Best Places to Elope in Colorado
Why Should I Elope in Colorado?
Colorado is one of the best locations in the US to get married and to elope, especially if you love the outdoors. With so many diverse activities, there is bound to be something in this state to catch your fancy. Moving to Colorado was one of the best decisions my husband and I ever made simply because of our love for the outdoors and adventures. For the first year we did a bunch of mini road trips around the state, exploring known and unknown spots for beautiful scenery and unmatched adventure.
Colorado elopements fall into a few different categories. You can choose a city elopement with a super eclectic mix of music, beer and culture. If you love the outdoors, there are so many options for adventurous hiking and scenery based on seasons and locations from the desert to snowy mountain tops. And finally, you can choose the more relaxed route and find a gorgeous mountain lodge complete with all of the amenities to get married at. My favorites have hot tubs and wine. ;)
No matter what kind of elopement you choose, Colorado is ripe with awesome places to get married. The places mentioned in this list are by no means the only spots. So grab your notebook and start dreaming of the perfect ideal wedding day. Let’s get into some of the locations you can choose for a Colorado wedding.
Best Locations for a Colorado Elopement
Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the top rated national parks in the USA, located about an hour north of Denver. The striking beauty of the landscape makes it easily one of the most sought after destinations for nature lovers. While RMNP is extremely busy, there can be some options for a more relaxed, out of the way elopement ceremony. One of the more popular attractions of the park is Trail Ridge Road with ascends to over 12,000 feet in elevation. Things to note about elopements in Rocky Mountain National Park: Trail Ridge Road closes for the winter seasons, the park is extremely popular and will be busy especially in the summer, pets are only allowed on paved roads and in campgrounds but not on any hiking trails, and there is a $300 permit required for your day, location and time.
Denver City Elopement
Denver, Colorado is a mesh of eclectic music, good craft beer, and awesome people. If you prefer the more urban style of elopement or just love gallivanting in cities, Denver has some great pull to be your elopement location. If you plan to elope with some close family and friends, a few great venues include Moss Denver and Mile High Station. There are a bunch of great activities to do downtown, including checking out the local breweries, getting photos in front of the Daniels & Fisher Clock Tower, and eating awesome food in the Denver Milk Market. Things to note about elopements in Denver Colorado: Denver is a city so be prepared for people and traffic, Union Station (a popular spot downtown) requires permits but they are free and it would be a good idea to check any locations you choose for permits, and there are some awesome AirBnBs in the area for that old historic feel.
3. Great Sand Dunes National Park Elopement
If you love desert sand dunes, this is the location for you! I’m obsessed with this park, not only because it was the first spot I photographed in Colorado. Due to high winds in a vast valley, these sand dunes developed right next to large mountains. You can see snow on top of mountain peaks right next to this desert sand. It’s a visually striking and a super fun adventure destination in Colorado. I love renting sleds to race down the sand dunes or taking an epic backpacking adventure. Things to note about elopements in the Great Sand Dunes National Park: There is a permit fee of $100 to get married in the park, and seasons can also effect the landscape so be sure to plan ahead.
4. Garden of the Gods Elopement
Garden of the Gods is a national landmark located south of Denver near the Colorado Springs area. With sandstone rock formations in front of snowy peaks, the landscape is definitely something to behold. There’s a bunch of hiking trails and fun things to do around the park. It is close to the city, so this is another location that can get very busy. Things to note about Garden of the Gods Elopements: There is no charge currently for wedding permits, however this might be changing, so it is always a good idea to check up on the permit information before you plan a wedding there.
5. Lost Lake or Brainard Lake Elopement
Lost Lake is a two mile hike to one of the most striking alpine lakes in Colorado, and is a great option for a more out of the crowd elopement locations. Located just outside of Nederland, Colorado, Lost Lake is about 1.5 hours out of Denver. Brainard Lake is another great front range option at the same driving distance located near Ward, Colorado. Brainard Lake doesn’t require any hiking and is easily accessible for those with disabilities or difficulties on rough terrain. Things to note about Lost Lake or Brainard Lake Elopements: The season can directly effect the access to these locations and are best visited in the summer or fall. There can be parking fees associated with the hikes.
6. Loveland Pass Elopement
Loveland Pass elopements offer the grand top of the mountain views for your wedding day and is generally open all year round, even during the snowy winter season. There are no permits or rental fees for this easily accessible outdoor location. It is also another popular location for elopements, and parking can be hard to find on the weekend. Things to note about Loveland Pass Elopements: Loveland Pass can be covered in snow from October to July so plan accordingly, extra layers would be welcome. I also recommend you choose a weekday to avoid the crowds.
7. Maroon Bells Elopement
Maroon Bells is another extremely popular location for elopements due to its incredible mountain beauty. The spot is located just outside of Aspen Colorado, and has an easy bus from the town to the park. The landscape is definitely the attraction and there are a few awesome trails to check out around there. Things to note about Maroon Bells Elopement: There is a permit required and is usually under $150.
BONUS Location : Moab Elopement
Just over the western border of Colorado, about 2 hours outside of Grand Junction, lies another awesome location to get married at: Moab. Moab is that red rocky landscape, perfect for that desert or rock climbing adventurer. It is certainly on my bucket list and would be a great spot for anyone looking to get dirty!
More Locations to Consider
Lost Gulch Overlook
Vail Wedding Deck
Aspen Wedding Deck
Sapphire Point
Lookout Mountain near Golden, CO
Red Rocks Amphitheater
Castlewood Canyon State Park
Golden Gate State Park
Snow Mountain Ranch
Midnight Ranch
The Victorian in Steamboat Springs
Kepler Pass near Crested Butte
And so much more!
Colorado Elopement Ideas & Tools
Below are some of favorite ideas for elopement day itineraries and the tools to help you plan your perfect day. Reach out to me for more details or to plan one of these with me!
Colorado Elopement Ideas
Ski Slope Elopement
Pick from one of the top ski resort towns in the US and most likely it will be in the Colorado mountains. There are an abundance of areas to go skiing in Colorado and the lodges and resorts are stock full of ideas and amenities to help with that! Choose between eloping on the slopes in Vail or skiing down to a ceremony in the resort in Breckinridge.
Brewery Tour Elopement
Colorado is known as the craft brewery capital of the US. Hop in the Land Rover with me and I’ll take you on a customized tour of all the best breweries in the state. From the iconic New Belgium Brewery in Fort Collins, to Breckinridge Brewery in the mountains, we can get specific about your favorite beers and craft a unique brewery tour full of tasting, tours, and fun activities. There are over 200 breweries in Colorado alone, so there is no shortage of good times to be had!
Colorado Nature Elopement
Pick to elope in one of the amazing parks here in Colorado that’s easily accessible or find a small 4 mile hike into the woods. Colorado is diverse in its landscapes and offers the best in nature weddings. Get outside, get remote, and create an amazing outdoor experience for you and your guests (or not). There are so many options that it can get overwhelming, but hopefully this guide gave you some ideas for spots to appreciate nature while saying your vows.
Colorado Mountain Lodge Wedding
For the more luxury experience, choose one of Colorado’s amazing lodges in the mountains. Enjoy the beautiful landscapes but also get that spa moment in the hot tub. Some of my favorite lodges in Colorado include Devil’s Thumb Ranch, the Lodge & Spa at Breckenridge, and Della Terra in Estes Park. Sip on some wine on your balcony and enjoy the mountain scenery. Reach out to me if you’re looking for more lodge locations.
Ghostly Elopement in Estes Park
Go on a ghost tour at The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, the inspiration for the movie The Shining, and stay in one of their haunted rooms. Grab a whiskey at the bar, eat good mountain food and fudge down in the small town, and take a small day hike in the surrounding mountains.
Adventure Hiking Elopement
Choose the ultimate epic backpacking adventure elopement in the Colorado mountains. Pick a two day (or more) hiking elopement into the back country to really get remote and intimate with each other without the distraction of anyone else on your wedding day. There is an abundance of wild locations to explore in the state, and no shortage of epic adventures to be had. Don’t forget all of your backpacking gear and equipment.
My Favorite Colorado Elopement Tools
For location scouting, use Google Earth Pro to pick out the best outdoor locations for you elopement. Don’t forget the gear you will need in these rugged landscapes by going to your local outfitters, or rent the gear from REI. Try googling the seasons for Colorado to tell the peak times to visit. AirBNB also offers some unique accommodations in Colorado if you need them!
I hope this guide helps you with finding the Best Locations to Elope in Colorado.
Remember, you can reach out to me to help you customize and create the most amazing wedding experience in Colorado. I craft and organize everything from doing more in depth location scouting, to helping pick out the details you want for that perfect day.
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