Lookout Mountain
Golden's foothill overlook: switchback road, Buffalo Bill's grave and the city lights spread out below.
About Lookout Mountain
Lookout Mountain rises just west of downtown Golden in Jefferson County, its summit at about 7,377 feet. The famous Lariat Loop road switchbacks up the east face, with pullouts that look straight down on Golden and out across the Denver metro area to the plains.
The mountain is home to Lookout Mountain Park, a Denver Mountain Park that holds Buffalo Bill Cody's grave and the Buffalo Bill Museum, along with Jefferson County's Lookout Mountain Nature Center and Preserve and the historic Boettcher Mansion. Paragliders launch from its slopes on good days.
It's one of the quickest scenic escapes from Denver, about 30 minutes from downtown, and a favorite for sunrise over the plains and twilight city-light panoramas.
A 7,377-foot foothill peak in its own park, 1.7 miles west of downtown Golden. The Ute people originally used it as a lookout point over the surrounding region, and today Denver — just 12 miles east — is clearly visible from the top on a clear day, making this one of the better spots for a Denver skyline shot with genuine foreground elevation instead of a flat street-level view.
History
The Lariat Trail road was built up the mountain in 1913, one of the early scenic auto roads in Colorado. Before that, promoters had dreamed of a resort park here; businessman Rees Vidler later built a funicular incline railway up the slope. Denver acquired land on the mountain for Lookout Mountain Park in 1917.
William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody died in 1917 and was buried on the summit on June 3 of that year. The museum, housed in the rustic Pahaska Tepee building, opened in 1921 and is still owned by the City and County of Denver. Nearby, Charles Boettcher built his summer home, Lorraine Lodge, in 1917; it was donated to Jefferson County in 1968.
Photographing Lookout Mountain
Best light: Sunrise over the plains is excellent since the mountain faces east, and blue hour after sunset is the time for glittering Denver and Golden city lights. Fall brings golden cottonwoods in Clear Creek below and scrub oak color on the slopes.
Shots to look for
- Lariat Loop switchbacks as light trails from a pullout above, with a long exposure at dusk
- Denver skyline and city lights at blue hour with a 70-200mm from the upper pullouts
- Paragliders launching or soaring against the sky with a telephoto
- Sunrise over the plains from the summit area, with foothill ridges in silhouette
- Ponderosa pines and meadows at the Nature Center in soft morning light
Photo tips
- Pullouts on Lariat Loop are small and the road is busy with cyclists; park fully off the road and watch for bikes
- Bring a sturdy tripod for long exposures; it can be very windy
- Check Buffalo Bill Museum hours if you plan to visit; the grave site and park grounds are worth a stop
- Use a lens hood and clean front element to fight flare from city lights at night
Know before you go
- Lariat Loop is a narrow, winding road shared with many cyclists; drive slowly
- Park hours vary by property (Denver Mountain Parks vs. Jefferson County Open Space); check before a night shoot
- The Buffalo Bill Museum has its own hours and admission
- Parking near the summit can be busy on summer weekends
Prints from Lookout Mountain
Every photo is available as a print on metal, canvas, wood or fine art paper.
Frequently asked questions
Is Buffalo Bill buried on Lookout Mountain?
Yes. Buffalo Bill Cody was buried on Lookout Mountain in June 1917, and the Buffalo Bill Museum opened next to the grave in 1921.
How do you get to the top of Lookout Mountain?
Drive the Lariat Loop road (Lookout Mountain Road) up from Golden. It's a winding route with pullouts and frequent cyclists.
Is Lookout Mountain good for night photography?
Yes. The east-facing pullouts look over Golden and Denver, making it one of the best close-in spots for city light panoramas.
Featured in: Photography Spots Near Denver
Combine it with
Buffalo Herd Nature Preserve · Red Rocks Park · Clear Creek Trail · Golden
More Colorado spots
Buffalo Herd Nature Preserve · Snodgrass Mountain · Carter Lake
Sources & further reading: en.wikipedia.org · buffalobill.org · en.wikipedia.org. Conditions, fees and rules change; check with the managing agency before you go.