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Colorado Springs landscape photo op opportunities?
Aug 6, 2022 20:49:49   #
IzzyKap Loc: Rockville, MD
 
I will be spending about 5 days in Colorado Springs at the end of September and am interested in learning good locations for landscape photography. I heard that Garden of the Gods, Seven Lakes, Pikes Peak are some possibilities. Any other suggestions? Also, would it be better to stay in the Denver area or Colorado Springs for the best access to landscape photo venues? of Thank you.

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Aug 6, 2022 21:27:20   #
Zooman 1
 
Colorado Springs has the Garden of the Gods, you can spend a lot of time there getting interesting landscape photos.
Also 7 falls, there is an entrance fee, but it is worth it. Traffic can be difficult at times but not as bad as the Denver area.

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Aug 6, 2022 23:22:47   #
Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas
 
Colo Spgs offers both mountain terrain and plains for landscape shots… If you’re interested in city scape or buildings, there is the Broadmoor Hotel complex (5 star hotel) - link, and there are roads in the mountains that give great views of the city. There is Will Roger’s Shrine of the Sun -Site
You can take the COG railroad up the side of Pikes Peak and get some awesome photos -
Gold Camp Road is a highly scenic dirt trail from Colorado Springs to near Victor, with a length of 8.6 miles one way. It was easily passable in any passenger vehicle, with gentle grades and usually gentle curves. Check ensure it’s open.

Google offers Photo Ops in Colorado Spring which provides some ideas…

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Aug 7, 2022 06:25:13   #
Architect1776 Loc: In my mind
 
IzzyKap wrote:
I will be spending about 5 days in Colorado Springs at the end of September and am interested in learning good locations for landscape photography. I heard that Garden of the Gods, Seven Lakes, Pikes Peak are some possibilities. Any other suggestions? Also, would it be better to stay in the Denver area or Colorado Springs for the best access to landscape photo venues? of Thank you.


For 5 days I would prefer the Springs with easy access to Cripple Creek, Buena Vista and Leadville with the scenery around.
Along with already mentioned.

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Aug 7, 2022 08:26:38   #
knessr
 
Two other venues not to overlook that are not far away from colorado springs is the Royal Gorge at Canon City (https://www.colorado.com/articles/royal-gorge-things-see-do) and Bent's Fort at La Junta (https://www.nps.gov/beol/index.htm).





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Aug 7, 2022 10:22:26   #
Arca
 
IzzyKap

On my last visit to Colorado, I found a book entitled, 'Scenic Driving Colorado' second edition by Stewart M. Green. It is published by 'Falcon Guides'. The ISBN is: 0-7627-2702-0. Their website is www.falcon.com. The price tag says $15.95 and also identifies the purchase location as 'Garden of the Gods Trading Post'. There are three scenic drives immediately around 'Colorado Springs', all to the northwest, west and southwest.

I agree with the previously made suggestions regarding wonderful settings in that state. In October, my wife and I will be driving from Phoenix to Denver for a conference. On the way will be 'Four Corners', 'Mesa Verde N.P.', the 'Durango/Silverton' railroad, Ouray, and an abundance of viewpoints in the San Juan mountains. These are probably too far from your stated location at 'Colorado Springs'. Maybe on your next visit? Don't forget the 'Air Force Academy' structures. They are architecturally modern and very splendid. Enjoy this wonderful trip.

Arca

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Aug 7, 2022 10:32:20   #
RolandDieter
 
There are also Cheyanne Canyon and the Sand Dunes. The dunes are great.

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Aug 7, 2022 13:13:35   #
Rokko Loc: Minneapolis
 
The cog railway to the top of Pike's Peak was suggested above. It is a good suggestion. I took this trip and enjoyed it. It has a lot of good photo opportunities.

However, you need to watch the weather down below and at the top of the mountain. When we took the trip, it was sunny and clear up until the last 100 yards or so of elevation. At that point we entered a cloud, which was so thick that I couldn't get good pictures from ten feet way, let along the ground at the base of the mountain and beyond.

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Aug 7, 2022 13:38:19   #
Jerry Coupe
 
The zoo at Colorado Springs is good.
I also did a jeep tour that took us up into the mountains, some of it 'off road.' It was organized by my employer so I do not know the name of the tour provider.

We did get up high enough that I saw some bristle cone pines. Well worth the 2-3 hours.

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Aug 7, 2022 17:31:54   #
TanglewodFarmer Loc: NW.Ar.
 
I plan to be in that area the last 3 weeks of September. My wife & I will ride the trains first with a RoadScholar program,& spend the rest of September on our on in our RV.I am interested in finding places to visit also.

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Aug 7, 2022 18:07:25   #
Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas
 
Another one in the area is Bishops Castle



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Aug 8, 2022 00:02:42   #
jcboy3
 
IzzyKap wrote:
I will be spending about 5 days in Colorado Springs at the end of September and am interested in learning good locations for landscape photography. I heard that Garden of the Gods, Seven Lakes, Pikes Peak are some possibilities. Any other suggestions? Also, would it be better to stay in the Denver area or Colorado Springs for the best access to landscape photo venues? of Thank you.


Okay, here is the big Colorado Springs secret: Paint Mines Interpretive Park

With a bit of a drive from Colorado Springs: Great Sand Dunes National Park

If staying in Denver, then it's easy to get to Rocky Mountain National Park (you need reservations).

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Aug 8, 2022 08:38:22   #
IzzyKap Loc: Rockville, MD
 
Thank you ALL for very interesting and helpful suggestions!

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Aug 8, 2022 11:58:41   #
SilverthorneRuth Loc: Silverthorne, Colorado
 
I second the idea of the Paint Mines in Calhan, CO and definitely the Manitou Springs Cog Railway. And of course, the iconic chapel at the US Air Force Academy, inside and out. The interior is a mecca for interesting photos, as the sun shines beautifully through the stained glass. I would also check out the Flyin' W Ranch for entertainment at night. Accommodations can be found at Glen Eyrie (more $$$ than most hotels in the area), but it also gives you access to their private grounds with the Castle, many hiking trails and fabulous rock formations outside your window, so you photograph in all lights, I.E., sunrise, sunset, etc.

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