During the summer months (mid-June through Mid-Sept), I lead photo tours out of Estes Park, CO. Most of these locations are high in Rocky Mountain National Park, anywhere from 8,000′-12,000′ elevation. As a result, the season for tours is short — generally mid May to late September, with a few trails suitable for winter hiking. It also is a hikers park, with many options requiring moderate to strenuous hikes at altitude.
Rocky Mountain National Park tour options include beautiful mountain lakes and waterfalls, as well as 12,000′ high Trail Ridge Road. Take a photo hike to Dream and Emerald Lakes, Gem Lake, or the waterfalls of the Wild Basin. Other tours includes world famous fall foliage in September, and sunset and night tours on Trail Ridge Road.
Tour pricing can be found here.
Any of the following can be included in your tour options. Assume 1-2 locations for a half day tour, and 2-4 for a full day tour. Multi-day tours are also possible. Have specific destinations in mind not shown here? Please let us know! Once you have dates and some itinerary ideas in mind, fill out the the contact form to book (or Inquire about) a tour, and I will get back to you ASAP with some options. See he bottom of this page for pricing
Most Popular Tours:
- Sunrise Hike to Dream and Emerald Lakes (1/2 day – sunrise (approx. 5-10am)
- Wild Basin Waterfalls Hike (1/2 day – morning to early afternoon)
- Sunset on Trail Ridge Road – photography vistas that include 3 different mountain ranges and the Continental Divide. Only available when Trail Ridge Road is open. (Typically Memorial Day to sometime in October)
- Night Skies tour – spend an evening up on Trail Ridge Road. When the moon is dark, this is one of the most spectacular places in the country for seeing the Milky Way and photographing star trails. Even better combined with an afternoon/sunset tour.
Other locations that can be added on the 2nd or 3rd day of a multi-day tour:
- Driving Tour of epic mountain views (1/2 day, anytime, best at sunrise)
- Old Falls River Road and Trail Ridge Road Loop (1/2 day – morning or afternoon. Can be combined with a night skies tour)
- Glacier Gorge hike: Alberta Falls, Glacier Falls and Mills Lake (1/2 day – best in afternoon -> sunset)
- Morning hike to The Pool, Fern Falls & Fern Lake (1/2 day – morning is best)
- Gem Lake Hike (Anytime, but best at sunrise or sunset)
- Fall Color Tour of RMNP (1/2 day, morning or afternoon, best mid September to early October)
By Car or By Foot?
One of the major considerations when crafting your photo tour is the physical capability of your group. A few of the most spectacular locations in Rocky Mountain National park are accessible by car, but of course, that means they are accessible to everyone, and can get crowded. However, we can put together a fantastic tour for those with limited endurance.
The ability to hike a few miles miles over sometimes rough terrain at high elevations can get you to more amazing places, often with fewer people. Hiking is required to Dream & Emerald Lakes (3.5 mi r/t), Glacier Gorge (5 mi), Gem Lake (3 mi r/t – steep) & the Wild Basin (3.5 – 5.5 mi r/t). Shorter hikes are required for Old Fall River Road or Trail Ridge Road.
Hiking Safety
Altitude: It may be obvious, but keep in mind that Rocky Mountain National Park is very high in the mountains. Most of the trailheads start at 8,300′ to 9,500′ elevation, and go up from there, often more than 2 miles above sea level, where the air is very thin. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuasly paved road in the U.S., and it tops out at 12,000′.
If you are coming from sea level (or close to it), I highly recommend giving yourself at least a day or two in the area to acclimate to the elevation. Even if you are in excellent physical shape, the effects of altitude are real, and altitude sickness is a concern if you try to hike immediately after arriving from low elevations. If you have asthma or other respiratory issues, consult your doctor before planning to hike in the Rocky Mountains.
Thunderstorms and lightning: some of the hikes listed here involve hikes or drives above treeline, where lightning strikes are a risk. Afternoon thunderstorms are common here, which is why most hiking is recommended in the morning, in order to get below treeline before storms hit. If we are on a hike or drive above treeline, and a storm looks imminent, I will cut short the trip to get us to safety. No photograph is worth the danger.
