Best Places to Elope in Colorado
A Local’s List
Discover The Best Places To Elope In Colorado
Insider Tips And Top Picks From A Colorado Local
Colorado – where couples come to elope in some of the best places nature has to offer. I’m talking turquoise blue alpine lakes, quaint mountain towns, waist high wildflowers, mountainsides covered in what looks like fairy dust when the seasons change, and really big mountains, like, realllly big. I get why you landed on this page – you’re looking to elope and you want to know some the best places to do it. I’m Kelly – I live in Colorado and have photographed and helped couples elope full time for 4 years now, and I’m here to give you what you came here for – a list of the best places to elope in Colorado.
In this guide, i’ll list out places i’ve photographed, as well as some places I haven’t yet (but dying to!). I’ll break it down by city, and some exact locations, even go over some venues if you’re eloping with family. I’ll give you all the info you need to know for each spot to help you make your decision. Things like permit requirements, how many guests that location can accommodate, costs, where exactly it is on the map, and arguably the most important – whether or not dogs are allowed.
And the good news? Whether you’re looking for a secluded place in the wilderness just for the two of you, or a more accessible location that can accommodate friends and family of any age and mobility level, there’s a perfect place in Colorado to match the wedding location of your dreams!
But first, who am I?
hi, i’m kelly! (that’s me <<<<)
Colorado is more than just beautiful backdrop for me; it’s home. The mountains play host to my everyday adventures, making me the local you’ve been looking for. Whether it’s hiking in the front range, or exploring the turquoise blue lakes in the San Juan’s, I’ve got the experience to lead you through both the natural wonders and the perfect shots for your Colorado elopement.
Although I’m not originally from Colorado, the mountains called to me and now I call them home. Grand Junction, CO is my home now! Just 30 miles from the Utah border, an hour and a half from Moab, and an hour and a half from Telluride, two hours from Breckenridge – I could keep going but I just love how it’s the perfect “junction” (see what I did there). It’s the best. I couldn’t think of a better place to call home, and to work and play!
This business has become so much more than a job and I feel truly honored to call so many clients my friends. It would be a pleasure to work with you and your soon-to-be spouse as we plan and execute your dream Colorado elopement in the places I now call home.
These Are The Best Places To Elope In Colorado
Sapphire Point Overlook
San Sophia Overlook
Bridal Veil Falls
Officers Gulch
Estes Park
Map Location
Ouray
Starting off with my personal favorite place to take my couples, Ouray, Colorado, which is now most famously known as “the Switzerland of America.” This former mining town has everything Colorado has to offer. Waterfalls, alpine forest, 4×4 roads that offer access to amazing natural settings, wildflowers that are waist high, turquoise blue alpine lakes, and endless mountain views for the perfect mountain backdrops for your elopement pictures. And it all sits just right outside of the town of Ouray, so you don’t have to travel too far away from where you can stay.
Best time of year
Summer. For those who love wildflower meadows, and the lush greenery the summer season has to offer, Ouray is where you want to elope!
Best time of day
If you’re planning to elope on the weekend, sunrise will be the best time to elope in Ouray to guarantee privacy.
No. of guests
10 guests
Cost to elope
Most national forest lands are free
Closest airport
Montrose Regional Airport
Elevation
The town of Ouray sits at 7,792′
Accessibility
Most public lands to elope at in Ouray are not wheelchair accessible
Dogs allowed
Yes
Bathroom
Not always
Free Resources for your Ouray Elopement
Jane + Brett’s Elopement in Ouray
Holly + Mason’s Elopement in Ouray
Map Location
Telluride
Next up, my second favorite place to take my couples, is Telluride, Colorado. You don’t need to go far from town to get incredible mountain backdrops for your elopement here. Home to iconic places like Bridal Veil Falls, Black Bear Pass, and Blue Lakes, it offers quite the variety for any adventure wedding or elopement.
Best time of year
Summer of Fall. In the summer, the waterfalls are roaring and make for great pictures. In the fall the aspens turn the mountainsides into a sea of fall foliage that is hard to beat!
Best time of day
If you’re planning to elope on the weekend, sunrise will be the best time to elope in Telluride to guarantee privacy.
No. of guests
6-15 guests
Cost to elope
Most national forest lands are free
Closest airport
Montrose Regional Airport
Elevation
The town of Telluride sits at 8,754′
Accessibility
Most public lands to elope at in Telluride are not wheelchair accessible
Dogs allowed
Yes
Bathroom
Not always
Free Resources for your Telluride Elopement
Joan + Aaron’s Jeep Off-roading Telluride Elopement
Map Location
Rocky Mountain National Park
Towering mountains, forests filled with aspen trees, and awe-inspiring alpine tundra are just some of the amazing things you’ll see during your Rocky Mountain National Park elopement. Located in northern Colorado, the park is famous for its hiking trails and stunning vistas, so it’s perfect for couples who are really seeking what the state has to offer.
Best time of year
The time of year you choose an adventure elopement in Rocky Mountain National Park really depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for. In the summer the park is filled with wildflowers, the changing leaves provide stunning color in the fall, and the park looks beautiful covered in snow in the winter. The busiest time of year in the park is the time between Memorial Day And Labor Day, so be aware there might be crowds if you plan your adventure elopement in Rocky Mountain National Park during that time.
Best time of day
Golden hour (fancy photographer lingo for the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset).
No. of guests
All wedding parties in the park are limited to thirty people. This includes the couple, the photographers, the officiant, and the guests.
Cost to elope
$300 for all necessary permits, plus $30 per car entry fee.
Closest airport
Denver International Airport
Elevation
7,860 feet to 14,259 feet
Accessibility
Many trails in the park are wheelchair accessible.
Dogs allowed
No
Bathroom
Yes
Free Resources for your Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement
Sprague Lake Wedding and Elopement Guide | The Ultimate Resource for Couples
Bear Lake Wedding and Elopement Guide – The Ultimate Resource for Couples
Estes Park Elopement Guide
A Few More Locations I Haven’t Photographed Yet!
These are a few locations that I really wanted to include in The Best Places to Elope in Colorado list that I haven’t photograhed at yet. So if you have your heart set on one of these 4 below, shoot me a message and let’s start planning. I’d love to shoot here!
Chautauqua Park
Chautauqua Park is one of the most popular trailheads in the entire city of Boulder, and for good reason – it has amazing hiking trails and stunning views that make it perfect for a Colorado elopement location.
Best time of year
The time of year you choose an adventure elopement in Rocky Mountain National Park really depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for. In the summer the park is filled with wildflowers, the changing leaves provide stunning color in the fall, and the park looks beautiful covered in snow in the winter. The busiest time of year in the park is the time between Memorial Day And Labor Day, so be aware there might be crowds if you plan your adventure elopement in Rocky Mountain National Park during that time.
Best time of day
Golden hour (fancy photographer lingo for the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset).
No. of guests
All wedding parties in the park are limited to thirty people. This includes the couple, the photographers, the officiant, and the guests.
Cost to elope
$300 for all necessary permits, plus $30 per car entry fee.
Closest airport
Denver International Airport
Elevation
7,860 feet to 14,259 feet
Accessibility
Many trails in the park are wheelchair accessible.
Dogs allowed
No
Bathroom
Yes
Dunton Hot Springs
Dutton Hot Spring is a 19th-century ghost town located in southwest Colorado. It combines an amazing glimpse of the state’s history with stunning natural surroundings. From waterfalls and rivers to towering mountains and the hot springs that give the town its name,
Best time of year
Winter, to see the town and surrounding mountains covered in snow and the gorgeous frozen waterfalls, and to enjoy the hot springs.
Best time of day
Sunrise
No. of guests
Up to 60
Cost to elope
$2,800 for a single-day elopement ceremony.
Closest airport
Montrose Regional Airport
Elevation
8,600 feet
Accessibility
Yes
Dogs allowed
No
Bathroom
Yes
Lost Gulch Overlook
From alpine forests to mountain views, Lost Gulch Overlook is an amazing elopement venue in nature with something for everyone. Located on Flagstaff Mountain in Boulder, Lost Gulch Overlook is easy to access and full of amazing places to discover.
Best time of year
Lost Gulch Overlook offers stunning views year-round, but only the truly adventurous should plan for a winter elopement at Lost Gulch Overlook since the terrain gets easy and requires advanced hiking skills!
Best time of day
Sunrise, for the best light and to avoid crowds
No. of guests
No guests are permitted for elopements at Lost Gulch Overlook.
Cost to elope
$50 for necessary permits.
Closest airport
Denver International Airport
Elevation
7,600 feet
Accessibility
Yes
Dogs allowed
Yes
Bathroom
Yes
Horsetooth Reservoir
A gorgeous reservoir surrounded by dense alpine forests makes Horsetooth Reservoir one of the most scenic wedding venues in Colorado! It’s a popular site, so there might be crowds, but there are also plenty of places where a couple can sneak away for a secluded and intimate ceremony.
Best time of year
Crowds at Horsetooth Reservoir tend to be quite large in summer, so I would recommend a spring or autumn elopement.
Best time of day
Sunrise or sunset
No. of guests
50 to 100 guests, depending on the location.
Cost to elope
$10 for vehicle permit.
Closest airport
Denver International Airport
Elevation
5,430 feet
Accessibility
Yes
Dogs allowed
Yes, but they must be leashed
Bathroom
Yes
Mountain Passes
Colorado is home to many beautiful mountain passes, which are navigable paths through a mountain range or high ridge. Some of the more challenging Colorado mountain passes might require a 4×4 vehicle to navigate, but others are paved and can be accessed with two wheel drive vehicles! If you’re up for a journey through some rugged terrain, an elopement on a mountain pass offers amazing opportunities for gorgeous natural surroundings and unbeatable views of some of Colorado’s most majestic peaks. Mountain passes are some of my favorite locations, and some of the best places to elope in Colorado!
Guanella Pass
Loveland Pass
Black Bear Pass
Hoosier Pass
Cottonwood Pass
