Photo Location Favorites, Workshops, Tours and Local Photographers
Welcome to the Mystic San Luis Valley! We hope these pages help spark ideas for photo opportunities, vacation ideas and memories
Featured here are a few of the awe inspiring locations around this part of Southern Colorado. Keep scrolling down the page are some resources to help you out. Enjoy!
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Open all day and night year round, the tallest dunes in North America are the centerpiece in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, conifer and aspen forests, alpine lakes, and tundra. Experience a starry sky on moonless nights, or a surreal walk on the dunes under bright full moonlight.
Additional Info:
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
"The Dunes and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains" Photo credit: Patrick Myers
Cover photo: "Big Meadow Reservoir"
Photographer: Scott Hizny
Dark Skies
Connect to the stars in several locations around the Mystic San Luis Valley known for their dark skies and incredible stargazing opportunities. You can find IDA certified and in-progress locations at the Great Sand Dunes National Park, Crestone, La Veta, Cuchara, Creede and Lake City.
Regardless, all of these communities are unified by their high elevation and low humidity, allowing for some of the best stargazing in the world.
Additional Info:
Colorado Stargazing
"Ziggurat and the Milky Way, Crestone"
Photo credit: Peter Ismert
Wheeler Geologic Area
Wheeler Geologic Area is part of the La Garita Wilderness, within this area you will find many trails, some nearby peaks over 13,000 ft and expansive views. Located near South Fork and the old mining town of Creede, CO, Wheeler is accessible by a 7 mile hike or a grueling 14 mile four wheel drive road. Your efforts are rewarded by views of a remarkable geologic formation of moderately coarse volcanic tuff eroded into many different shapes.
Additional info for WGA:
South Fork Visitor Center
Creede Visitor Center
"Wheeler Geologic Area"
Photo credit: Rick Dunnahoo
Resources, Workshops, Tour Guides, and Locations
Looking for some great locations for photographs around the Valley; The list should get you started!
"Stations of the Cross Shrine" - Jeremy Elliott
Workshop/Tours/Marketing -- Looking for a photographer to help with your marketing efforts, interested in a guided tour of the best photography sites, looking to improve your photography skills by attending a workshop, or looking to take a tour with a guide the check out this listing of Mystic San Luis Valley photographers to help meet your needs and goals.
