If you had told me a week ago that one of my new favorite engagement session locations was hiding in southwest Minnesota... I probably would've laughed.
When my couple and I started planning their engagement session, they told me they wanted something that felt adventurous. They loved the idea of photos that looked like we had traveled somewhere out west.
I immediately went down the rabbit hole looking for locations that weren't the typical park, downtown, or open field. That's when I stumbled across Blue Mounds State Park.
I'd seen a few photos online, but I'd never actually been there myself. It looked beautiful, so we decided to give it a shot.
I Really Thought I Was Lost...
On the drive there, I was honestly starting to second guess myself.
Now, to be fair, I grew up in the Pacific Northwest. I'm used to driving toward places like Mount Rainier where you can see the mountain for miles. As you get closer, the views just keep getting better as you're driving through these incredible overlooks on the way up to Paradise.
So I think that's what I was expecting here.
Instead, I'm driving through farmland thinking... "Did I put the wrong location into my GPS?" You pull into the parking lot and... nothing. No cliffs. No dramatic views.
At this point I'm thinking, "Okay... maybe I completely missed what everyone was talking about."
Then we grabbed our gear and started walking down the trail.
I honestly had no idea where we were supposed to be going. I just kept following the path, still wondering if I had somehow picked the wrong spot.
And then... I looked over. These huge pink cliffs were literally right beside us.
I don't even know how to explain it other than they just kind of... appear. They're tucked off to the side enough that if you're not paying attention, I swear you could almost walk right past them. One second I'm thinking, "Maybe this location isn't what I thought it was..." And the next I'm standing at the top of this cliff looking out over the park thinking, "Okay... THIS is why people come here."
It Was Exactly the Vibe We Were Looking For
The second we stepped out onto those cliffs, I knew we had found exactly what we were hoping for.
It didn't feel like your typical Minnesota location.
You have these gorgeous pink rock formations, sweeping overlooks, and then just a short walk away you're surrounded by prairie grasses that completely change the look of your photos.
It felt adventurous without needing to hike for miles. It felt unique without having to travel across the country. And every few minutes we'd find another spot that made me stop and say, "Okay... wait, I love this."
So Much Variety in One Place
One of the biggest things I look for when I'm scouting locations is variety. I want my couples to have a gallery that feels like an experience, not like we stood in one spot for an hour. Blue Mounds made that so easy.
We photographed on the cliffs, wandered through the prairie, and ended the evening with the dreamiest golden light. The park gave us something different in each part.
Will I Be Coming Back?
Absolutely.
If you're a couple who wants your engagement photos to feel a little more adventurous, a little less expected, and like they could've been taken somewhere far outside of Minnesota, Blue Mounds State Park is officially on my list of favorite locations.
It's one of those places that completely surprises you. From the parking lot, you'd never guess what's waiting just down the trail. And maybe that's my favorite part. Sometimes the best places are the ones that don't show themselves right away.
So if you've been dreaming of engagement photos that feel like an adventure, let's go. I'll happily make the drive back to Blue Mounds... and I promise, once we start walking, you'll understand exactly why I fell in love with this place.
P.S. If you're wondering whether the walk is worth it... the answer is 100% yes.
