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Grand Lake, Colorado

Looking for the best photography in Grand Lake? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Grand Lake. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Photography Spots in and near Grand Lake

  • Larimer County, Colorado

    Mills Lake via Glacier Gorge Trailhead

    4.8
    5.24 mi / 940 ft gain
    Start hiking at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead down the bear lake road in rocky mountain national park. The trailhead is very popular so it can be difficult to find a parking place at times. From Glacier Gorge, follow the obvious trail and signs towards mills lake. In the summer the trail will go p...
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  • Larimer County, Colorado

    Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trailhead

    4.7
    8.43 mi / 1780 ft gain
    Start at the Glacier Gorge trailhead on Bear Lake Road. Parking is limited so it is advised to get there very early. It's a longer hike so plan on taking a full day to complete or stay overnight to enjoy more of the scenery. Within the first mile on the Glacier Gorge Trail you will pass by Alber...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Backpack the Gorge Lakes

    11.5 mi / 3200 ft gain
    Start at the Rock Cut Parking Area. Head east on Trail Ridge Road 0.25 miles to a more gradual and bald western slope leading down into Forest Canyon. This bald is located between two creeks which merge before joining the Big Thompson River (a small creek in mid September). Use the creeks to navi...
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  • Larimer County, Colorado

    Bierstadt Lake Loop

    4.3
    2.93 mi / 675 ft gain
    From the Bierstadt Lake Trailhead on Bear Lake Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, you start out in lodgepole pines at 8850 feet high. But you quickly get into the aspens. In the breeze, aspens flutter or quake. It's unique sound as the leaves almost dance in the wind. The views and aspens ...
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  • Granby, Colorado

    Mirror and Crater Lakes via Cascade Creek Trail

    4.6
    14.94 mi / 2421 ft gain
    Start at the Monarch Lake trailhead (where there is a $5 parking fee unless you have one of the national lands passes) and follow the cascade creek trail around the north side of the lake. After about 1.5 miles the trail splits with the Arapaho pass trail, follow the cascade trail to the left as ...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Backpack to Odessa Lake via Fern Lake Trailhead

    4.0
    9.65 mi / 1890 ft gain
    Odessa Lake seems to be one of the true hidden gems of Rocky Mountain National Park. Don't get me wrong, you will likely see some folks there, but it is a far cry from the other crowded Bear Lake trailhead lakes. There are two ways to reach Odessa; one, from the Bear Lake Trailhead, and the oth...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Catch a Sunset Above Milner Pass

    This is a great place to be at sunrise or sunset.  Bring a camera & tripod and check the weather ahead of time.Take Trail Ridge Road all the way to the top and park at the Alpine Visitor Center.  There's a great view from here, but if you're interested in photography I recommend taking the tr...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Sprague Lake Loop

    5.0
    0.81 mi / 26 ft gain
    Located in Rocky Mountain National Park at an elevation of almost 8,700 feet, Sprague Lake offers visitors great views with very little effort required. It's a short 15 minute drive from Estes Park and hikers can take the short trail around the circumference of the lake. You'll find bathrooms and...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Hike to Cub Lake

    5.0
    4.6 mi / 645 ft gain
    Rocky Mountain National Park showcases 355 miles of hiking trails, 6 campgrounds, and hundreds of backcountry camp sites. The cost to enter the park is $20.00 per vehicle, I recommend buying the annual National Parks Pass for $80.00. Cub Lake is an excellent trail for viewing wildlife. There ar...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Hike along Tombstone Ridge

    4.3 mi / 3250 ft gain
    Tombstone ridge can be accessed via the ute trail from two directions. The lower trail starts at upper beaver meadows and is ~4.3 miles with 3250 feet of elevation gain. It can also be accessed at the Ute trail crossing along trail ridge road, which leaves you a 1.1 mile hike with just under 300 ...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Winter Camp at Moraine Park

    5.0
    For the extra-adventurous (my friends call me crazy for this), I recommend experiencing Rocky Mountain National Park in the off-season, when nobody else is there. Dead winter.Of course, you'll want to be uber prepared if you choose to take on this adventure, as the mountains are very unforgiving,...
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  • 40.387035,-105.610770

    Rocky Mountain NP's Trail Ridge Road

    4.9
    39.06 mi
    Start by entering Rocky Mountain National Park through Estes Park, Colorado. After acquiring a map start your ascent on Trail Ridge Rd (the road is closed in winter). The Road will take you up in elevation into the mountains so a good car is strongly recommended. As you wind up the switch backs,...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Hike Deer Mountain

    6.03 mi / 1200 ft gain
    Beginning in Rocky Mountain National Park near the Deer Ridge Junction (where US 34 & US 36 meet), park your car in one of the 20 spots on either side of the road. Start at the trailhead booth and head north, keeping to the right-side trail at the first intersection about a tenth of a mile fr...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Drive Old Fall River Road

    4.6
    This amazing drive starts after entering at the Fall River Entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park (although any entrance will work this is just the fastest route). Follow Fall River Road just past Sheep Lakes and take your first right onto Endo Valley Rd. From here travel to the Endovalley picn...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Drive through Rocky Mountain NP to Moraine Park

    In this specific case, the adventure is focused on the sounds. At night in September and October you can expect to hear the eerie bugling from Elk reverberating around the mountains. Even after an hour or two I was still getting goose-bumps listening to them.  Start your adventure at the Fall Ri...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Hike the Ypsilon Lake Trail

    5.0
    8.38 mi / 2000 ft gain
    To get to the trailhead, enter Rocky Mountain National Park on the 36.  Keep right at the fork with the 34 and then you'll take your next left and the parking for the trailhead is the first parking area on your right.  There is an outhouse at the trailhead too, so if you need to take a pit stop b...
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