Location Guide A C O M P R E H E N S I V E G U I D E T O D E N V E R A R E A P H O T O S E S S I O N L O C A T I O N S A N D P E R M I T S
Your permit will make it legal for us to take photos in public places that were not originally intended for this use. It ensures that the public institutions we are using will be kept clean and beautiful for everybody! In some instances, it will provide the peace of mind that multiple weddings/sessions won’t be happening in the location we worked so hard to chose. Permit prices vary. Some locations don’t require a permit at all, and some permits are free. Regardless of price, most public spaces require approval and an application. I have already purchased some permits for an annual fee, and we have full access to those areas. Have an area in mind that is not listed in this guide? Reach out! We will do our best to make your photo session dreams come true! This is where I come in! When you hire me as your photographer, you are paying for my research, exploration, and permit knowledge that I have acquired while running my business. I am here to do that work for you! Permit FAQ WHY DO WE NEED PERMITS? HOW MUCH ARE PERMITS? HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED A PERMIT?
A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y There are a ton of gorgeous locations that will let us have our session for free! Applications still may need to be filled out and approved. Free/ No Permit C I T Y P A R K , D E N V E R C O
Guanella Pass DISTANCE FROM DENVER: 1 HOUR 20 MINUTES SECLUDED, MOUNTAIN VIEWS, LAKES, RIVERS,OPTIONS TO HIKE OR DRIVE UP TO SCENIC LOCATIONS SUMMER ONLY A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y
A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y C O L O R A D O S P R I N G S Fox Run Park Distance from Denver: 1 hour Trails, forest, pond C O L O R A D O S P R I N G S Red Rock Canyon Open Space Distance from Denver: 1 hour Red rocks, great sunset and mountain views C O L O R A D O S P R I N G S Pineries Open Space Distance from Denver: 1 hour Easy to access, wide trails, thick forest
Garden of the Gods A COLORADO CLASSIC DISTANCE FROM DENVER: 1 HOUR MOUNTAIN VIEWS, RED ROCKS A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y
A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y C A S T L E R O C K Columbine Open Space Distance from Denver: 40 Min. Big red barn, open fields and meadows, limited mountain views, no dogs allowed Fly’n B Park H I G H L A N D S R A N C H Distance from Denver: 15 Min Trails, pond, mountain views, very easy to access, tons of shade
A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y D E N V E R Washington Park Lakes and ponds, gardens in the summer, fun family park L A K E W O O D Belmar Park Distance from Denver: 15 Minutes Trails, pond, foot bridges, open fields, slight mountain view D E N V E R RINO Cityscapes, tons of street art, fun shops, buildings D E N V E R City Park Views of the Denver skyline and mountains, pond, Museum of Nature and Science
A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y L A K E W O O D Bear Creek Greenbelt Distance from Denver: 15 Minutes Close to town, mountain views, river access, footbridges, small pond G O L D E N Downtown Golden Distance from Denver: 30 min. Cute downtown area, old buildings, signs, bridges, close to the river G O L D E N Clear Creek Park Distance from Denver: 30 min. River, footbridges, fun old buildings
A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y Twin Lakes DISTANCE FROM DENVER: 2 HOURS, 45 MIN FREEIF UNDER 10 PEOPLE TWO LAKES, MOUNTAIN VIEWS, ACCESIBLE IN ALL SEASONS, OPTIONS TO FISH, BOAT, OR HIKE
A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y N E D E R L A N D B O U L D E R Barker Meadow Reservoir Marshall Mesa Distance from Denver: 1 hour, 5 min Mountain views, water access, reservoir Distance from Denver: 40 min Open fields and meadows, easy to access trails, mountain views L O N G M O N T Golden Ponds Park Distance from Denver: 1 hour Paved pathways, mountain views, ponds and trees L Y O N S Rabbit Mountain Open Space Distance from Denver: 1 hour Easily accessible in all seasons, mountain views, big open fields
Blue Lakes BRECKENRIDGE DISTANCE FROM DENVER: 2 HOURS SECLUDED, LAKE VIEWS, WATERFALLS, WILDFLOWERS IN SUMMER 4WD OR AWD RECOMMENDED SUMMER ONLY A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y
A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y B R E C K E N R I D G E B U E N A V I S T A Sawmill Reservoir Cottonwood Lake Distance from Denver: 1 hour, 45 min Forested areas, small reservoir, wooden footbridges, mountain views Distance from Denver: 2 hours 20 min Easy lake access, great mountain views, aspen trees, nearby campground I D A H O S P R I N G S St Mary’s Glacier Distance from Denver: 1 hour Short hike to glacier fed lake, rivers, mountain views- parking fee applies F A I R P L A Y Pennsylvania Mountain Distance from Denver: 2 hours Summer only, huge mountain views, option to hike in or stay by trailhead
A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y S I L V E R T H O R N E Blue River Trail Distance from Denver: 1 hour 15 Minutes Tree lined river trails, cute footbridges, beautiful color change in fall D I L L O N Sapphire Point Distance from Denver: 1 hour 30 Minutes Big mountain views, lake views, trails
Loveland Pass DISTANCE FROM DENVER: 1 HOUR 10 MINUTES MINIMAL HIKING, BREATHTAKING MOUNTAIN VIEWS AT 13,000 FT A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y
A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y F R I S C O I D A H O S P R I N G S Distance from Denver: 1 hour 15 Minutes Right off the highway, large lake, mountain views, trees, trails Distance from Denver: 1 hour 15 Minutes Easily accessible in all seasons, small waterfall on the drive up, evergreens, mountain views, lake Officer’s Gulch Echo Lake
Boardwalk Park WINDSOR, CO DISTANCE FROM DENVER: 1 HOUR, 5 MIN LAKE, BEACH, BOARDWALK, HISTORIC BUILDINGS, OPEN FIELDS, TRAINS A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y E N D O F F R E E P E R M I T S E C T I O N
A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y I purchase an annual JeffCo photography permit that allows us to take photos in all JeffCo open spaces! This price is included in all package costs, so having your session in any of these locations will not cost anything for you. Jefferson County is close to Denver, and it’s filled with so many beautiful parks and hidden gems, here are a few of my favorites! Jefferson County Open Spaces P I N E V A L L E Y R A N C H P A R K , P I N E C O ,
Mt. Falcon INDIAN HILLS DISTANCE FROM DENVER: 25 MINUTES MOUNTAIN VIEWS, HIKING TO RED ROCKS, FOREST, VERY ACCESIBLE, GREAT FOR SUNSET A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y
A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y G O L D E N I D L E D A L E Distance from Denver: 30 Minutes Vast mountain views, smaller than most other locations, ideal for shorter sessions Distance from Denver: 25 minutes Foothill mountain views, rivers, trails footbridges, a fun giant tree Windy Saddle Park Lair O’ The Bear Park
A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y A R V A D A L I T T L E T O N Van Bibber Park South Valley Park Distance from Denver: 20 Min Mountain views, sunsets, little pond, more residential Distance from Denver: 20 Min Red rocks, mountain views, open fields, ideal at sunset E V E R G R E E N G O L D E N Elk Meadow Park Lookout Mountain Distance from Denver: 35 Min Open fields, trees, mountain views Distance from Denver: 25 Minutes Mountain views, better for shorter sessions
Pine Valley Ranch DISTANCE FROM DENVER: 50 MINUTES CUTE GAZEBO, PATHWAY AROUND ENTIRE POND, BRIDGES, RIVERS, SHORELINES A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y
A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y M O R R I S O N E V E R G R E E N Distance from Denver: 25 Min Aspen lined trails and aspen groves, mountain views, fall colors Distance from Denver: 35 Minutes Cool old barn, mountain views, large rocks, forests, short hike to brother’s lookout Meyer Ranch Park Alderfer/ Three Sisters Park
A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y Apex Park Beaver Ranch Park Cathedral Spires Park Centennial Cone Park Clear Creek Canyon Park Crown Hill Park Deer Creek Canyon Park Flying J Ranch Park Hildebrand Ranch Park Hiwan Heritage Park Matthews/Winters Park Mount Galbraith Park North Table Mountain Park Pine Valley Ranch Park Reynolds Park South Table Mountain Park Welchester Tree Grant Park White Ranch Park Other Jefferson County Parks Not Pictured: E N D O F J E F F C O P E R M I T S E C T I O N I N C L U D E D I N J E F F C O P E R M I T
A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y Larimer County is home to many parks and open spaces in northern Colorado. Permit Fee: $25.00 Larimer County Open Spaces D E V I L ’ S B A C K B O N E O P E N S P A C E
A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y F O R T C O L L I N S L A P O R T E Spring Canyon Park Lions Open Space Distance from Denver: 1 hour 15 Minutes Trails, mountain views, trees, open fields Distance from Denver: 1 hour 20 Minutes River access, fall colors, bike trails, bridges
A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y Devil’s Backbone Open Space LOVELAND DISTANCE FROM DENVER: 1 HOUR, 10 MINUTES SHORT HIKE TO HOLE IN THE WALL ROCK FORMATION, RED ROCKS, GREAT SUNSET VIEW $10 PARKING FEE
A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y Big Thompson Parks Carter Lake Eagle's Nest Open Space Flatiron Reservoir Hermit Park Open Space Horsetooth Mountain Open Space Horsetooth Reservoir Pinewood Reservoir Ramsay-Shockey Open Space Red Mountain Open Space River Bluffs Open Space Other Larimer County Parks Not Pictured: E N D O F L A R I M E R C O U N T Y P E R M I T S E C T I O N I N C L U D E D I N L A R I M E R C O U N T Y P E R M I T
A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y We are so lucky to be in a place with 42 state parks! Each state park has a different office and permit policy, so it varies from location to location, Here are a few of my personal favorites close to Denver! Permit fees are separate from park entry fees. Colorado State Parks G O L D E N G A T E C A N Y O N S T A T E P A R K
A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y A U R O R A Cherry Creek State Park Permit Fee: Just the park entry fee! Distance from Denver: 20 min. Reservoir views and access, river access, great for dogs! P I N E Staunton State Park Permit Fee: $45 Distance from Denver: 45 min Easy to access, trails and mountain views
A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y B L A C K H A W K L I T T L E T O N Golden Gate Canyon State Park Roxborough State Park Permit Fee: $35.00 Distance from Denver: 45 minutes Trails, mountain views, forests, overlooks, perfect in fall! Permit Fee: $60.00 Distance from Denver: 30 minutes River access, fall colors, bike trails, bridges E N D O F S T A T E P A R K P E R M I T S E C T I O N
A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y Colorado is home to 4 national parks. National Parks are constantly in a very long and ever changing process of handling photography permits. It feels like sometimes permit information and locations we are allowed to operate changes daily, so if you want to have your session/wedding/elopement in a national park, let me know and I will update you on the latest information! Permit cost will not include park entry fee and travel fees. Colorado National Parks R O C K Y M O U N T A I N N A T I O N A L P A R K
A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y E S T E S Rocky Mountain Distance from Denver: 1 hour 30 minutes Gorgeous big mountain views, trails, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, scenic roads, no dogs allowed M O N T R O S E Black Canyon of the Gunnison Distance from Denver: 5 hours Very isolated, dramatic views, dark sky park, no dogs allowed M O S C A Great Sand Dunes Distance from Denver: 3 hours 45 minutes Sand dunes, river in the spring, dogs are allowed! E N D O F N A T I O N A L P A R K S P E R M I T S E C T I O N
A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y Permit Fee: $50.00 This includes most scenic parks in Boulderincluding Chautaqua, Lost Gulch, Flagstaff, Boulder Falls, Mt. Sanitas, and NCAR Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks
A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y E V E R G R E E N Evergreen Lake Permit Fee: $25.00 Distance from Denver: 30 min. Barn (when not rented for an event), trails, mountain views, lake views, lake activities, ice skating in winter D E N V E R Denver Botanic Gardens Permit Fee: $100 plus entry fee *Permit only covers 1-6 people Gardens, plants, pretty pathways, arches, footbridges, inside conservatory, looks different in every season
A M Y R O N K P H O T O G R A P H Y Does a park or mountain location not feel authentic to you as a couple? That’s totally fine! We can always opt for an in home session, or a session at your favorite coffee shop or brewery (with permission from those establishments) Other Options
I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME TO LOOK THROUGH ALL OF THIS INFORMATION, AND I CANT WAIT TO FIND THE PERFECT SPOT FOR YOUR SESSION! © AMY RONK PHOTOGRAPHY Thank you! Is there a park or area that you are absolutely in love with that is not included on this list? Get in touch! I will do my best to obtain any permits we may need to make your shoot the best it can be!