Rocky Mountain National Park Milky Way Photography

Hot Spot Location

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK – TOP PHOTOGRAPHY SPOT

Editorial Update: January 2026
Photography Location Guides & Essential

Are you looking for a place near you to do photography in Colorado? Pamela Goodyer, an internationally acclaimed and renowned photographer, has curated the best photography locations around the world and brings you all of the first-hand details.

Article is not AI generated. We traveled here showing Pamela Goodyer and her camera.

We delve into outdoor photography here in Rocky Mountain National Park, exploring this exceptional location to create dynamic pictures. This isn’t just about nature photography; it’s a journey to travel to the best places.

Rocky Mountain National Park contains some of the darkest skies in the lower 48. Astrophotographers and Milky Way photographers flock to this area at the right time of year. This ultimate location brings dark skies and jaw-dropping photography. You can see our suggestions about where to stay below.

What is most impressive about this location is the ability to see Moose, Elk, and the Milky Way. Rocky Mountain National Park is so dark that you can walk just a few steps from your cabin and easily photograph the Milky Way. While you are here, check our links below to see the best time of year to do Milky Way photography.

Furthermore, don’t screw up on this part. The Milky Way core is only visible in certain months of the year on certain days of the month. You will also need to know what time of night the Milky Way rises above the horizon.

In conclusion, put Rocky Mountain National Park on your list of places to do Milky Way Photography this year.

Rocky Mountain National Park Milky Way Photography - Pamela Goodyer

PARK AREAS FOR MILKY WAY PHOTOGRAPHY

This park is dark-sky territory. Scout it out during the day while photographing the park. HERE IS A PARK MAP.

MORAINE LAKE

It’s a dream destination for stargazers, offering unobstructed views of the night sky and mountain vistas. The park gates are open to all, allowing you to immerse yourself in the vast expanse of celestial wonders while surrounded by nature’s beauty. Just a short drive from Estes Park, Moraine Park is easily accessible yet secluded enough to provide optimal conditions for stargazing. With minimal light pollution and expansive sightlines, this picturesque location offers a front-row seat to witness the magnificent display of stars on a clear night. For an unforgettable experience under the stars, Moraine Park is undoubtedly one of the top spots to visit in Rocky Mountain National Park.

To reach Moraine Park, you must take Bear Lake Road.

SPRAGUE LAKE

Sprague Lake boasts a convenient location, making it a top choice for Milky Way photographers by night and nature lovers and hikers by day. Just a short drive from the charming town of Estes Park, the lake is easily accessible, with ample parking nearby. There is no need to trek for miles—step out of your car and immerse yourself in the serene beauty of this destination.

Distance: 0.8-mile round trip.
Type of Trail: Easy

BEAR LAKE

The vista transforms into a stargazer’s paradise, offering unobstructed views of twinkling stars and planets. For a unique experience, take a nighttime hike up Bear Lake Trail.

Distance: .25 miles each way
Elevation Gain: 20 feet
Type of Trail: Easy
Bear Lake Trail Guide – Summer

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO GO?

Months: The Milky Way Core can be seen from March to October, disappearing below the horizon for the rest of the year. It appears in the early morning hours in March and becomes visible earlier each month. The best time to catch a glimpse of the core is during summer, when it can be seen immediately after sunset, providing an ideal viewing opportunity for stargazers and photographers.

New Moon: Timing is crucial to see the Milky Way. This celestial event can only be seen on clear nights with a visible moon, limiting the viewing window.

Light Pollution: The best way to experience the full wonder of the Milky Way is to escape from areas with heavy light pollution. However, it may be possible to see some faint traces of the galaxy from places with mild artificial lighting. The most spectacular views can be found in remote locations far from cities and civilization. Check out our How to Section for more details, including using a light pollution map to guide you to dark sky locations.

HOW LONG TO PHOTOGRAPH THIS AREA?

This area can be explored and photographed in just a few hours. You’ll want to pair this with other great photography locations.

WHAT PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR SHOULD I BRING?

A Camera with a wide-angle lens.
A zoom lens for wildlife photography during the day.
Tripod – For shooting flowers in aperture priority mode.
Shutter release
Polarizing Filter
Milky Way’s list is below.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD I BRING?

Water and Snacks
Bug repellent
Warm clothes – temperatures drop drastically.

HOW DO I GET THERE?

Address for your GPS: 1000 US Hwy 36, Estes Park, CO 80517

HOW BUSY DOES IT GET?

Summer is a hectic time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park, as most visitors come between May and October. We went during the Elk rut in October, which was not bad.

ANYTHING ELSE?

They have a Hiker Shuttle; all passengers must book tickets in advance through www.recreation.gov. Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, and each party member must have a ticket. BOOK RESERVATION HERE.

A $2 processing fee applies to each reservation, covering up to 4 Hiker Shuttle Tickets for a maximum of 4 individuals, regardless of age.

PHOTOGRAPHY T-SHIRTS & MORE

Think Tank Camera Bags

The only bag we use!

GEAR LIST FOR MILKY WAY PHOTOS

Before you leave for your trip, you can use this as a checklist to ensure you have everything you need.

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 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 the Coast brand for flashlights. The ideal flashlight will have high lumens, and you can zoom in and out on the light emitted by 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. You can use the remote release or your camera’s built-in two-second timer when exposing your pictures.

CAMERA SETTINGS FOR MILKY WAY

ISO:

Start with ISO 1600 – 3200. This is 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’ll see star trails that won’t 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 calculate the crop sensor’s 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 light into the camera is; therefore, you should shoot wide open if.

WHITE BALANCE:

In live view mode, you can adjust your white balance settings and see how they look.

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, and then gently, without touching the focus ring, put the camera in manual focus so it won’t search for focus. You must do this each time you move your camera to take your next angle.

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

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK INFO

Entrance Fees Rocky Mountain National Park 2026:

You may enter the park with a Standard, Annual, or America the Beautiful Pass.
The fee for a Standard entrance pass is $15.00–$35.00.
Non-US residents (16 and over) must pay an additional $100 per person fee unless admitted with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass.

1000 US Hwy 36
Estes Park, CO 80517

The park has gone cashless – We don’t participate with any organization that does not allow cash, but there is still a cash option here.

Traveling only with cash? No problem! Visitors with cash can purchase most park entrance passes from the Rocky Mountain Conservancy Nature Store located at Beaver Meadows, Fall River, or Kawuneeche Visitor Centers.

Annual Pass – Rocky Mountain National Park -Available for U.S. Residents Only	12 months	$70	Not Applicable
7 Day Vehicle Pass – Rocky Mountain National Park	7 Days	$35	$100 for each non-resident (16 and over)
7 Day Motorcycle Pass – Rocky Mountain National Park	7 Days	$30	$100 for each non-resident (16 and over)
1 Day Vehicle Pass – Rocky Mountain National Park	1 Day	$30	$100 for each non-resident (16 and over)

A park pass is required to enter. MORE PARK INFORMATION.

WHERE TO CAMP

To make a reservation, visit Recreation.gov. Reservations can be made through the following ways:

Online at www.recreation.gov
Using the Recreation.gov Mobile App
Or by calling 1-877-444-6777.

Campground reservations cannot be made in person at the campground or at any of RMNP’s visitor centers. Some campsites are available on a short-term basis. Please see each individual campground’s page on Recreation.gov for specific campsite details.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS