Best Dog-Friendly Engagement Session Locations in Colorado
If you just can’t imagine taking engagement photos without your precious fur baby present, we get each other. As a Colorado wedding photographer and proud golden retriever mom, I love it when I get to capture the special bond between my couples and their pets. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of dog-friendly engagement session locations here. From urban parks to remote mountain passes, if you can imagine your ideal backdrop for engagement photos, I guarantee there’s a spot where your pup can come along, too. Join me as I dive into my favorites, all under 75 miles from Denver!
Why is Colorado the Perfect Place to Take Engagement Photos with Your Dog?
One of the reasons I love photographing engagement sessions in Colorado is that bringing your dog along is usually much easier than couples expect.
You don't have to drive hours into the mountains or find a remote trail to get beautiful photos. Many of my favorite locations are within a reasonable distance of Denver, Boulder, and the Front Range, which means you can spend less time in the car and more time actually enjoying the experience.
Colorado also gives couples a lot of variety for very little effort. If you picture yourselves walking through a pine forest, exploring a mountain lake, wandering a quiet meadow, or even playing in the snow, there's probably a dog-friendly location that fits.
The other thing couples often overlook is how different Colorado looks throughout the year. Summer isn't the only option, when we also get the beauty of when the aspens change color, the quiet spring evenings before the mountains get busy, or in the middle of winter when fresh snow completely changes the landscape.
If your dog is an important part of your life together, Colorado makes it surprisingly easy to include them without turning the session into a complicated production.
What to Consider When Choosing a Dog-Friendly Engagement Session Location
Not every location is suitable for every dog! Your pup’s temperament and physical fitness, among other factors, should influence the spot you choose. Before deciding where to take your engagement photos, consider:
The Environment: Can your dog traverse the terrain easily? If they’re a senior, a puppy, or a short-legged breed, they may struggle in some of these locations.
The Weather: Consider the season and the location’s climate in relation to your dog. For example, a pup who overheats easily probably shouldn’t join us for a summer engagement session in the high desert.
The Privacy Level: Does your dog get along with other animals, whether wildlife or other pets? If not, it’s best to choose a location off the beaten path to avoid any unwelcome altercations during the session.
For more tips on including your dog in your engagement session, get my guide!
What Makes a Location Truly Dog-Friendly?
One thing I've learned after photographing engagement sessions with dogs throughout Colorado is that a location being dog-friendly and a location being a great place for engagement photos with your dog aren't always the same thing.
Some locations technically allow dogs, but may involve steep terrain, crowded trails, wildlife encounters, or distractions that make the experience stressful for everyone involved. Other locations may not have dramatic mountain views, but they give your dog room to explore, relax, and simply be themselves.
When helping couples choose a location, I'm usually thinking about more than whether dogs are allowed. I'm looking at the terrain, the amount of foot traffic, the season, potential wildlife encounters, and whether the location matches your dog's personality and energy level.
The best photos almost always happen when your dog feels comfortable. A relaxed dog leads to a more relaxed couple, which creates the kind of genuine moments that documentary photography is all about.
Which Location Is Best For Your Dog?
Every dog is different, which means there isn't one perfect engagement session location for everyone.
If you have a puppy, you'll probably want somewhere with shorter walking distances and plenty of opportunities for breaks.
If you have a senior dog, a location with beautiful views and minimal hiking may be a better fit than spending an afternoon at 11,000 feet.
If your dog loves swimming, there are several locations on this list where they can cool off and play between photos.
If your dog is nervous around crowds or other animals, we can often choose quieter locations or schedule sessions during less busy times of day.
One of the reasons I love photographing engagement sessions in Colorado is the variety. There's usually a location that fits both the scenery you love and the experience your dog will enjoy.
Best Dog-Friendly Engagement Session Locations in Colorado
Brainard Lake Recreation Area (Ward, CO)
One of the reasons Brainard Lake is so popular for engagement photos is that it feels much farther from Denver than it actually is. In about an hour, you can go from city traffic to alpine lakes, mountain views, and trails surrounded by pine trees.
At just over 10,000 feet, the scenery here changes throughout the year. Summer brings wildflowers and access to the higher trails, while fall adds golden aspens and fewer crowds. Even if you stay close to the parking areas, there are plenty of beautiful backdrops without needing to hike for miles.
Another bonus is that Brainard Lake doesn't require a photography permit, making it one of the more accessible mountain locations for engagement sessions. During the summer season, however, visitors do need to reserve timed-entry access before arriving.
Wildlife, including moose, elk, and foxes, frequents this area (as seen in Carla and John’s session!). For more glimpses of this location, also be sure to check out Carrie and Eran’s session and Kelsey and Justin’s session.
Permit Required: No
Caution: This is a high-elevation location with unpredictable weather, snow in the winter, and some rugged terrain. Your dog should be physically fit and able to withstand the high-altitude conditions. Additionally, other hikers, dogs or even wildlife may be around midday, so it’s best to schedule the session early in the day or at an off-peak time.
Best For Dogs Who:
Love hiking
Enjoy swimming or exploring near water
Have experience at higher elevations
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre (Morrison, CO)
Calling all music lovers! This iconic concert venue, often ranked as the best outdoor stage in the world, is also perfect for a dog-friendly engagement session. And as a permit-free location just 16 miles outside of Denver, it also couldn’t be more convenient.
The park’s towering sandstone formations are millions of years old and look gorgeous when covered in snow, as seen in Callie and Ben’s session and Sarah and Jake’s session. But with lush green grass in summer and muted brown meadows in fall, this location looks beautiful in just about any season.
Permit Required: No, up to 5 people
Caution: Access to the park is often restricted on concert days, so check the event calendar before scheduling your session. Additionally, the trails surrounding Red Rocks are usually busy with hikers and other pups, so it’s important to control your dog.
Best For Dogs Who:
Enjoy shorter walks
Are comfortable around people
Love exploring trails
Lost Gulch Overlook (Boulder, CO)
If big mountain views are at the top of your wish list, Lost Gulch Overlook is one of the first places I'd suggest near Boulder.
The overlook is popular for both proposals and engagement sessions, which means you'll want to plan ahead and secure a photography permit before your session. It's also worth arriving with realistic expectations: this isn't usually a quiet, hidden location. On nice evenings, there are often other couples, hikers, and photographers enjoying the view too.
The tradeoff is that the scenery is pretty incredible. You get sweeping views without a long hike, which makes it a great option for couples who want a mountain feel while staying close to Boulder.
Kayleigh and Sean's spring session is a great example of what this location can look like when the weather cooperates and the light starts to soften before sunset.
Permit Required: Yes
Caution: The terrain at Lost Gulch Overlook is rocky, uneven, and occasionally steep. Additionally, the overlook is always crowded at sunset, and parking can be difficult to find. Your dog should be steady-footed and able to ignore distractions.
Best For Dogs Who:
Are confident on rocky terrain
Can handle distractions
Enjoy mountain environments
Guanella Pass (Clear Creek County, CO)
At over 11,000 feet, Guanella Pass winds through alpine meadows, crystal-clear streams, wildflower fields, and rugged mountain peaks. It’s known as one of the best leaf-peeping spots in the fall months and is lined with aspens (see Maggie and Jon’s session and Hayley and Nate’s session!). With parking lots, picnic benches, pull-offs, and short hiking trails, the Pass is accessible for most. Plus, it’s only 55 miles west of Denver.
Wildlife is abundant at this location, there’s always a chance of seeing a moose on the side of the road! The Pass is open to visitors from late May to late November. In winter, it closes due to snow.
Permit Required: No
Caution: This is a high-altitude location with some strenuous trails, rock scrambles, and patches of snow late in the season. Abrupt weather changes are possible. Condition your dog before heading here, and avoid wilderness zones.
Best For Dogs Who:
Have lots of energy
Love exploring
Are comfortable at elevation
Horsetooth Reservoir (Fort Collins, CO)
Horsetooth Reservoir stretches for six and a half miles along Fort Collins’ western foothills. At 5,420 feet, it offers sweeping views of the reservoir, dramatic rock formations (including the famous Horsetooth Rock), and grassy meadows year-round. That’s right, this scenic spot is even accessible in winter! However, it’s prettiest when the spring wildflowers bloom, as seen in Cristiana and Killian’s session. Note that this location requires a photography permit.
Permit Required: Yes
Caution: The reservoir’s swim beaches are designated “no dog zones.” The trails can be busy, especially in the summer, when the reservoir is a popular spot for swimming and boating. Additionally, the terrain around Horsetooth Rock is rugged in places.
Best For Dogs Who:
Love water
Enjoy open spaces
Like longer adventures
City Park (Denver, CO)
Denver dwellers will love this dog-friendly engagement session location, found in the city itself! With vibrant green space, shade trees, and a panoramic view of the Denver skyline, the park is a lush urban oasis from spring to fall. It’s a great spot to have a picnic and enjoy a walk along one of the lakeside trails while I tag along with my camera. This is a permit-free location for up to five people, so you shouldn’t need one for an engagement session.
Permit Required: No, up to 5 people
Caution: This is a heavily trafficked spot. It’s important to control your dog so it doesn’t bolt or get distracted by passersby, which may include children and other dogs.
Best For Dogs Who:
Prefer easy terrain
Enjoy city environments
Are puppies or senior dogs
Dog-Friendly Activities Make Great Engagement Sessions Too
One of my favorite things about including dogs in engagement sessions is that they naturally give you something to do, and some of my favorite engagement sessions have focused less on the scenery and more on an activity that already felt like part of a couple's everyday life together.
Go Paddleboarding With Your Dog
If your dog loves the water, paddleboarding can make for an incredibly fun and unique engagement session.
Rather than standing in one spot posing for photos, you're actually doing something together. Your dog gets to explore, ride along, jump in the water, and be part of the experience instead of simply appearing in a few photos before heading home.
The best part is that the photos naturally feel more candid. You're focused on balancing, laughing, helping your dog back onto the board, and enjoying the evening together rather than thinking about the camera.
Grab Coffee at Your Favorite Patio
If Saturday mornings usually involve coffee and your dog curled up at your feet, that's already part of your story together.
Visit a Dog-Friendly Brewery
Colorado has no shortage of dog-friendly breweries with patios, string lights, and relaxed atmospheres. It's a great option for couples who want their engagement photos to feel like a normal date night.
Take Your Everyday Walk
Not every engagement session needs to feel like an adventure. Sometimes the most meaningful photos come from doing something as simple as walking your dog through a place that's already part of your life together.
Don't Overlook Your Local Park
One thing I tell couples all the time is that your engagement session doesn't have to happen on a mountain pass.
Maybe it's the trail where you walk your dog every evening.
Maybe it's the park where they learned to fetch.
Maybe it's the open space where you spend your weekends together.
Your dog is often more comfortable in familiar places. They know the smells, the sounds, and the route you've walked together countless times. Your dog doesn't know whether they're at Lost Gulch or the park down the street, they just know they're with their favorite people.
Some of my favorite engagement sessions have included dogs.
They have a way of keeping things real, and couples spend less time worrying about what to do with their hands and more time focusing on each other. Sometimes the best photos happen in between throwing a tennis ball, handing out treats, or convincing a very stubborn dog to look in the right direction.
If your dog is an important part of your life together, I'd encourage you to bring them along! Colorado has plenty of locations where you can enjoy mountain views, open space, and a little adventure without leaving your best friend behind.
And if you're not sure where to start, I'm always happy to help couples find a location that fits both them and their dog.