Colorado is known for its diverse landscapes, from the soaring Rocky Mountains to the sweeping plains. These breathtaking vistas make it an ideal state for drone photography. In this article, we’ll cover the top five locations in Colorado where you can capture stunning aerial shots.

1. Rocky Mountain National Park

The Rocky Mountain National Park is a must-visit destination for drone enthusiasts and nature lovers in Colorado. This iconic national park boasts over 415 square miles of rugged mountains, alpine lakes, and lush meadows, offering countless opportunities for capturing stunning aerial footage.

From a drone’s perspective, visitors can capture breathtaking footage of the park’s unique landscape, which includes towering mountains, sweeping vistas, and crystal-clear alpine lakes. The park’s unique features provide an excellent subject for aerial photography, with intricate details and patterns that can be captured from above.

In addition to the park’s natural beauty, Rocky Mountain National Park offers several other unique and fascinating attractions. Visitors can explore the park’s hiking trails, which wind through the rugged mountain landscape and offer unique vantage points for capturing aerial views. The park is also home to several fascinating wildlife species, including elk, bighorn sheep, and black bears, which can be captured from a drone’s perspective.

The park’s visitor centers also offer a unique opportunity for capturing aerial images, with their distinctive designs and stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can fly their drones around the visitor centers and capture unique shots of the buildings’ modern architecture against the backdrop of the park’s stunning natural beauty.

Overall, Rocky Mountain National Park is a must-visit location for drone enthusiasts looking to capture stunning aerial footage of Colorado’s natural beauty. The park’s rugged mountains, alpine lakes, and lush meadows offer an unparalleled opportunity for drone photography.

Key Features:

• Diverse landscapes with mountains, lakes, and meadows
• Abundant wildlife
• Over 300 miles of hiking trails

Location: The park is located in north-central Colorado, near the towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake.

Hours of Operation: The park is open year-round, 24 hours a day, but some areas may be closed during the winter months due to snow.

Contact Information: For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park, visit the National Park Service website or call (970) 586-1206.

2. Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods is a must-visit location for drone enthusiasts in Colorado Springs. This public park boasts stunning red rock formations that provide a unique and dramatic backdrop for capturing stunning aerial footage.

From a drone’s perspective, visitors can capture breathtaking footage of the park’s unique landscape, which includes towering rock formations, rugged terrain, and sweeping vistas. The park’s unique features provide an excellent subject for aerial photography, with intricate details and patterns that can be captured from above.

In addition to the rock formations, Garden of the Gods offers several other unique and fascinating attractions. Visitors can explore the park’s hiking trails, which wind through the rugged desert landscape and offer unique vantage points for capturing aerial views. The park is also home to several fascinating wildlife species, including mule deer, bighorn sheep, and golden eagles, which can be captured from a drone’s perspective.

The park’s visitor center also offers a unique opportunity for capturing aerial images, with its distinctive design and stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can fly their drones around the visitor center and capture unique shots of the building’s modern architecture against the backdrop of the park’s stunning natural beauty.

Overall, Garden of the Gods is a must-visit location for drone enthusiasts looking to capture stunning aerial footage of Colorado’s natural beauty. The park’s red rock formations, unique attractions, and expansive desert landscapes offer an unparalleled opportunity for drone photography.

Key Features:

• Unique red rock formations
• Views of Pikes Peak
• Visitor and nature center with exhibits and guided tours

Location: Garden of the Gods is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Hours of Operation: The park is open year-round from 5:00 am to 11:00 pm.

Contact Information: For more information about Garden of the Gods, visit the park’s website or call (719) 219-0108.

3. Maroon Bells

Maroon Bells, located near Aspen, Colorado, are a must-visit destination for drone enthusiasts and nature photographers. These iconic peaks are among the most photographed mountains in North America, and for good reason. With their distinctive maroon hue and dramatic reflection in Maroon Lake, these mountains provide a stunning setting for capturing breathtaking aerial footage.

From a drone’s perspective, visitors can capture stunning footage of the peaks’ unique colors and dramatic reflection in the clear waters of Maroon Lake. The surrounding landscape, which includes rugged terrain, alpine meadows, and sweeping vistas, provides an excellent subject for aerial photography, with intricate details and patterns that can be captured from above.

In addition to the mountains themselves, Maroon Bells offer several other unique and fascinating attractions. Visitors can explore the park’s hiking trails, which wind through the rugged mountain landscape and offer unique vantage points for capturing aerial views. The park is also home to several fascinating wildlife species, including elk, moose, and black bears, which can be captured from a drone’s perspective.

The park’s visitor center also offers a unique opportunity for capturing aerial images, with its distinctive design and stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can fly their drones around the visitor center and capture unique shots of the building’s modern architecture against the backdrop of the park’s stunning natural beauty.

Overall, Maroon Bells is a must-visit location for drone enthusiasts looking to capture stunning aerial footage of Colorado’s natural beauty. The peaks’ distinctive colors and dramatic reflection, unique attractions, and expansive mountain landscapes offer an unparalleled opportunity for drone photography.

Key Features:

• Iconic mountain peaks
• Maroon Lake reflection
• Accessible hiking trails

Location: Maroon Bells is located near Aspen, Colorado, in the White River National Forest.

Hours of Operation: The area is open year-round, but vehicle access is limited from mid-June to early October.

Contact Information: For more information about Maroon Bells, visit the US Forest Service website or call (970) 945-2521.

4. Great Sand Dunes National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park is a must-visit location for drone enthusiasts looking to capture stunning aerial footage of Colorado’s unique landscape. This national park is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, providing an unparalleled opportunity for capturing dramatic aerial images.

From a drone’s perspective, visitors can capture breathtaking footage of the park’s towering sand dunes, which reach heights of up to 750 feet. The dunes provide an excellent subject for aerial photography, with intricate patterns and shapes that can be captured from above. The surrounding landscape, which includes the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, provides a stunning backdrop for capturing unique shots of the dunes against the mountains’ rugged terrain.

In addition to the sand dunes themselves, Great Sand Dunes National Park offers several other unique and fascinating attractions. Visitors can explore the park’s hiking trails, which wind through the rugged desert landscape and offer unique vantage points for capturing aerial views. The park is also home to several fascinating wildlife species, including bighorn sheep, black bears, and mountain lions, which can be captured from a drone’s perspective.

The park’s visitor center also offers a unique opportunity for capturing aerial images, with its distinctive design and stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can fly their drones around the visitor center and capture unique shots of the building’s modern architecture against the backdrop of the park’s unique natural beauty.

Overall, Great Sand Dunes National Park is a must-visit location for drone enthusiasts looking to capture stunning aerial footage of Colorado’s natural beauty. The park’s towering sand dunes, unique attractions, and expansive desert landscapes offer an unparalleled opportunity for drone photography.

Key Features:

• Tallest sand dunes in North America
• Unique desert landscape
• Opportunities for sandboarding and hiking

Location: The park is located in southern Colorado, near the town of Alamosa.

Hours of Operation: The park is open year-round, 24 hours a day.

Contact Information: For more information about Great Sand Dunes National Park, visit the National Park Service website or call (719) 378-6399.

5. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a must-visit location for drone enthusiasts looking to capture stunning aerial footage of Colorado’s unique landscape. This national park features some of the steepest cliffs and oldest rock formations in North America, providing an unparalleled opportunity for capturing dramatic aerial images.

From a drone’s perspective, visitors can capture breathtaking footage of the park’s dramatic canyon, which was carved by the Gunnison River. The canyon provides an excellent subject for aerial photography, with intricate details and patterns that can be captured from above. The surrounding landscape, which includes rugged terrain and sweeping vistas, provides a stunning backdrop for capturing unique shots of the canyon against the mountains’ rugged terrain.

In addition to the canyon itself, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park offers several other unique and fascinating attractions. Visitors can explore the park’s hiking trails, which wind through the rugged mountain landscape and offer unique vantage points for capturing aerial views. The park is also home to several fascinating wildlife species, including elk, mule deer, and black bears, which can be captured from a drone’s perspective.

The park’s visitor center also offers a unique opportunity for capturing aerial images, with its distinctive design and stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can fly their drones around the visitor center and capture unique shots of the building’s modern architecture against the backdrop of the park’s unique natural beauty.

Overall, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a must-visit location for drone enthusiasts looking to capture stunning aerial footage of Colorado’s natural beauty. The park’s dramatic canyon, unique attractions, and expansive mountain landscapes offer an unparalleled opportunity for drone photography.

Key Features:

• Steep cliffs and dramatic canyon views
• Gunnison River
• Hiking trails and scenic drives

Location: The park is located in western Colorado, near the town of Montrose.

Hours of Operation: The park is open year-round, but some facilities and roads may be closed during the winter months.

Contact Information: For more information about Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, visit the National Park Service website or call (970) 641-2337.

Conclusion

Colorado offers a wealth of stunning landscapes perfect for drone photography. Remember to check federal, state, and local laws before flying in any of these locations. For those looking to expand their drone photography skills or even build a drone business, we highly recommend visiting Blue Falcon Aerial’s Comprehensive Guide to Building and Growing Your Drone Business.

If you need assistance with a LiDAR or Orthomosaic project, or have any questions about drone photography, don’t hesitate to contact Blue Falcon Aerial through their contact page. Happy flying!