURE:

Depth of field isn’t critical on these shots, but letting the light into the camera is; therefore, you should shoot wide open if. If the depth of field is essential to you, try not to go too high. (wide open =the lowest aperture your camera will allow). You will have to increase the ISO some, giving you digital noise.

SHUTTER SPEED:

Now that the ISO and aperture are set in manual mode, roll your shutter speed until your meter reads (0) zero. Take a test shot and adjust from there. Remember, the earth is rotating. If you leave the shutter open for too long, you will see star trails that will not make for a crisp image. You can make star trails specifically, but that’s not what we are going for here since we started with Milky Way photography. We want crisp, non-star trail images when doing this.

Here is the formula to avoid star trails—the 500 rule – Divide 500 by the focal length of your lens. So, if you have a 24mm lens on a full-frame camera, you will set your shutter speed to 20 sec. (500/24 = 20.83). If you are using a crop sensor camera, first do the math of the crop sensor to find the focal length. Cannon is 1.6, Nikon is 1.5. Convert to full-frame focal length, then use the formula. Nikon 18mm x 1.5= 27mm – 500/27 = 18.51 seconds.

WHITE BALANCE:

In live view mode, you can change your white balance settings and see what it will look like. You can shoot in shade or cloud mode as a standard setting and adjust things later when editing.

LIVE VIEW:

To focus in the dark, use your camera’s live view, hit the zoom button, and focus on a bright star. You can also use the infinity setting on your lens but do several test shots to determine accuracy. It can be off a little on some lenses. You can also light it up with a flashlight, focus, then gently, without touching the focus ring, put the camera in manual focus so it will not search for the focus. You must do this each time you move your camera to take your next angel.

WHEN TO VIEW THE MILKY WAY:

The best images are usually of the dense part of the Milky Way. We can see this part of the milk way in the southern sky. During March, April, and May, the Milky Way rises above the horizon in the pre-dawn hours. In June, at about 10:00 p.m., you will see the Milky Way. From July until October, you can see the Milky Way as soon as it sunsets, and it becomes dark enough to see about an hour after sunset. In November, the Milky Way no longer comes above the horizon. You will have to wait until March if you want to stay away really late or get up early to see her again.

See our Milky Way Hot Spot Locator and our Night Photography Information.