So you’re thinking of proposing at Rocky Mountain National Park? First off, congratulations!! Here is everything you need to know about planning and executing the perfect Rocky Mountain National Park Proposal.
Planning the Perfect Rocky Mountain National Park Proposal
Choosing a Season – The Best Months to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain has a wide variety of seasons and often is colder and windier than in Denver and Boulder. So take that into account when planning your proposal.
December through January is typically the coldest months, with an average temperature high of 38 degrees and average low of 16 degrees. Expect feet of snow and windy conditions. Some locations and roads are closed for the season during these months.
Things start warming up in April. Average temperatures have a high of 58 degrees and a low of of 27 degrees. But still expect lots of snow on the ground. Spring comes much later in RMNP!
If you’re wanting beautiful Spring wildflowers in your proposal photos, late May is ideal for lower elevation and late Summer for the colder, higher elevation locations.
The warmest months at Rocky Mountain National Park are June through August with average highs reaching 78 degrees. The low temperatures can still reach around the mid 40’s, so make sure you bring a light layer just in case!
July is the warmest month and the wettest. You can expect afternoon showers almost daily. If you’re aiming for a Summer proposal, I recommend a morning session to avoid the rain as much as possible.
If you’re looking for fall colors in your Rocky Mountain National Park proposal, aim for late September to early October. Fall comes and goes in the blink of an eye and depends largely on the weather and elevation. You can view the fall foliage tracker here!
Choosing a Time of Day
Expect the park to be super busy on the weekends. If you are wanting your proposal to be private, I highly recommend planning your proposal for a weekday or aiming for sunrise! If you’re wanting photos taken of your proposal, it’s good to consider the best lighting. Depending on the location, the sun can be super harsh until about 30 minutes to an hour before sunset, that’s when the sun starts to dip behind the mountain. However, there are so many great shaded options. As a photographer, I know all the best spots and will help you coordinate the best timing for each location!
Where to Propose in Rocky Mountain National Park
This is one of the most stressful parts of planning a proposal, especially if you haven’t been to Rocky Mountain National Park before! But have no fear! All of my clients receive an exclusive location guide full of hidden gems that I’ve spent countless hours scouting so you don’t have to!
Here are a few locations for your consideration:
Lily Lake
This location is outside the main toll station, which means getting in and out is super easy. This is a super underrated perk since most proposals happen underwraps. Just imagine planning your proposal, I’m on location and then the toll station has a 45 minute line but you can’t contact me without blowing the surprise. Lily Lake eliminates that fear.
Hidden Valley
Hidden Valley is a beautiful location that has ample parking (another factor to consider when planning, see above fears). There are tons of pines, which makes it a great location for midday. There are minimal mountain views but we can always drive to another location after the proposal for those epic mountain shots.
Sprague Lake
Another location with great parking options. This spot has one of my favorite mountain views yet is incredibly accessible and easy to reach. There is minimal hiking for a really great payoff in epic-ness.
Mountain Pass
This spot requires quite a bit more planning because there aren’t any great parking lots, however, if you want the epic mountain view that is sure to wow your partner– consider this location.
Because of the high elevation this spot often has crazy wind and a significant temperature change. Make sure to plan accordingly!
How to Take Proposal Photos Inside Rocky Mountain National Park – Permits and Fees (Updated for 2024!)
The new Timed Entry System
Rocky Mountain National Park has officially done away with photo permit for portrait sessions (you’ll still need a wedding permit). This means you will now have to utilize the Timed Entry System if entering the park between the hours of 5am-6pm, May 26-October.
When can I make a reservation?
- On May 1 at 8 a.m. MDT: Reservations will be available for the dates of May 24 – June 30.
- On June 1 at 8 a.m. MDT: Reservations will be available for the dates of July 1 – July 31, and any remaining days that have not been booked for June.
- On July 1 at 8 a.m. MDT: Reservations will be available for the dates of August 1 – August 31, and any remaining days that have not been booked for July.
- On August 1 at 8 a.m. MDT: Reservations will be available for the dates of September 1 – September 30, and any remaining days in August that have not been booked.
- On September 1 at 8 a.m. MDT: Reservations will be available for the dates of October 1 – October 20, and any remaining days in September that have not been booked.
Unbooked reservations will also be available the day before at 7pm for any last minute bookings.
What is the cost to enter RMNP?
Reservations online cost $2 and each car is $30.
RMNP now is only accepting credit and debit card payments at the entry
I’m sold, I want a Rocky Mountain National Park proposal, what next?
Yaaaaas!! I’m so excited for you! For next steps, send me a message! I’ll help you every step along the way, from helping you secure your permit to finding the perfect photo locations. I am your photographer and your guide!
View a Snowy Rocky Mountain National Park Proposal
This proposal took place in March (proof that snow is abundant even during the “spring” months!)
One great way to do a surprise proposal is say we’re just doing a photoshoot (anniversary, just because, or a styled shoot where y’all will be my models) This is one of the easiest way to do a proposal because we can be in contact before the session and we can meet up without the stress of me hiding and you being in the correct spot.
This “proposal” started at Hidden Valley and then we made our way down the road to one of my favorite mountain overlooks for the actual proposal. We finished with a quick picture in a meadow right by the exit.
Meet Leah – Rocky Mountain National Park Proposal Photographer
Hey there! I’m so excited about your upcoming proposal, I would absolutely love to photograph it! If you’re interested in learning more about my services or booking me as your proposal photographer, send me a message! All couples receive access to my exclusive location and outfit guide, permit securing and additional planning and resources. I can’t wait to hear from you!
-Leah
If you liked this post about planning a Rocky Mountain National Park proposal, why don’t you check out some of these other posts and resources?
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