The Best places to elope in Colorado | Colorado Elopement Photographer

You’re here because you’re thinking about eloping (or have already decided to!) in Colorado – and I’m so excited to share my backyard with ya’ll! I’ve lived here since 2010 and have road-tripped, hiked, camped and 4×4’d all over this beautiful state. I’ve hiked to the bluest blue lakes and adventured to the most gorgeous basins known to Colorado. I’m so excited to share my knowledge and love for Colorado’s high country with ya- consider me your expert!

Start to picture the view that gets you stoked in a place that leaves you speechless. This list will get you started envisioning where you’ll adventure – but together we’ll find the perfect place for you to share your vows in the wild!

why is colorado the best place to elope?

Colorado is full of beautiful places to elope. You don’t have to hike or have a special vehicle to get to many of them. If you want to put in a little extra effort then you can get to some truly wild and magical places. You don’t have to hike to get to some of the most wild spots either. If you have a lifted 4×4 vehicle you can explore so many high mountain passes. Even if you don’t you can rent one from one of the many outfitters in the different mountain towns. Side by sides are super fun, too!

If you want a winter wonderland elopement Colorado is the perfect place for that, too. We have world renowned snow and some of the most beautiful snowy peaks in the world.

the Best season to elope in colorado

Every season in Colorado is the best season to elope. We get all four seasons making it an amazing destination in whatever your favorite season is. This is really a very personal choice to you two, and your guests should you choose to have any. Colorado has both high alpine and desert environments. As an elopement photographer and planning assistant, I learn about you plus what kind of environment and experience you’re dreaming of, and I suggest specific locations based on that.

colorado mountain travel tips

Mountain weather and traffic varies all year long. The travel times in the guide don’t account for possible traffic. Always be prepared for mountain traffic and road closures by having the right supplies in your vehicle. The weather can change quickly in the mountains even in the summer. It’s best to be prepared with layers, a light jacket, sunblock, water, snacks gasoline and anything else that could make sitting in a car a better experience. Stay hydrated before and during your adventures in the high country with water and salts & minerals.

If you aren’t familiar with winter mountain driving or the gear you’ll want for your winter adventure check out my How to Guide for Winter Mountain Adventures!

Colorado’s most beautiful elopement locations

The San Juan Mountains

The San Juan Mountains are my personal favorite mountain range as an adventurer. They offer Switzerland and Peru vibes and are just breathtaking year round. As a hiker and 4×4 lover these mountains offer the most. They also offer the most beautiful views that are easily accessible as well, to just walk up to from the road and enjoy. I’ve written a full San Juan Mountain Elopement Location Guide to share just a small portion of the locations available in this region.

Crested Butte

Crested Butte comes in close second – like first but I can only have one #1 – for Colorado’s best elopement locations. It’s a special town in the heart of the Elk Mountain range. It’s got incredible mountain views and multiple passes to explore. From emerald color lakes and like a dozen waterfalls to the biggest Aspen grove and the wildflower capital of Colorado. Crested Butte has it all. Including some of the best skiing and snowboarding at Crested Butte Ski Resort. Summer, Fall and Winter and the leaders for seasons to elope in Crested Butte. Spring is great but in Colorado’s high country Spring means more mud season and likely mountain passes still closed due to snow. Summer in the high country equals wildflower season.

The best places to elope within 3 hours of Denver

Rocky Mountain National Park near Estes Park and Grandby, Colorado

Rocky Mountain National Park has so many great spots to elope. They require a wedding permit and that you use a specific location for exchanging vows but it’s a reasonable price at only $250. Each of their specified ceremony sites are gorgeous! And, once you exchange vows at one of their ceremony sites you can then adventure to anywhere in the park you want for photos. You can find all the information about ceremony sites in Rocky Mountain National Park here. Just keep in mind that these ceremony sites are super popular, so book your spot in advance. I’d start to try to reserve it 12 months in advance if possible. Only 250 permits are issued a year with only 6 weddings allowed in the park per day, and only 2 weddings at each location per day.

Best Places to Elope in RMNP

3M Curve

Sprague Lake

Lily Lake Dock

More wedding ceremony locations in RMNP

You can have your ceremony outside the Rocky Mountain National Park, in Estes Park or Grand Lake and then go into the park for photos. The permit just for photography is only $50 and has to be secured by your photographer.

There are several places within the park that are amazing for romantic portraits. You can’t have your wedding ceremony or exchange vows or rings at any of these locations but they are a gorgeous backdrop for portraits.

Sky Pond
Chasm Lake
Dream Lake
Mills Lake
Lake Haiyaha
Trail Ridge Road
Sheep Lakes
Sprague Lake

Distance from Denver: ~70 miles
Elevation: 7,860 feet to 14,259 feet
Best season: Year round
Permit: Yes. Wedding permit for specific ceremony site required to get married in the park. Photography permit required for just portraits in the park. (Portrait permit is included with every wedding permit.)

Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs is one of the most iconic destinations in the state. It boasts stunning red rock formations that only the god’s could have created, hence the name. They don’t require a permit for small and quick ceremonies. They have a list of locations they you can use and their rules. Check out their wedding information here.

Distance from Denver: 68 miles
Elevation: 6,400′
Best season: year round
Permit: No.

Loveland Pass on the Continental Divide

Loveland Pass is one those on top of the world mountain elopement locations. If you have dreams of being above tree line and surrounded by Rocky Mountain peaks than Loveland Pass may be the perfect spot for your elopement. You just have to be careful coming from Denver or lower altitudes because it’s above 12,000 feet elevation and includes some hiking to get to the best spots. It’s an awesome spot to hike around and enjoy the views. Be sure to check the weather before you head up as it can turn in the blink of an eye and sometimes the wind can be a bit too intense. Luckily just driving down the pass road towards the west end will give you lots of other beautiful options for your intimate elopement as well.

Distance from Denver: 60 miles
Elevation:11,991′
Best season: year round
Permit: No

Indian Peaks Wilderness

Lake Isabelle is located in Brainard Lake Recreation Area in the Indian Peaks Wilderness near Ward, Colorado. The area is full of gorgeous high alpine lakes, waterfalls, and wildlife. The most popular spots for elopements in this area are Lake Isabelle and Brainard Lake because they’re the easiest to get to. The summer trail to Lake Isabelle is only 5.5 miles out and back and 551 feet of elevation gain. Brainard Lake is just off the parking lot.

In the winter the parking lot right near Brainard Lake gets covered in snow and closes the road. The winter lot adds on 4+ miles round trip. For winter elopements past Brainard lake you’re very likely to need snowshoes all winter long due to the fact the area is at such a high elevation. The winter trail to Lake Isabelle is much longer and gets a lot of snow.

Distance from Denver: 52 miles
Elevation: 10,300′
Best season: Summer & Fall
Permit: Entry fee is required to get into the parking area. And parking spot reservations are required in the peak season. For Lake Isabelle you’d get the Long Lake trailhead parking area. For Brainard Lake you’d get the Brainard Lake day use area. If you hike to Lake Isabelle from Brainard Lake it adds another 2 miles (there and back) hike on a paved road.

Guanella Pass

Guanella pass is a wonderful elopement location. It’s located just south of Georgetown off i70 and north of the tiny town of Grant, Colorado off of 285 in Clear Creek County. It is a paved mountain pass that climbs to 11,670′ in elevation with gorgeous views of Mount Beirstadt, one of the busiest 14ers on the Front Range.

You can hike in the area from multiple trailheads. There are also 4×4 trails along Guanella Pass as well.

Guanella pass is closed in the winter. You can park further down and hike in but it generally requires snowshoes.

Distance from Denver: 56 miles
Elevation: 11,670′
Best season: Summer and Fall
Hike: just a walk to all locations along the pass but you can turn each one into as much of a hike as you’d like to do.
Permit: No.

Kruger Rock in Larimer County near Estes Park, Colorado

Kruger Rock has a short but steep hike at 4 miles round trip and almost 1,000 ft of elevation gain. It’s pretty much up the whole time but for the views it’s worth it. We’ll take our time with lots of breaks on the way up. No rush, it’s your day to have fun!

Distance from Denver: 63.5 miles
Elevation: 9,355′
Best season: Summer & Fall
Permit: Yes. Permit needed from Larimer County.

Officer’s Gulch

Officer’s Gulch is a gorgeous little lake right off of i70 one exit west of the western exit of the town of Frisco in Summit County. It’s popular for fishing, kayaking and camping. There is an easy walking trail that goes around the lake. It has limited parking but you can usually find a spot.

You can see part of the 10 Mile range with Peak 4 in sight and possible Ten Mile Peak from parts of the lake side.

Distance from Denver: 75 miles
Elevation: 9,478′
Best season: Year round
Hike: no, just a flat walk around the lake
Permit: No

Sapphire Point Overlook in Dillon, Colorado

Sapphire Point is one of the most popular overlooks in Colorado. It’s perfectly situated between Dillon and Breckenridge along the Dillon Reservoir. It’s along a trail but it has a beautiful little overlook surrounded in natural stones making the perfect elopement ceremony space. It can even host more guests for an intimate wedding if you were having a micro wedding in Colorado. You have to rent the space out but it’s an affordable cost of only $110. Click here for Sapphire Point Overlook reservation website and calendar. You can rent chairs and have them brought out to the point for your guests if you’d like. This rental company does this for intimate weddings at Sapphire Point often.

Distance from Denver: 74.5 Miles
Elevation: 9,500′
Best season: Year round
Permit: Normally yes, currently no. Weird rules due to covid right now. But this is a public place so without a permit you cannot kick anyone out of the overlook area.

Dillon Reservoir

There are lots of little cove and islands around Dillon Lake. It’s the perfect place to rent a boat or

Distance from Denver: 70 Miles
Elevation: 9,017′
Best season: Year round
Permit: Not for small elopements

Vail, Colorado

Vail is known for its upscale amenities, epic fall colors, and some awesome winter turns. Vail has a few good elopement places in town but most of them have a hefty fee. If you’re down to adventure outside of Vail Village then you can get to some amazing places that don’t require a venue rental or permit.

Piney Lake is 45 minutes up a beautiful dirt road to the North. You’ll want a four wheel drive just to make it easier but you’ll get beautiful, rocky peaks right up close, in all their epic glory. Piney River Ranch is open in the summer. They offer rustic cabins and host weddings on their deck. You can rent canoes or pay to use the lake with your own gear. It’s quite the beautiful and romantic location for an adventurous mountain elopement.

Shrine Pass is 25 minutes from Vail. It’s a beautiful red gravel road that leads to Redcliffe, Colorado. With views of the Gore range and lots of space to explore Shrine Pass is a great location for an adventurous elopement in Colorado.

There are pull-offs between Avon and Wolcott that have some beautiful roads leading to high up views of the surrounding mountain ranges.

The Gore Range Trails: if you’re looking to put in a little extra effort you can hike up a few miles into some of the backcountry trails and get those epic Rocky Mountain vibes.. The trails in this area are lined with wildflowers and creeks. The dark grey rock of the Gore Range is predominant among the peeks.

Holy Cross Event Deck: located up on Vail mountain. It’s rented by Vail events and accessed with a gondola ride for you and your guests. The gondola takes up to an outdoor deck with stunning ‘top of the world’ views looking out over the gore range.

Distance from Denver: 96.7 miles
Elevation: 9,603′
Permit:

Twin Lakes, Colorado

Distance from Denver: 122 miles
Elevation: 9,603′
Permit:

Buena Vista, Colorado

Distance from Denver: 122.6 miles
Elevation: 7,965′
Permit: No

mountain Elopement locations Within an hour of Denver

These places to elope are closest to Denver but that also means they’ll be the most crowded places. I only suggest these locations on weekdays at sunrise. Otherwise, you’re sure to be surrounded by guests that you didn’t invite.

Lookout Mountain in Golden, Colorado

Lookout Mountain is located above the historic town of Golden, Colorado. It’s a popular spot for tourists and locals because it’s only 30 minutes from the city but gives you all the mountain feels. Since Lookout Mountain is the first mountain next to the plains you get great views looking east, over Denver’s cityscape. This location is ideal for just the couple, or the couple and 1-2 guests max. It’s not a large space on a mountain-side with some exposure.

Lookout Mountain is a great spot for winter elopements who aren’t always wanting a ton of snow but want mountains. It’s an easier mountain to access in the winter but can be slippery with ice so always wear additional footing like micro-spikes.

Best Season: Year Round
Miles from Denver: 19 miles
Elevation: 7,379′
Permit: Yes. Must fill out at least 5 days prior and will need to submit proof of general liability insurance.

Permit Info

Permit Application: https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/office-of-special-events/film.html
Contact:
Nneka Johnson | Special Events Liaison
Office of Special Events, City and County of Denver
Direct 720.913.1598 l Office 720.913.1501 l
Nneka.johnson@denvergov.org

Lost Gulch Overlook in Boulder, CO

Lost Gulch Overlook on Flagstaff Mountain in Boulder is another great spot for an elopement ceremony in Colorado. It has gorgeous sweeping views and you stand on a large, rocky outcropping with cliffs that you would not want to fall off of. It’s a popular hang out spot and pretty popular with the tourists as well. But most people are really nice when they see a bride in her wedding dress. But it is not a place you can reserve so they do have a right to be there as well. You will need a photography permit for OSMP but your photographer will have to apply for it as they ask for proof of general liability insurance.

Miles from Denver: 32.8 miles
Elevation: 7,333′
Permit: Yes. A permit from Boulder’s OSMP is required for Lost Gulch Overlook. During covid you must also email the permit contact to make a reservation for the location, date and time you’d like. They are limiting special use of the areas so to continue social distancing.
Permit Application: https://bouldercolorado.gov/osmp/apply-for-a-commercial-use-permit

Mt Falcon West in Indian Hills, Colorado

Mount Falcon West is a popular spot for hiking and photo sessions alike. It’s got tall grass, pine trees, and big boulders with view mountain views.

Distance from Denver: 27.2 miles
Elevation: 7,847′
Permit: Yes
Permit Application: https://jeffco.us/open-space/permits-and-reservations/

Evergreen, Colorado

Evergreen is a great little mountain town that is less than an hour from Denver. It has lakes like Evergreen Lake that are a great place to rent paddle boards and walk along the boardwalk that runs above the lake near the lake house.

Mestaa’Ėhehe Pass: {as seen in the photo above (formerly Squaw Pass)} is located in the Arapaho National Forest between Evergreen and Idaho Springs. It connects the two towns along a beautiful high alpine mountain road where you can find gorgeous views, Aspen trees, wildflowers, lakes and lots of lookouts. It’s an awesome area to explore for an adventure elopement and is open year round. But like most of Colorado’s high mountain passes it has very tight turns, lots of wildlife and bikers so be sure to take it slow, especially in the winter.. You can often find herds of elk migrating through near Evergreen. In the winter time, the road can be iced over so another friendly reminder to take the turns super slow.

Echo Mountain: a small ski resort that also has a fun snow tubing hill. It’s the perfect stop for some fun on your winter adventure. Echo Mountain can also be rented out for intimate and micro weddings. You can rent it out anytime of year even when there is no skiing or tubing. It has a deck with beautiful mountain views and indoor space to host a small event. It’s the perfect venue to host an intimate dinner after a more adventurous elopement ceremony at another location along the pass.

Chief Mountain Trail: is the perfect trail if you’re looking for an easy hike and a peak. You do climb quite a little bit in a just over a mile but you’re rewarded with 360 degree views at the top of an 11,700′ mountain. You can see Mt. Evans in the distance in one direction and the eastern planes in the other. Sunrise is especially epic on top of the this mountain. It’s also recommended for an elopement as it’s a very popular trail with little parking along the road.

Distance from Denver: 32.9 miles
Elevation: 9,790′
Best season: year round
Permit: No

St. Mary’s Lake and St Mary’s Glacier in Idaho Springs, Colorado

St. Mary’s Lake is located in Idaho Springs less than an hour from Denver. It’s a half mile hike to the lake and only another half mile hike up to the glacier. The lake is mostly walkable shoreline and perfect for a picnic This location is best at sunrise or sunset ceremonies on weekdays because it’s so popular with the tourists. It’s the perfect location if you want to pack in some paddle boards.

Distance from Denver: 43.9 miles
Elevation: 11,236′
Permit: No
Hike: Yes. 807′ elevation gain in just under a mile to the glacier above the lake and totally worth the views at sunrise! It’s an easy half of that to just get to the shore of the lake.

Elopement photographer based in the Rocky Mountain Region of Colorado

Telluride | Silverton | Wolf Creek | Ouray | Durango | Silverthorne | Breckenridge | Steamboat Springs | Vail | Aspen | Keystone | Rocky Mountain National Park | Sand Dunes National Park | Black Canyon of the Gunnison