Proposing at Lily Lake at Rocky Mountain National Park in colorado
Lily Lake is a not-so-hidden gem in Estes Park. I love Lily Lake for many reasons, like it’s right next to a magical nostalgic cafe called the Seven Keys Lodge (hello, fun photo op!), it doesn’t cost money (woop woop), and it’s also super accessible (there are more challenging routes around the lake or you can take a super chill walk if you wanna dress up and not hike). It’s also the first place I saw a moose in Colorado so don’t think just because you’re not paying for a park entrance fee you won’t see wildlife!
Here’s what you need to know about proposing at Lily Lake in Estes Park:
Proposal Location overview: A gorgeous spot outside of Estes Park where you can see the high peaks of Twin Sisters, Longs Peak, and Meeker Mountain. There is space for benches and picnic tables. Keep in mind - no dogs are allowed in Rocky Mountain National Park if you want your furry friend involved!
location: Just outside of Estes Park in Rocky Mountain National Park
website: https://www.nps.gov/romo/lily_lake.htm
booking info/pricing: it’s FREE - hooray!
lgbtqia+ friendly? For sure :)
Native land? hinono’eino’ biito’owu’ (Arapaho)
Size: Loop around the lake is about 1 mile long.
Features: There is a small deck if you want an actual platform to propose. Because it’s an outdoor venue, you can’t really set up much, like an arch or something else big.
Main Pros: I love that this incredible location is FREE!
Main Cons: In some spots in can be hard to see some of the larger mountains.
Congestion level: It’s a popular spot for sure, be prepared for a crowd!
Ease of Parking: Depends on how busy it gets, but easy if it’s not too crowded.
Best time of year? Summer and fall are the best times of year to propose at Lily Lake since might still be snow on the ground in May
Multiple locations for photos? Yes! There are multiple locations around the lake, but the front is the best spot
Cell Service? yup!
Extra CNP Tip: Go on the harder hike for something more intimate or set up an after-proposal picnic at the benches!
At this location in Estes Park, I offer elevated and timeless documentary styled photography for elopements, engagements, and proposals, specifically my mountain packages. With me you’ll get a good mix of candid and posed photos! Even if you don't feel comfortable in front of the camera, I'll teach you how to pose so you can just enjoy the day!
Ready to begin your proposal planning adventure? Let’s chat and get started!
