If you’re wondering where you can find wildflowers in the summer without any hiking, the alpine meadows of Heather Trail will not leave you disappointed. When Angela and Oliver reached about about their engagement photos, they were looking for mountain views, forest, fields, and wild flowers. I knew instantly that Manning Park would be perfect for them.

An engaged couple kisses in the alpine meadows of manning park as the sunsets over the mountains and wildflowers

Photos aside, Manning Park has so much to offer! Lakes and mountain views and endless wildflowers in the summertime. A resort or camping options, whichever is more your speed. Go hiking, hop in a canoe, or just wander around the stunning forests. Manning Park is an outdoor lover’s dream! And while remote, it’s extremely accessible, making it one of my top picks for couples photoshoots ideas for mountain views.

Angela and Oliver were actually already legally married and were planning on a big wedding. This shoot was a fun chance to celebrate their marriage in a special way, while still saving wedding photos for their big day ahead. They were so sweet to work with and absolute naturals in front of a camera! But you don’t need me to tell you that, just look at the photos!

The days leading up to our shoot, I was worried about the weather. In British Columbia, you’d think I would be talking about the rain, but not this time. Unfortunately, what we were really worried about was a wildfire. It had started in the region a few days before and seemed to be moving in the direction of Manning Park. We weren’t worried about the actual fire being too close, but rather the smoke in the air. Not only does it completely smudge out the views, but it’s rather unpleasant to breathe. Smoke forecasts luckily looked good for the day of the session, so we went ahead and took the chance!

When we arrived to Manning Park, we could see the fire no more than 5km away, but the skies were clear enough for views. I couldn’t help but feel a little sad. Not only because of the wildfire in general, but because Manning Park is the exact spot where I got engaged! There is an incredibly special area in the park called Alpine Meadows, where the vegetation in the summer is unbelievable and it’s just a magical place to be. In 2017, it’s where my now-husband Mitch proposed. In my mind, with the fires off in the distance, this shoot was also a chance to say goodbye to a place I really love just in case.

Luckily Alpine Meadows remains intact! And hopefully it will stay that way for the next five, ten, fifty, one-hundred plus years! And by following Leave No Trace principles and respecting our protected areas, I have high hopes that it will be!

Loving this portrait session for your couples photoshoot ideas? Find even more inspiration for Manning Park from this sweet elopement in Alpine Meadows! Fun fact: this elopement was photographed just a day before Angela and Oliver’s session!

But first, don’t forget to read these helpful tips for planning a couples session in this dreamy location!

Tips for an Manning Park Engagement:

Follow the signs and stay on trail! Alpine Meadows has a very fragile ecosystem. There are only a couple of months of the year warm enough to melt the snow, allowing the area to fill with the most spectacular wildflowers. It’s incredibly important not to disturb the vegetation; you need to stick to the marked trails, so no frolicking through fields for portraits. Luckily, Lightning Lake is nearby where you can roam free and also jump into a canoe if that’s your style!

Don’t worry about accessibility! It’s wild how easy it is to get to the sweeping mountain views in the area. No hiking involved! Just park and walk a few minutes on the trails. If you are more of a hiker, there are plenty of backcountry options for you as well!
Consider going at sunset! Generally, this area isn’t super busy, but you should always have a plan if there are a lot of people. I suggest sunset for the best views!
Think about the season! The road to Alpine Meadows is only certain times a year (generally late May to October). The road is not open in the winter, so I’d suggest summer sessions only! However, if a winter session is the dream, the Manning Park resort is open all year round.
Bring necessary provisions! Although extremely accessible, there isn’t much in Manning Park. There’s no town, just the resort. You’ll need to bring everything you need from outside of the area (including gas)!
Check the smoke forecast! If you choose a summer session in Manning Park, keep in mind that the tail-end of the season is fire season. Wildfire smoke can travel for miles and can really affect views. Make sure to check the forecast and keep updated on fires in the area.