Hello there my lovely couples in the midst of engagement planning! First of all, you are doing great. You are in the right place, researching all you can and finding each perfect piece to your day! So, you’re thinking about popping the question at Lava Lake? Or just anywhere in the mountains with incredible views? This is the right place for you! Lava Lake is insanely beautiful with the most incredible views all around you. 

With all that said, I am here to tell you about an engagement at Lava Lake I just got to be a part of quite recently! I received an email in my inbox that got me SO excited. The email was about a proposal in Bozeman, and the couple was planning a ski weekend at Big Sky. At the end of the weekend, the big question will be popped. The groom-to-be wanted to ensure they spent time in the mountains, even though his partner wasn’t going to join him for all the ski days. They are from upstate New York and have never been to Montana before! How exciting is that? 

Also, so you all know, assisting with proposal planning is always part of my proposal photography package! So, I will help you out as much as I can. I enjoy helping couples bring their dream proposal to life. The groom-to-be told me he wanted to go on a hike and be in the mountains with very few people around. He wanted an intimate moment for them. After considering options like Ousel Falls, Big Sky Ski Resort, and Rainbow Ranch, we settled on a hike up to Lava Lake! And let me tell you, the Lava Lake hike is no walk in the park! 

Lava Lake hike is a 5.4-mile out-and-back trail near Gallatin Gateway, Montana, it is moderately challenging and takes an average of 3 hours and 17 minutes to complete. This area is also popular for fishing, hiking, and horseback riding, so encountering other people while exploring is definitely likely. With that said, I would say that the best times to visit are months June through October! So, if that goes along with your proposal schedule, I would keep this place in mind! Although, the trail tends to be well-packed and accessible in winter, making it an excellent option for outdoor activities, even with snow on the ground!

Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash throughout the entire hike. It depends on the time of year, but the Lava Lake Trail might sometimes be a mix of ice, rocky mud, reasonably packed snow, and beautiful frozen lake views. So be prepared with the correct footwear! I would suggest Yak tracks or micro-spikes when it’s slippery (Like in March or any spring months!) This trail may be a bit challenging but there are STUNNING views at the end, so I’d say it’s worth it. 

If all of this sounds good to you, and like something you and your partner would enjoy, let’s keep planning! Hiring a local photographer in the Big Sky area is immensely helpful as we can keep an eye on the roads and weather leading up to the proposal. For example, I checked the parking lot and roads in the months leading up to the date they had picked for their proposal. I even hiked up to Lava Lake two weeks before to scout everything out, so that I could tell them exactly what to expect! I also sent videos of the location and where they couple pop the question. We discussed how I would hide and not be seen during the proposal, then, I would pop out when they pointed at me and said, “Look up there!” Everything went off without a hitch, and as you can see, it was a perfect day.

I will be there for you throughout the whole thing! I will help plan, make sure everything looks okay, and will answer any questions you have. Especially if you live out of town, I will be your eyes while you can’t be here! I hope this helps you pick the perfect spot to pop that question!