Castle Rock, Colorado
Castle Rock, Colorado photographer
Portraits, couples and elopements around Castle Rock and Castlewood Canyon, from a photographer who lives 40 miles down I-25.
Castle Rock is the closest city on my list, about 40 miles from Colorado Springs.
Getting there
About 40 miles down the road.
It's a short drive, so I can watch the forecast closely as the date gets near. That makes it the easiest place to fit a sunrise session around a normal workday.
Where we would shoot
Two places to shoot, and the rules for each.
Castlewood Canyon State Park
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Cherry Creek cut through the hard Castle Rock Conglomerate here and left tall cliffs. You also get the remains of a dam that failed in 1933 and views of the Front Range and Pikes Peak. It's the place I'd look at first.
Photo rules here: The state lists a photography permit for professional wedding and special-event portraits at its parks.
Read the official rulesRock Park Open Space and Trails
Town of Castle Rock Parks and Recreation
The town lists trails to the base of The Rock, the butte the town takes its name from, with views from there.
Photo rules here: The town has a commercial and private activity permit page. The town's page did not load when I checked.
Read the official rules
Place rules last checked November 5, 2026. I check them again before we book.
Light
Plan for the last hour before sunset.
Castle Rock sits between the plains and the foothills, so the sky opens up to the east and the land rises to the west. A session that starts in the last hour before sunset gets low, warm light across the open land.
| Date | Sunrise | Best evening light starts | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 20 | 7:03 AM | 6:36 PM | 7:12 PM |
| June 21 | 5:33 AM | 7:49 PM | 8:30 PM |
| September 22 | 6:47 AM | 6:21 PM | 6:56 PM |
| December 21 | 7:16 AM | 3:57 PM | 4:39 PM |
Golden hour is the soft, warm light before sunset. Times are local (MST and MDT).
Sessions
What people book in Castle Rock.
Couples
An hour or so in the canyon at golden hour.
Elopements
Ceremonies near the canyon, once the state's permit steps are sorted.
Portraits
Solo sessions in the canyon or in town.
Questions
Fair questions about Castle Rock.
Do you shoot in Castlewood Canyon State Park?
Yes, when the park's rules allow it. The state's wedding and special-event page says a professional portrait photographer may need a photography permit.
Where should we shoot in Castle Rock?
Castlewood for cliffs and big views, and the town's Rock Park for something close and simple. Castlewood falls under the state's permit rules and Rock Park under the town's.
Is Castle Rock good for an elopement?
For a small ceremony with a big view, yes. The canyon cliffs and the views toward Pikes Peak give you a backdrop. The permit steps start with the state park.
Sources
Tell me what Castle Rock means to you.
Send a rough date and tell me if it's the canyon or the town you're after.
Inquire