Colorado's Blooms & Dunes: Wildflowers & Great Sand Dunes National Park Photo Workshop & Photo Tour
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Colorado's Blooms & Dunes: Wildflowers & Great Sand Dunes National Park

Lodge-Based Photo Workshop
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Colorado's Blooms & Dunes: Wildflowers & Great Sand Dunes National Park

Lodge-Based Photo Workshop
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Trip Leader(s)
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Starting From [Block//Current Price]

Single Supplement: +$749.00
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   Deposit: $2,000.00
Start/End

Gunnison, CO (GUC) / Alamosa, CO (ALS)

Length

6 Days/5 Nights

Fitness Level

Level 2 - What's This?

Group Size

Up To 7 Guests

Highlights
  • Crested Butte: Known as the “Wildflower Capital of Colorado” with diverse flowers like Fleabane, Larkspur, Aspen sunflowers, and Indian Paintbrush.

  • Great Sand Dunes National Park: Capture the stunning textures and light play of North America’s tallest sand dunes.

  • Diverse Photography Opportunities: Use macro lenses for detailed flower shots and wide-angle lenses for expansive fields with mountainous backdrops.

  • Personalized Experience: Small group sizes, comfortable accommodations, and convenient transportation all focused on a seamless travel experience.

If you have any questions about a trip, itinerary, or gear, our Photo Experience Coordinators are available for a personalized one-on-one consultation to provide all the details you need.
Trip Description:

Discover the natural beauty of Colorado through your lens on this exclusive photography adventure, designed to capture the state’s most iconic summer landscapes. This 6-day journey begins in the charming mountain town of Gunnison, our gateway to two distinct and breathtaking photographic opportunities: the wildflower-laden meadows of Crested Butte and the towering dunes of Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Your adventure begins with two days in Crested Butte, often hailed as the "Wildflower Capital of Colorado." During peak bloom, this alpine paradise transforms into a vivid mosaic of colors, with fields of lupines, Indian paintbrush, columbines, and sunflowers stretching as far as the eye can see. You'll have access to expert guidance as you explore various locations—from rolling meadows to high-altitude trails—all timed to take advantage of the golden hours. Whether you’re interested in macro photography to capture the intricate details of individual blossoms or sweeping landscape shots that showcase the grandeur of this mountain valley, you’ll find endless inspiration here.

From Crested Butte, the journey continues south to Great Sand Dunes National Park. For the next two days, you’ll have the opportunity to photograph the tallest dunes in North America, their golden ridges dramatically juxtaposed against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. As the light shifts throughout the day, so too do the textures, shadows, and tones of the dunes, providing endless creative possibilities. Sunrise and sunset sessions will highlight the surreal beauty of this otherworldly landscape, while nighttime photography will allow you to capture the brilliance of the stars under some of the darkest skies in the country.

This trip is more than a photography workshop; it’s an invitation to immerse yourself in two of Colorado’s most photogenic and diverse environments. With professional instruction tailored to your skill level, you’ll not only enhance your technical abilities but also develop your artistic vision. Don’t miss your chance to join this unforgettable journey and return home with a portfolio of images that truly capture the essence of Colorado’s wild beauty.

What's Included
  • All listed meals and non-alcoholic beverages during the workshop

  • All transportation during the workshop

  • All lodging during the workshop

  • All permits and park fees

  • Professional photography guiding and instruction

  • Gratuity for service staff

What's Not Included
  • Flights to Gunnison, CO and from Alamosa, CO

  • Meals not listed as included on the itinerary

  • Lodging outside workshop dates

  • Alcoholic beverages

  • Souvenirs and personal items

  • Gratuity for photography guide(s). Please refer to our FAQ section for more details about gratuities

  • Trip Insurance & Medical Evacuation Insurance - see plans here.

Details
  • Final Balance Due 120 days prior to Trip Start​​​​​​​ 
  • Trip Insurance Optional - but highly recommended​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ 

 Trip Itinerary 

Most meals included – (B,L,D) denotes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 1 (D)
We’ll kick off our journey by arriving in the charming mountain town of Gunnison. After settling into our accommodations, we’ll meet for a welcome orientation to go over the itinerary, photography goals, and a few tips to make the most of the trip ahead!

Days 2 (B,L,D)
We’ll kick off the day driving along Gothic Road (FS 317), where the rugged mountain views and vibrant wildflowers will keep our cameras busy. The morning light will be perfect for capturing the lush landscapes as we wind through the scenic valley toward the quaint Gothic Townsite. After a quick stop to photograph the historic buildings, we might take a short, one-mile hike to a waterfall. The trail will be bursting with wildflowers, framing the rushing falls beautifully for wide-angle and detail shots. Afterward, we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the pull-offs along the road or near Gothic before heading back toward Crested Butte. In the afternoon, we’ll stop at a nearby lake to photograph the serene water reflecting the surrounding peaks. Then, we’ll head to a scenic viewpoint where the golden hour light here will make for some stunning compositions. We’ll wrap up the day back in town, enjoying dinner and reviewing our shots.

Day 3 (B,L,D)
On our second day, we’ll start our morning at a haven for wildflower photography. We’ll walk through colorful meadows and aspen groves, pausing often to capture Mt. Crested Butte framed by the vibrant blooms. The early morning light will make the colors pop, creating dreamy photos. After a relaxed lunch—either packed trailside or back in town—we’ll spend the afternoon exploring some more trails that offer sweeping views of the valleys, perfect for capturing the layers of color and texture that summer brings. As we hike, we’ll take our time setting up shots of the wildflowers against the dramatic mountain backdrops. If we finish early, we might drive back along Gothic Road during golden hour for one last chance to photograph the vibrant landscapes under the warm evening light.

Day 4 (B, L, D)
After breakfast, we’ll pack up and make the scenic drive south to Great Sand Dunes National Park. Arriving in the afternoon, we’ll take some time to explore the dunes and familiarize ourselves with the unique landscape. As the golden hour approaches, we’ll focus on the interplay of light and shadows on the undulating dunes, creating stunning abstract compositions. After dinner, we’ll venture back out for a nighttime photography session, capturing the Milky Way against the dramatic backdrop of the dunes.

Day 5 (B, L, D)
We’ll rise before dawn to capture the first light illuminating the dunes and Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The cool morning light will bring out the soft textures and rich tones of the sand. After a break, we’ll explore more of the park, photographing rippled patterns, animal tracks, and unique desert vegetation. In the afternoon, we’ll focus on storytelling through photography, combining landscape and detail shots to tell a visual narrative of the dunes. Our final sunset session will be a chance to experiment with long exposures, playing with movement and light to create ethereal images.

Day 6 (B, L, D)
On our last day, we’ll enjoy a relaxed morning and reflect on the incredible experiences and images we’ve captured. After breakfast, we’ll head to Alamosa for departures, leaving with not only a portfolio of stunning photographs but also memories of the breathtaking beauty of Colorado’s diverse landscapes!

Please note that the exact sequence of the itineraries on all photography trips will be based on weather and lighting conditions. The goal on these trips is to make sure we are at the right place at the right time for the perfect light on our subjects. Also, itineraries can change for a variety of other circumstances including floods, forest fires, national park closures, road closures, and more. Due to the nature of wildlife and landscape photography, we do not guarantee any specific sightings or specific compositions.

Physical Requirements 

This trip includes easy to moderate hikes on uneven or sandy terrain. Trekking the dunes at Great Sand Dunes National Park can be strenuous due to shifting sand and elevation changes. Participants should be prepared for varied terrain and full days outside. While the tour is suitable for most active individuals, participants should be prepared for varying terrain and extended hours of outdoor activity.

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HERE’S THE DEAL

We offer one of the most rock solid guarantees in the travel industry - our worry free travel, peace of mind guarantee to you!

We’re so confident that the Photography Trips we offer will not only meet but exceed the lofty expectations set forth on our website – if your trip experience does not 100% match the promises laid forth on our website we will gladly give you a credit toward a future trip.

Natural events such as wildlife & weather are certainly out of our control but every aspect of the trip including logistics, accommodations, vehicles, itinerary & your expert trip leaders will match the lofty promises we’ve
made on the site – we guarantee it!

BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS

"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2025

CONTACT US

Monday-Friday
8am to 4pm Mountain Time
928-478-1521
adventure@backcountryjourneys.com

TRIP CATALOG

Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.

BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS

"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.

- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director

CONTACT US

Monday-Friday
8am to 4pm Mountain Time
928-478-1521
adventure@backcountryjourneys.com

TRIP CATALOG

Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.

All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLCs - Copyright 2025
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