Just because the sun goes down, that doesn’t mean there isn’t much to see in Rocky Mountain National Park. Some might say it’s when the real show begins with a tranquil sky packed full of bright twinkling stars that aren’t often seen within the city limits. Photographing the stars in RMNP is one of the best ways to remember your experience. Here are some tips to help get you started!
Tips for photographing the night’s sky
While a high-end camera isn’t totally necessary when photographing the stars in RMNP, it is recommended that you have a good lens that can reach a wide aperture and a wide-angle lens at around 20mm.
Note: all tips below are for a digital camera
- To begin, set your lens to its wideset aperture allowed and a shutter speed of about 20 seconds. This can all be done in manual mode.
- Increase or adjust your ISO as needed.
- Use a tripod. To avoid camera shake and a blurry photo, it is best to set up using a tripod since your shutter speeds will be slow.
- Setting a timer or using a remote shutter release is often suggested to avoid even more camera shake.
- If there is an ample light source, auto-focus usually works just fine. But you may have to switch to manual focus.
- Shoot in RAW image format.
- Set your white balance setting to auto.
Where to stargaze in Rocky Mountain National Park
While stargazing in Rocky Mountain National Park is available pretty much anywhere in the park, there are a few spots that are our favorite:
- Trail Ridge Road – reaching above treeline, Trail Ridge Road affords stargazers unobstructed and expansive views of the night’s sky. From almost any vantage point along this popular road, stars, planets, and the milky way are visible and seem to extend into infinity.
- Bear Lake – while any lake will do for stargazing, we suggest starting with Bear Lake. With its easy access and beautiful surroundings, it’s an optimal choice. The lake adds an extra element and creates a perfect pallet for a brilliant reflection of stars. It is truly one of the more unique ways to stargaze in the park.
When to go stargazing
For optimal stargazing, plan for a visit during the new moon. To ensure you see as many stars as possible, it’s best to have as little light as possible to make sure every star pops. Another key factor in seeing the best night sky is the weather. While it’s hard to predict the weather, especially in Colorado, going out on a clear night is ideal.
Stay at Brynwood on the River
Complete your celestial adventures and stay at Brynwood on the River. We offer a wide variety of Estes Park lodging options including cozy cabins, cottages, and vacation homes. Most of our accommodations come with an outdoor patio or deck, perfect for stargazing and photographing the night’s sky on a clear night. So, start planning your stargazing adventures and book your stay with Brynwood on the River!
