The Best Adventure‑Filled Family Photo Spots in Colorado (For Families Who Want Storytelling Sessions That Feel Like Them)

If your family feels most alive with mountain air in your lungs, dirt on your shoes, and kids who explore every corner of the trail… you’re exactly who I love creating with. Colorado is full of families who crave something deeper than stiff poses — families who want photos that feel like their story. Real, connected, unfiltered. The kind of images your kids will look back on and say, “That was us.”

And the beauty of Colorado is that you don’t have to stay in one city to find magic. Some of the most breathtaking, adventure‑filled locations are tucked into the mountains, wrapped around alpine lakes, and hidden in places where the world is filled with less people.

If you’re dreaming of a storytelling session that feels like an experience, here are some of my favorite Colorado locations outside of Colorado Springs — and why they’re perfect for families who want more than a traditional photoshoot.

1. Brainard Lake Recreation Area — For Families Who Want Alpine Magic

Brainard Lake is one of those places that stops you in your tracks. The water sits still and glassy, the peaks rise behind it like a painting, and the air feels crisp even in summer. Kids love the trails, the rocks, the water’s edge — and parents love how much space there is for their kids to play.

Brainard Lake is about a 2hr 20min drive from Colorado Springs. This makes for a great day trip or for anyone who lives in or is visiting the Boulder area!

There is Brainard Lake which is easily accessible from the main parking lot and then I also love Long Lake. Long Lake requires a very short walk from it's parking lot through a beautiful forested area to get to it and then it's just a matter of how far you want to explore-the whole place is stunning!

There are a ton of other amazing areas within Brainard Lake Recreational area but these are my favorites for adventurous families!

I recommend parking at the main Brainard Lake lot and to get to Long Lake at the Long Lake Trailhead-Day use area. From May-Oct timed entry is required and can be reserved via Recreation.gov. Spots are released on a 15 day rolling window and the fee is $16 per vehicle plus a $2 reservation fee. During the summer the spots go pretty quickly!

I don't recommend using this as a family session location after the entry gates have closed in October.

This spot is perfect for:

• families who love alpine lakes and exploring nature

• dramatic mountain backdrops

• golden hour reflections and picnics

• candid, movement‑filled storytelling

It’s the kind of place where your family can simply be, and the photos feel like a memory you can step back into.

2. Crested Butte’s Lake Irwin — For Families Who Want Wildflower Meadows and Mountain Drama

Crested Butte is amazing of course but I freaking love Lake Irwin. The water is crystal clear-literally. In summer, the wildflowers explode in color. In fall, the aspens turn gold. The lake sits tucked beneath rugged peaks, and the whole area feels cinematic.

Lake Irwin is about a 4.5hr drive from Colorado Springs. This is definitely a great location if you're camping or on vacation in Crested Butte.

It does tend to get busy during summertime with campers but it offers a fun vibe. There's a couple of small waterfalls that are tucked away near a field covered in wildflowers that is a little less crowded with people.

I love shooting here during sunrise or sunset. Sunrise is better if you want less crowds as people tend to sleep in their tents before getting the party started. If you're super adventurous I know a hike nearby that will blow your mind but that area is better geared towards older kids or ones who hike often and are used to a little sweat.

This location is ideal for:

• families who want a true adventure

• playing in water

• wide, sweeping landscapes with tons of flowers

• sessions that feel like a mini getaway

Crested Butte has a way of slowing you down and inviting you to breathe deeper — which is exactly what makes storytelling sessions here so powerful.

3. Officer’s Gulch (in between Frisco and Copper Mountain) — For Families Who Want Water, Mountains, and Easy Access

Officer’s Gulch is one of those rare spots that gives you everything — a calm pond, towering peaks, evergreen forests, and super easy access right off the highway. It’s stunning year‑round and perfect for families who want amazing scenery without a long hike.

Officer's Gulch is about a 2hr 20min drive from Colorado Springs so it makes for a great day trip or for anyone on vacation near Breckenridge!

There's a cute little bridge here and plenty of areas to explore if you're up to it! There is a 1.7-mile round-trip loop around the pond for those who want to get a little deeper into nature-and it's a super kid friendly trail.

I love that Officer's Gulch is accessible all year long-as long as it's safe to get there of course! And the scenery is amazing no matter what season you're in. There are some rocks and uneven paths but it's pretty accessible for wheelchairs and strollers so if you need something ADA accessible this is a great choice.

This spot is beautiful for:

• families with young kids

• those who don't want to hike for their session

• playful, candid moments along the shoreline

• mountain views without the crowds

• easy kid friendly hike for those who want to explore more

It’s peaceful, open, dog friendly and easy to access.

Ready to book your own adventure‑filled family session?

If your family is craving something real, something wild, something that feels like you, I’d love to create that experience with you. Colorado is full of magic — and your family deserves photos that honor your story.

Let’s choose a location that fits your energy, let the kids explore, and create images that feel alive. Let me show you some magical areas outside of Colorado Springs for your session to get you the images of your family you've always dreamed of.

These are just a few locations I love to recommend to families who are seeking for more than what Colorado Springs has to offer. I'm up for the adventure if you are! If there's a location you're dying to shoot at or a spot you're camping at over the summer let me know-I'd love to meet you there for your family session! Whenever you’re ready, I’m here.

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Best Adventure Family Photo Locations in Colorado for Storytelling Sessions

The Best Adventure‑Filled Family Photo Spots in Colorado (For Families Who Want Storytelling Sessions That Feel Like Them)

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