At A Glance
Season:
All
Months:
Year Round
Top Vail Photography Spots
We don’t think it’s bragging to say that Vail can’t help but be photogenic. Sweeping mountain vistas, aspen-laden forests and charming architecture all make excellent photography subjects or the perfect backdrop to your family holiday card. And it doesn’t matter which season you visit — there’s a wide array of places and ways to capture the beauty of Vail and document your adventures along the way. Here’s how to incorporate photography into your trip, from Instagram-worthy shots to bringing the family together for a memorable portrait.
• Find the best photo locations in Vail for every season
Personal Vail Photography Tips
Whether you’re snapping away on an iPhone or are a photography hobbyist with your own heavy-duty digital camera, you’ll find inspiration everywhere. It’s no surprise that nature provides some of the best places to take photos in Vail, but don’t forget about the town either.
Summer brings brilliant fields of wildflowers on hiking trails across the Vail Valley, including the Colorado columbine, scarlet paintbrush and Harrington’s Penstemon, a rare bloom found only in Colorado. Zoom in with your camera to bring all of the flowers’ beautiful details into focus. For a different angle of the area’s flora, you can’t miss out on leaf peeping in the fall. The golden leaves of aspens light up the mountainsides and provide a lovely contrast to blue skies on crisp autumn days. Golden hour — right after sunrise or before sunset — maximizes the ethereal glow of this stunning phenomenon. Head out on a hike or use Vail as your homebase for a drive to see fall colors.
Use wintry landscapes as your muse during the cold-weather months, including pointing your lens toward the surrounding mountain peaks and reveling in the reddish alpenglow at their summits. The scenic gondolas can whisk you up the mountain for some of the best views in Vail, or seek out the on-mountain decks while skiing and snowboarding for more vantage points. An adventurous trek to a secluded backcountry hut will also offer ample opportunities for high-altitude perspectives.
Around Vail Village and Lionshead Village, look up at the Tyrolean-style architecture to capture the European vibes, wander through the curated sections of the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, and check out the sculptures, murals and other public art throughout town to compose a frame-worthy picture. You can also pop into art galleries that feature local photography to get inspiration from the professionals.
Family Photos With the Pros
Want the memories of your Vail vacation to last a lifetime? Enlist a Vail photographer to take family photos that are sure to earn a special place on your wall or mantle at home. You can ask them to take candid shots during a family-friendly hike, picnic and other activities, or pose in coordinated outfits surrounded by your choice of landscape. And if you’re planning a wedding here, you’ll of course want to find the right Vail wedding photographer to document your special day.
Use #DiscoverVail to Share Your Pics With Us
When you get the perfect shot, remember to follow and tag us @DiscoverVailColorado on Instagram.
Learn More About the Best Photo Spots in Vail
• Insta-worthy photo destinations in every season
• Enjoy this Colorado fall photography guide
• Explore hidden gems and hideaways in Vail