Will proposed to Erika at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park during a trip to Colorado in the fall with their parents. Traveling from Texas, Will wanted a scenic spot that showcased the stunning Colorado mountains while allowing them to include their parents in the celebration. Bear Lake offered the perfect combination of alpine scenery and accessibility for a family-friendly proposal.
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rocky mountain National Park proposal - bear Lake
Bear Lake Fall Proposal Story— Will & Erika
Quick Snapshot of this rocky mountain National Park bear Lake Proposal Location
- Walking Distance: 1 mile (out and back or all the way around the lake)
- Privacy Level: Low - Medium (can be crowded depending on season and time of day)
- Scenery: Forest, Mountain Views, Alpine Lake
- Elevation: Approximately 9,400 ft
- Best Time of Day: Lighting is nice throughout the day
- Approximate Driving Distance from Denver: 2 hours
- Reasons to Go Here? Scenic Walk along Lake Shore
- Accessible During What Seasons?: Year Round
- Dog Friendly?: No
- Misc Notes: A timed-entry permit is required from 5 a.m.–6 p.m during the months of May-October. Sometimes you need to take a shuttle to the parking lot here because the parking lot fills fast.
Will prioritized capturing the proposal moment and including their parents, which meant finding a short, flat, easy trail. Bear Lake fit the bill perfectly. For a memorable and scenic twist, we decided to have Will & Erika climb onto a large boulder in the lake. Reaching it requires carefully balancing across a few rocks in the water, then a short climb up to the top.
When they arrived, Erika was suspicious something was happening and initially hesitant to climb onto the rock—don’t worry, no one fell in! With a little encouragement, she made it to the top, and Will dropped to one knee. Their parents watched from the shore and cheered after she said yes.
This location can require a little rock scrambling out into the lake but it's not neccesary
Afterward, we took photos of the newly engaged couple with their parents before giving them a few moments alone for portraits. We strolled around the lake during the golden hour, capturing beautiful fall colors among the aspen trees and the serene alpine scenery. Later, the family celebrated together with dinner in Estes Park.
Will & Erika — it was such a joy to photograph your Bear Lake proposal, even with Erika’s initial hesitation to climb the rock! The location perfectly captured the essence of your Colorado trip, and it was an honor to help preserve this special moment. Much love to you both!
